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The Shetland Islands (sometimes historically spelled Zetland, formerly
Hjaltland) are one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland and a
Lieutenancy Area. It is a Scottish island
group between the Orkney Islands and the Faroe Islands, north of mainland Britain, with a total area
of approximately 1466km2. The administrative centre and only burgh is Lerwick.
The Shetland Islands were originally a Norwegian colony, and were pawned to the
crown of Scotland on February 20, 1472.
Many people on the islands do not feel Scottish and feel even less British, feeling closer to their Scandinavian roots.
Composition
The main island of the group is known as Mainland. Other
islands include:
- Balta, Bigga, Bressay, Brother Isle, Burra
- East Linga
- Fetlar, Fish Holm, Foula
- Gloup Holm, Gruney
- Haaf Gruney, Hascosay, Hildasay, Huney
- Lady's Holm, Lamba, Linga near
Muckle Roe, Linga near Shetland Mainland, Linga near Yell,
Little Roe, Lunna Holm
- Moul of Eswick, Mousa, Muckle Flugga, Muckle Ossa, Muckle Roe
- North Havra, Noss
- Orfasay, Out Stack, Oxna
- Papa, Papa Little, Papa Stour
- Samphrey, Sound Gruney, South Havra, South Isle of Gletness
- Trondra
- Unst, Urie Lingey, Uyea, Uynarey
- Vaila, Vementry
- West Linga, Whalsay
- Yell
The Fair Isle lies approximately halfway between Shetland and Orkney, but it
is administered as part of Shetland and is often counted as part of the island
group. The Out Skerries lie east of the main group.
Famous places
- Mousa broch
- Clickimin broch
- Jarlshof settlement
Main Industries
Language
External links
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