| Islands of the British Isles & Beyond |
Britlink is an information site about the islands that make up the British Isles and those populated throughout the world be British citizens. From the Shetland Islands in the north to the Falklands and South Georgia in the south.
Find information, photos and maps about all these islands on one site.
Please note, work will continue for some time at Britlink, if you have any comments, corrections or information about any of the islands or territories please email us. |
| Britlink Site Map |
| Britlink Site Index |
| Search Britlink is powered by Freefind |
| |
| The British Isles |
There are more than 6,000 islands in the group, the largest two being Great Britain and Ireland. Great Britain is to the east and covers 216,777 km² (83,698 square miles), over half of the total landmass of the group. Ireland is to the west and covers 84,406 km² (32,589 square miles).
The largest of the other islands are to be found in the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland to the north, Anglesey and the Isle of Man between Great Britain and Ireland, and the Channel Islands near the coast of France.
The British Isles have a temperate marine climate, the North Atlantic Drift ("Gulf Stream") which flows from the Gulf of Mexico brings with it significant moisture and raises temperatures 11 °C (20 °F) above the global average for the islands' latitudes. Winters are thus warm and wet, with summers mild and also wet. Most Atlantic depressions pass to the north of the islands, combined with the general westerly circulation and interactions with the landmass, this imposes an east-west variation in climate. |
|
| |
| The Channel Islands |
Situated just off the coast of France on the edge of the English Channel, the beautiful Channel Islands, a British Crown dependency since 1066, are fiercely independent and justifiably proud of their history and traditions.
This popular tourist destination is also an attractive offshore tax haven (for many companies), and as a result the islands have a thriving financial industry.
In addition, they're known worldwide for locally grown flowers and for their prized purebred Guernsey cows.
The local language and pubs may be English, but the islands were once a part of Normandy, so many of the place names and roads, as well as the food are decidedly French.
The Channel Islands comprise two separate territories: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey, and have a total population of about 160,000. |
|
| |
| The Isle of Man |
A British Crown Dependency, the Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin in Manx) lies in the Irish Sea almost an equil distance from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. With an area of 572 km² (221 square miles) and a population of around 76,315 (2001 Census) it arguably has the "Oldest Continuous Parliament in the World" (a claim made by several other countries) - the Tynwald - supposedly founded in 979.
Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the island came under the British crown in 1765.
Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language, the native language for the Isle of Man.
English is now the only language spoken on the island.
The island is also famous for the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race, which is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man since 1907. The tailless Manx cat originated on the island. |
|
| |
| British Overseas Territories |
The British Overseas Territories are territories that are under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom, though not part of the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). Overseas territories should be distinguished from crown dependencies (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, which have a different constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom), and protectorates (which were not formally under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom).
They should also not be confused with Commonwealth realms, which are independent states sharing the same sovereign as the United Kingdom.
At one time, most crown colonies were directly administered by officials appointed by the British government.
Today, however most overseas territories are self-governingerritories, only relying on Britain for defence, foreign affairs, and some trade issues. |
|
|
