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	Main Town: Lerwick Island Population: 23,300 (estimate)
	Shetland consists of more than 100 islands located 210 km (130 miles) northeast of the Scottish mainland and 77 km (48 miles) northeast of the Orkney Islands. They occupy an area of approximately 1,438 sq km (555 sq miles), are hilly, almost treeless and feature deeply indented coastlines that can vary from steep rising cliffs to sheltered sandy beaches.
	There is evidence of Bronze and Iron Age settlement on the islands, and during the 8th and 9th centuries the Vikings invaded Shetland. Following a period of Norwegian rule, the islands were granted back to Scotland in 1472, but they retained many Viking traits, including ancient traditions, customs and the Shetland dialect itself; still used today it is based on the Norse language.
	Today fifteen of the islands are occupied, Mainland being the largest, and crofting, fishing, wool production, sheep and cattle farming are mainstays of the economy. After the development of the North Sea oil fields in the 1970's the islands economy prospered, but today the largest employer on the island is the tourist industry. Holidaymakers are drawn by the islands dramatic scenery, remote location, archaeology and marine wildlife, which incorporate a rich variety of birds such as skuas, gannets, fulmars, terns, and gulls.
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