There are two chains of islands off the northern coast of Scotland. They are the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Despite their location in the North Sea, the islands' climate is described as mild oceanic. This means they have cool winters and warm summers within a narrow temperature range. The major islands of the inner archipelago include Coll, Skye, Mull, Islay and Jura (not Jura Canada).
Skye, with around 10,000 people, has by far the largest population of the Inner Hebrides. The populations of Mull and Islay are 2,800 and 3,228, respectively. At the other extreme is Rum, which can claim only 22 people living there. Tiree has a population of 653 and Eigg, 83. Much of the coastline is described as a machair, low-lying topography suitable for pastureland.
The main commercial interests of the Inner Hebrides include whisky distilling, tourism, crofting and fishing. Crofting refers to farming a small area of land. The main whisky distilling islands are Islay, Skye, Mull and Jura. These islands are heavily dependent on micro-businesses and self-employment.
By far the most populated island in the Outer Hebrides is Lewis and Harris, with a population of more than 21,000. The four next most populous islands are South Uist (1,754), North Uist (1,254), Barbencula (1,303), and Barraigh (1,174). The remaining ten populated islands have population numbers ranging from less than 10 to roughly 300. Lewis and Harris are connected to one another by a narrow isthmus. Harris is the more mountainous of the two, but also enjoys fine yellow, sandy beaches.
Like the inner islands, people in the Outer Hebrides sustain themselves with small businesses, including weaving. The islands are best known for producing the famous Harris tweed. Every aspect of its production takes place here: carding, weaving, blending, warping, dying, inspecting and finishing.
There is a mountain chain called the Juras, but these are situated in Switzerland and France, with some parts extending into Germany. Interestingly, the name is derived from the Celtic word for forest. These mountains are an example of a sub-alpine range, meaning the biotic zone at an immediately lower altitude than the tree line. In Scotland, the tree line is only 1,500 feet. The types of fauna and flora that exist in sub-alpine zones differ depending on their position on the planet.
Sub-alpine forests may also be located at much higher elevations, such as the Sumatran Montane Rainforests in Southeast Asia. This area is home to some amazing plant life, such as Rafflesia arnoldii, a flowering plant with blossoms as wide as one metre. These are the largest flowers in the world. Another striking plant, Amorphophallus titanum, grows on stalks that are two metres tall.
The Sumatran rainforest harbors interesting animals, too, including three of the most endangered species on the planet: the Sumatran rhinoceros, tiger and rabbit. The geologic history of Sumatra is intriguing. Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi were part of the super-continent of Gondwanaland until 150 million years ago, when they split off. For 70 million years, this land mass drifted northward until it collided with India and formed the Himalayas.
Skye, with around 10,000 people, has by far the largest population of the Inner Hebrides. The populations of Mull and Islay are 2,800 and 3,228, respectively. At the other extreme is Rum, which can claim only 22 people living there. Tiree has a population of 653 and Eigg, 83. Much of the coastline is described as a machair, low-lying topography suitable for pastureland.
The main commercial interests of the Inner Hebrides include whisky distilling, tourism, crofting and fishing. Crofting refers to farming a small area of land. The main whisky distilling islands are Islay, Skye, Mull and Jura. These islands are heavily dependent on micro-businesses and self-employment.
By far the most populated island in the Outer Hebrides is Lewis and Harris, with a population of more than 21,000. The four next most populous islands are South Uist (1,754), North Uist (1,254), Barbencula (1,303), and Barraigh (1,174). The remaining ten populated islands have population numbers ranging from less than 10 to roughly 300. Lewis and Harris are connected to one another by a narrow isthmus. Harris is the more mountainous of the two, but also enjoys fine yellow, sandy beaches.
Like the inner islands, people in the Outer Hebrides sustain themselves with small businesses, including weaving. The islands are best known for producing the famous Harris tweed. Every aspect of its production takes place here: carding, weaving, blending, warping, dying, inspecting and finishing.
There is a mountain chain called the Juras, but these are situated in Switzerland and France, with some parts extending into Germany. Interestingly, the name is derived from the Celtic word for forest. These mountains are an example of a sub-alpine range, meaning the biotic zone at an immediately lower altitude than the tree line. In Scotland, the tree line is only 1,500 feet. The types of fauna and flora that exist in sub-alpine zones differ depending on their position on the planet.
Sub-alpine forests may also be located at much higher elevations, such as the Sumatran Montane Rainforests in Southeast Asia. This area is home to some amazing plant life, such as Rafflesia arnoldii, a flowering plant with blossoms as wide as one metre. These are the largest flowers in the world. Another striking plant, Amorphophallus titanum, grows on stalks that are two metres tall.
The Sumatran rainforest harbors interesting animals, too, including three of the most endangered species on the planet: the Sumatran rhinoceros, tiger and rabbit. The geologic history of Sumatra is intriguing. Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi were part of the super-continent of Gondwanaland until 150 million years ago, when they split off. For 70 million years, this land mass drifted northward until it collided with India and formed the Himalayas.
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