FACTBOX - Sark, island of bicycles and dirt tracks

(Reuters) - Nearly 450 years of feudalism have been brought to an end on the tiny island of Sark after inhabitants voted in its first full parliamentary election.

The political and judicial systems have existed since about 1565 when Queen Elizabeth handed over powers in return for the defence of the 3-mile long island from the French.

Nearly 90 percent of the 474 eligible voters cast their ballot for the 57 candidates who stood for the 28-member chamber.

Here are some other facts about the island, which sits 6 miles off the coast of Guernsey in the English Channel:

* Sark is the smallest of the four main Channel Islands.

* The Romans are believed to have been on the island, which they called Sargia, for two centuries, and it was occupied by German forces during World War Two.

* It is not part of Britain, nor is it a sovereign state.

* It has its own insular legislature, judicial system and administration but London is responsible for its defence, foreign affairs and law and order.

* Elizabeth I made the island a noble fief in 1565 to be held in perpetuity by the first seigneur, or head landlord.