an island in the English Channel near northwest France. Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands. It is popular for holidays and famous as a place where people pay very little tax. Second largest of the Channel Islands. Area: 30.2 sq mi (78.1 sq km). Population (2002 est.): 63,000. Guernsey is situated in the English Channel just west of Normandy, France. With Alderney and Sark, Herm, Jethou, and other islets, it forms the bailiwick of Guernsey; its capital is St. Peter Port (pop., 2001: 16,448). The island was known as Sarnia to the Romans. It was home to Victor Hugo (1855-70). The Guernsey breed of cattle originated there. Breed of dairy cattle that originated on the Channel Island of Guernsey. Like the Jersey, it is thought to have descended from French cattle. Larger than Jerseys, Guernseys are fawn-colored and marked with white. Their milk has a pronounced yellow color. First exported to the U.S. in 1830, they are found also in Australia and Canada