English Channel.

GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October).

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

Sark: 600 (2007). Herm: 55 (2007).

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.

HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Seigneur Michael Beaumont (Sark).

The decision was taken in 2008 for Sark to be governed by a chamber of 28 elected members who will stand for office at the island's first elections in December.

Sark held its last election under the centuries-old feudal system of government in 2005. In the previous system, owners of the island's 40 tenements (divisions of land) had an automatic seat in government. The changes were made after protests that the feudal system did not square with the European Convention on Human Rights.

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

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