The lesson
The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands—including Jersey and Guernsey—are Crown dependencies. They are not part of the United Kingdom, even though they have a close relationship with the Crown and the UK.
Each has its own government and legal system. Crown dependencies, UK countries, and British overseas territories have separate constitutional status.
Locate the UK and its neighbours
Great Britain is the island containing England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is on the island of Ireland; together the four countries form the UK (teal). The Republic of Ireland is a separate state (grey). The Isle of Man and Channel Islands are Crown dependencies outside the UK. Dots locate islands and are enlarged; internal UK country boundaries are not drawn.
Natural Earth · public domain · educational labels/layout CC0The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies. The Channel Islands include the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. They are not part of the UK, although the UK government is responsible for their defence and international relations.
Crown dependencies govern many of their own affairs. Their status is separate from that of UK countries and British Overseas Territories. They have close links to the Crown and remain outside the United Kingdom.