TOPIC OF THE DAY: British dependencies - the remnants of the old Empire British dependent territories (crown dependencies/overseas territories) seem to be all the rage at the moment. There have been recent shows on TV about Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, I have been doing a little personal research of my own on the Channel Islands, I think about the Isle of Man occasionally, and Mums in Bermuda right now. So heres a little lesson, or rather a few tidbits, about BRITISH DEPENDENCIES. - British dependencies are NOT part of the UK but they are self-governing states under the British crown (Monarchy). Among them, only Gibraltar is in the EU. - The total population of all the British dependencies combined is about 350.000. (Source: Wikipedia) - In British dependencies, it is the norm to drive on the left on two-way streets, except in Gibraltar, where it has been the norm to drive on the right since 1927. - Right of residence in the UK or even citizenship of the UK (British citizen status as defined by the Nationality Act 1981 effective 1 January 1983) does NOT confer residency or work rights in the dependent territories, and there is even a specific warning to this effect in the notes at the front of British passports (section 3, second sentence). The only non-EU dependencies which allow no-questions-asked residency of those with right of residence in the UK are Alderney and the Isle of Man. - During WW2, the Nazis invaded the Channel Islands, and there are still plenty of German fortifications present as reminders. In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands until British troops successfully repelled their invasion during a brief war. - In many British dependencies, the currency used is mainly GBP or a local non-fiat proxy in lieu thereof, but some, particularly in the West Indies, may prefer USD or another local currency instead. - The least populous British dependency is Pitcairn with a population of about 47. - Tristan da Cunha is a subdependency of St Helena, with a population of about 300. There has never been a documented homicide on the island throughout all of its known populated history. - There are no private cars on the Channel Islands of Sark and Herm (subdependencies of Guernsey). Alderney allows cars (35 mph max but seat belts not mandatory!) but its a bit of a pain getting them on and off the island AFAICS. Just a few trivialities about British dependencies that I know or found out. :)
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:44:53 +0000
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