Orkney Islands

July 5, 2023

An iconic Orkney Islands is looking at ways to split off from the U.K. and potentially become a self-governing territory of Norway.

About Orkney Islands:

  • It is an archipelago consisting of 70 individual islands, of which only 20 are inhabited.
  • The Orkney Islands can be found roughly 10 miles off the north coast of Scotland.
  • The islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times and are home to numerous archaeological sites, including Neolithic stone circles, chambered tombs (such as Maeshowe).
  • The four monuments that make up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney are unquestionably among the most important Neolithic sites in Western Europe.
  • These are the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe and Skara Brae.
  • Heart of Neolithic Orkney is designated as UNESCO world Heritage site.

What is archipelago?

  • An archipelago is a term used to describe a group or chain of islands that are closely scattered in a body of water, such as a sea, ocean, lake, or river.
  • These islands are typically formed through geological processes such as volcanic activity, tectonic movements, or the accumulation of sediment.