For information on electricity, religion, duty free, public holidays, health, entertainment and business, see the Guernsey section.

Sark: 5.5 sq km (2.1 sq miles). Herm: 2 sq km (0.8 sq miles).

Sark: 600 (2005 estimate). Herm: 97 (2001, including Jethou).

Sark: 109 per sq km. Herm: 48.5 per sq km.

Sark is a 45-minute boat journey east of Guernsey. It is almost two islands, the two parts being joined by a narrow isthmus known as La Coupée. The island is a plateau, with a collection of animals and plants unique to Sark. In the spring and autumn, the island becomes home to an unusual selection of migratory birds. The main village is situated at La Collinette. The coastline is rugged, with many cliffs and caves. Herm lies between Guernsey and Sark. It has lush and varied scenery, with meadows, unusual wild flowers and steep cliffs overlooking secluded coves and pounding surf.

Dependencies of the British Crown with considerable internal autonomy.
Sark has a hierarchical system. The island of Sark is a personal fief held by the Seigneur direct from the British Crown. Below him is the island’s Parliament, the Chief Pleas, with the right to a suspensory veto on its ordinances. The Seigneur appoints a Seneschal of Sark (subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey) who is President of the Chief Pleas and Chairman of Sark’s local Court of Justice, the Seneschal’s Court. The present Seigneur is Michael Beaumont and the Seneschal (or President of the Chief Pleas) is Lt-Col R J Guille.
Guernsey leases the island of Herm to Adrian and Pennie Heyworth, who are under contract as tenants to be responsible for certain administrative duties on the island.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II. Head of Government: Seigneur Michael Beaumont (Sark).

Local patois, a type of old Norman French, and English.