The Islands

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 395.

Inner water bodies

The British Isles have many rivers, but they are short and, since the west coast is mountainous, most of the flow eastward. Because of the humid climate, the water-level is always high. They seldom freeze in winter. Their navigability made them important inland transport, but as they are not deep they are not navigable for large ships. Inner water bodies also serve as water supply.

The British Isles comprise about 5 thousand islands. The largest islands of the British Isles are Great Britain and Ireland. They are separated by the Irish Sea, St George's Channel and the North Channel. Among the smaller islands are separate islands and island groups.

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands recognize the crown but they are largely self-governing and thus not part of the United Kingdom.

The Isle of Man lies in the Irish Sea and has its own parliament, the Court of Tynwald. The British sovereign is head of state under the title Lord of Man, and is represented by a lieutenant-governor. The island issues its own currency and postal stamps, and has its own laws and legal system. Taxes and duties are levied by Tynwald. The United Kingdom government is responsible for external relations and defence of the island. The natives of the island are known as the Manx.

The Channel Islands – a group of small islands, dependencies of the British Crown, in the English Channel, off the coast of Normandy, France.

The Isles of Scilly are in south-western England, in the Atlantic Ocean. They are part of the county of Cornwall 40 km (25 mi) south-west of Land's End. The group consists of about 140 small islands and rocks, with a total area of about 16 sq km (6 sq mi). Only five of the islands are inhabited.

The Isle of Wight in the English Channel is diamond shaped. It has one of the most pleasant climates in Britain, usually enjoying high temperatures and long hours of sunshine in summer, while the winters are rarely excessively cold. The climate was, in fact, responsible for the growth of many of the seaside resorts.

Anglesey lies in the Irish Sea. It is part of Wales and is connected to the mainland by 2 bridges. With an area of 276 square miles, Anglesey is the largest Welsh island, and the fifth largest surrounding Britain.

The island also has the village with the longest official place name in the United Kingdom, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. The name is Welsh for "St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio of the red cave".

to the mainland by 2 bridges.ted

To the north of Scotland lie the Hebrides (Inner and Outer), the Orkneys and the Shetlands.

The Hebrides are divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides which are separated from each other by the Sea of Hebrides and the Minch.

The largest of the Inner Hebrides, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel is Skye. Skye is mostly mountainous. The chief occupations are fishing and sheep- and cattle-raising, and the production of Talisker Whisky. It is also a popular tourist resort. Skye is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge.

The Orkney Islands are a sizeable group of islands lying to the north of mainland Scotland. The isles are mainly farmland but also serving as a base for the sea oil industry.

The Shetlands – lie further north of the Orkneys. It is the most northerly region of the British Isles. The islands are hilly and almost treeless, with deeply indented coastlines. Only 15 are inhabited.