Orkney Islands
Island group and unitary authority off the northeast coast of Scotland
Area:
1,014 sq km/391 sq mi
Towns:
Kirkwall (administrative headquarters), Stromness, both on Mainland
(Pomona)
Physical:
Group of 90 islands and inlets. The surface of the islands is irregular
and indented by many arms of the sea. Next to Mainland, the most
important of the islands are North and South Ronaldsay, Hoy, Rousay,
Stronsay, Flotta, Shapinsay, Eday, Sanday, and Westray. The highest
peak is Ward Hill in Hoy, which has an elevation of 479 m/1,572
ft. The Old Man of Hoy is an isolated stack of red sandstone 137
m/450 ft high, off Hoy's northwest coast
Features:
Skara Brae Neolithic village, and Maes Howe burial chamber; Scapa Flow;
oil terminal on Flotta
Industries:
Offshore oil, woollen weaving, wind-powered electricity generation,
distilling, boat-building, fish curing
Agriculture:
Fishing, beef cattle, dairy products
Population:
(1995) 19,900
Famous People:
Edwin Muir, John Rae
History:
Population of Scandinavian descent; Harald I (Fairhair) of Norway conquered
the islands in 876; pledged to James III of Scotland in 1468 for
the dowry of Margaret of Denmark; Scapa Flow, between Mainland
and Hoy, was a naval base in both world wars, the German fleet
scuttled itself here on 21 June 1919.
In the mid-19th century there was a big influx of farmers from
Aberdeenshire and other parts of northeast Scotland, and two world
wars also brought many others to reside permanently in Orkney.
Scapa Flow, between Mainland and Hoy, was a naval base in both
world wars, and the German fleet scuttled itself here on 21 June
1919.
Demography
The population, long falling, has in recent years risen as the islands'
remoteness from the rest of the world attracts new settlers.
Energy
Burgar Hill has the world's most productive wind-powered generator;
a 300 kW wind turbine with blades 60 m/197 ft in diameter, capable
of producing 20% of the islands' energy needs.
Archaeology
Many brochs, chambered cairns, and burial mounds remain as evidence
of prehistoric and Norse settlements. The Neolithic dwellings
of Skara Brae are important examples.
Climate
The climate of the Orkney Islands is mild, owing to the Gulf Stream.
At the season of the longest day, there is almost no darkness
for about six weeks, and during the summer solstice photographs
can be taken at midnight.
Economy
The area has a buoyant mixed economy. While the predominant industry
is agriculture and other ` community´ industries, such as fishing,
crafts, and knitwear, are important, the economic vitality of
the islands is largely attributable to the development of the
oil industry in the 1980s.
Environment
There are 34 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, five Special Protection
Areas, and one National Scenic Area.
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