Location in relation to Cornwall | |
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Atlantic Ocean, 45 km (28 mi) off the coast of Cornwall, England |
Coordinates | 49°56′10″N 6°19′22″W / 49.93611°N 6.32278°W |
Total islands | 5 inhabited, 140 others |
Major islands | St Mary's, Tresco, St Martin's, Bryher, St Agnes |
Area | 16.03 km2 (6.19 sq mi) |
Administration | |
United Kingdom | |
Status | Sui generis, Unitary |
Largest settlement | Hugh Town (pop. 1,068) |
Leadership | Cllr. Mrs. Julia Day |
MP | Andrew George |
Demographics | |
Population | (Ranked ) (2005 est.) |
Ethnic groups | 99.6% White British |
The Isles of Scilly form an archipelago off the southwestern tip of the Cornish peninsula of Great Britain.
The islands have had a unitary authority council since 1890, and are separate from the Cornwall unitary authority. Some services are combined with Cornwall and the islands are still part of the ceremonial county of Cornwall.
The islands are designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. They have been dangerous for ships, and there are 530 known shipwrecks around the archipelago.[1]