Atlantic OceanGuernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, United Kingdom and Ireland

54°00′N 4°00′W

British Isles

Chart

12014 landforms

Overview

The British Isles are an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-western coast of continental Europe, consisting of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland), and over six thousand smaller islands. They have a total area of 315,159 km2 (121,684 sq mi) and a combined population of almost 75 million, and include two sovereign states, the Republic of Ireland (which covers roughly five-sixths of Ireland) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Channel Islands, off the north coast of France, are normally taken to be part of the British Isles, even though geographically they do not form part of the archipelago. Under the UK Interpretation Act 1978, the Channel Islands are clarified as forming part of the British Islands, not to be confused with the British Isles. The oldest rocks are 2.7 billion years old and are found in Ireland, Wales and the north-west of Scotland. During the Silurian period, the north-western regions collided with the south-east, which had been part of a separate continental landmass. The topography of the islands is modest in scale by global standards. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain, rises to only 1,345 metres (4,413 ft), and Lough Neagh, which is notably larger than other lakes in the island group, covers 390 square kilometres (151 sq mi). The climate is temperate marine, with cool winters and warm summers. The North Atlantic drift brings significant moisture and raises temperatures 11 °C (20 °F) above the global average for the latitude. This led to a landscape that was long dominated by temperate rainforest, although human activity has since cleared the vast majority of forest cover. The region was re-inhabited after the last glacial period of Quaternary glaciation, by 12,000 BC, when Great Britain was still part of a peninsula of the European continent. Ireland was connected to Great Britain by the British-Irish Ice Sheet before 14,000 BC, and was not inhabited until after 8000 BC. Great Britain became an island by 7000 BC with the flooding of Doggerland. The Gaels (Ireland), Picts (northern Great Britain) and Britons (southern Great Britain), all speaking Insular Celtic languages, inhabited the islands at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. Much of Brittonic-occupied Britain was conquered by the Roman Empire from AD 43. The first Anglo-Saxons arrived as Roman power waned in the 5th century, and eventually they dominated the bulk of what is now England. Viking invasions began in the 9th century, followed by more permanent settlements and political change, particularly in England. The Norman conquest of England in 1066 and the later Angevin partial conquest of Ireland from 1169 led to the imposition of a new Norman ruling elite across much of Britain and parts of Ireland. By the Late Middle Ages, Great Britain was separated into the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland, while control in Ireland fluxed between Gaelic kingdoms, Hiberno-Norman lords and the English-dominated Lordship of Ireland, soon restricted only to the Pale. The 1603 Union of the Crowns, Acts of Union 1707 and Acts of Union 1800 aimed to consolidate Great Britain and Ireland into a single political unit, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands remaining as Crown Dependencies. The expansion of the British Empire and migrations following the Irish Famine and Highland Clearances resulted in the dispersal of some of the islands' population and culture throughout the world, and rapid depopulation of Ireland in the second half of the 19th century. Most of Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom after the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Anglo-Irish Treaty (1919–1922), with six counties remaining in the UK as Northern Ireland. As a term, "British Isles" is a geographical name and not a political unit; nevertheless, there are objections to its usage in relation to Ireland due to the political interpretation of the word "British". The Government of Ireland does not officially recognise the term and its embassy in London discourages its use. "Britain and Ireland" is used as an alternative description, and "Atlantic Archipelago" has also seen limited use in academia, as has "Anglo-Celtic Isles". In official documents created jointly by Ireland and the United Kingdom, such as the Good Friday Agreement, the term "these islands" is used.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Census, cataloged

Major islands2
Minor islands435
Islets3,122
Rocks & skerries8,455

Major islands

Great Britain
Area
218,685 km²
High point
1,345 m
Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland and Wales, which comprise most of the United Kingdom.
Ireland
Area
83,553 km²
High point
1,039 m
Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially named Ireland – a sovereign state covering five-sixths of the island) and Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom – covering the remaining sixth).

Minor islands

198

Lewis and Harris
Area
2,149 km²
High point
799 m
Isle of Skye
Area
1,636 km²
High point
992 m
Mainland
Area
953 km²
High point
450 m
Isle of Mull
Area
885 km²
High point
966 m
Anglesey
Area
680 km²
High point
178 m
Islay
Area
618 km²
High point
491 m
Isle of Man
Area
571 km²
High point
621 m
Mainland
Area
531 km²
High point
275 m
Isle of Arran
Area
430 km²
High point
874 m
Jura
Area
365 km²
High point
785 m
North Uist
Area
319 km²
High point
347 m
South Uist
Area
307 km²
High point
620 m
Yell
Area
212 km²
High point
210 m
Achill Island
Area
148 km²
High point
688 m
Hoy
Area
144 km²
High point
481 m
Jersey
Area
120 km²
High point
143 m
Unst
Area
120 km²
High point
285 m
Rùm
Area
107 km²
High point
812 m
Tiree
Area
79 km²
High point
140 m
Benbecula
Area
77.7 km²
High point
124 m
Coll
Area
74.3 km²
High point
103 m
Guernsey
Area
63.6 km²
High point
110 m
Raasay
Area
62.4 km²
High point
494 m
Barra
Area
58 km²
High point
383 m
Sanday
Area
49.7 km²
High point
65 m
South Ronaldsay
Area
49.7 km²
High point
118 m
Westray
Area
48.6 km²
High point
169 m
Rousay
Area
47.2 km²
High point
250 m
Colonsay
Area
41 km²
High point
143 m
Fetlar
Area
40.5 km²
High point
159 m
Holy Island
Area
34.8 km²
High point
220 m
Stronsay
Area
33.9 km²
High point
45 m
Eigg
Area
29.7 km²
High point
393 m
Eday
Area
27.7 km²
High point
102 m
Bressay
Area
27.6 km²
High point
226 m
Shapinsay
Area
27.4 km²
High point
65 m
Valentia Island
Area
26.3 km²
High point
320 m
Scalpay
Area
24.7 km²
High point
396 m
Lismore
Area
21.8 km²
High point
124 m
Great Bernera
Area
20.4 km²
High point
79 m
Whalsay
Area
19.5 km²
High point
122 m
Ulva
Area
18.5 km²
High point
313 m
Muckle Roe
Area
17.2 km²
High point
172 m
Scarba
Area
14.5 km²
High point
449 m
Rathlin Island
Area
14.4 km²
High point
134 m
Gigha
Area
14.3 km²
High point
100 m
Luing
Area
14.2 km²
High point
94 m
Taransay
Area
13.9 km²
High point
267 m
Seil
Area
13.6 km²
High point
146 m
Foula
Area
13 km²
High point
418 m
Kerrera
Area
12.1 km²
High point
189 m
Great Cumbrae
Area
11.5 km²
High point
132 m
Canna
Area
11.2 km²
High point
210 m
Scarp
Area
10.6 km²
High point
308 m
Soay
Area
10.1 km²
High point
138 m
Berneray
Area
10 km²
Inishbofin
Area
9.9 km²
High point
89 m
Rona
Area
9.7 km²
High point
125 m
Vatersay
Area
9.4 km²
High point
190 m
Flotta
Area
9.4 km²
High point
57 m
Burray
Area
9 km²
Baleshare
Area
9 km²
Papa Westray
Area
8.6 km²
High point
46 m
Iona
Area
8.5 km²
High point
101 m
Alderney
Area
8.2 km²
High point
90 m
Fair Isle
Area
8.1 km²
High point
217 m
Papa Stour
Area
8.1 km²
High point
87 m
Pabbay
Area
7.9 km²
High point
196 m
North Ronaldsay
Area
7.7 km²
High point
22 m
Eriskay
Area
7.4 km²
High point
185 m
Grimsay
Area
7.3 km²
High point
28 m
West Burra
Area
7.1 km²
High point
63 m
Scalpay
Area
6.8 km²
High point
104 m
St Mary's
Area
6.4 km²
High point
51 m
Eilean Shona
Area
6.4 km²
High point
265 m
Mingulay
Area
6.4 km²
High point
273 m
Hirta
Area
6.3 km²
High point
430 m
Egilsay
Area
6 km²
High point
37 m
Ronay
Area
5.6 km²
High point
112 m
Sark
Area
5.3 km²
High point
114 m
Muck
Area
5.2 km²
High point
137 m
Oronsay
Area
5.1 km²
High point
93 m
East Burra
Area
5 km²
High point
81 m
Gometra
Area
4.6 km²
High point
155 m
Shuna
Area
4.5 km²
High point
90 m
Sandray
Area
4.3 km²
High point
207 m
Wiay
Area
4.1 km²
High point
102 m
Graemsay
Area
3.9 km²
High point
62 m
Vementry
Area
3.7 km²
High point
90 m
Island of Stroma
Area
3.7 km²
High point
53 m
Isle of Ewe
Area
3.6 km²
High point
68 m
Tory Island
Area
3.6 km²
High point
59 m
Isle of Noss
Area
3.3 km²
High point
181 m
Handa Island
Area
3.3 km²
High point
123 m
Island of Danna
Area
3.2 km²
High point
52 m
Tanera Mòr
Area
3 km²
High point
124 m
Wyre
Area
3 km²
High point
31 m
Tresco
Area
3 km²
High point
34 m
Vaila
Area
3 km²
High point
91 m
Hascosay
Area
2.8 km²
High point
28 m
Fara
Area
2.8 km²
High point
42 m
Trondra
Area
2.8 km²
High point
59 m
Gairsay
Area
2.7 km²
High point
100 m
Holy Island
Area
2.6 km²
High point
314 m
Vallay
Area
2.6 km²
High point
34 m
Pabbay
Area
2.5 km²
High point
171 m
Seaforth Island
Area
2.5 km²
High point
217 m
Ramsey Island
Area
2.5 km²
High point
136 m
Uyea
Area
2.4 km²
High point
50 m
Erraid
Area
2.4 km²
High point
73 m
Fuday
Area
2.3 km²
High point
89 m
Oldany Island
Area
2.3 km²
High point
102 m
Boreray
Area
2.2 km²
High point
56 m
St Martin's
Area
2.2 km²
High point
46 m
Calf of Eday
Area
2.2 km²
High point
54 m
Papa Little
Area
2.1 km²
High point
82 m
Barra Head
Area
2.1 km²
High point
193 m
Lunga
Area
2 km²
High point
94 m
Ceann Ear
Area
2 km²
High point
15 m
Gruinard Island
Area
2 km²
High point
104 m
Càrna
Area
1.9 km²
High point
170 m
Eilean Mòr
Area
1.9 km²
High point
112 m
Sanday
Area
1.9 km²
High point
59 m
Ensay
Area
1.9 km²
High point
49 m
Mousa
Area
1.8 km²
High point
43 m
Wiay
Area
1.8 km²
High point
61 m
Kirkibost
Area
1.7 km²
High point
17 m
Isle Martin
Area
1.6 km²
High point
119 m
Killegray
Area
1.6 km²
High point
45 m
Shuna Island
Area
1.6 km²
High point
71 m
Out Skerries
Area
1.5 km²
High point
43 m
Hellisay
Area
1.5 km²
High point
72 m
Flodaigh
Area
1.5 km²
Eilean Fladday
Area
1.4 km²
High point
41 m
Fora Ness
Area
1.4 km²
High point
100 m
Isle Ristol
Area
1.4 km²
High point
69 m
Sanda Island
Area
1.4 km²
High point
123 m
Faray
Area
1.3 km²
High point
30 m
Eilean Mhealasta
Area
1.3 km²
High point
77 m
Pabay
Area
1.3 km²
High point
27 m
Eilean Liubhaird
Area
1.3 km²
High point
75 m
Herm
Area
1.3 km²
High point
73 m
Garbh Eileach
Area
1.3 km²
High point
107 m
West Linga
Area
1.2 km²
High point
49 m
Longa Island
Area
1.2 km²
High point
70 m
Ceann Iar
Area
1.2 km²
High point
19 m
Priest Island
Area
1.2 km²
High point
72 m
Bryher
Area
1.2 km²
High point
42 m
Little Bernera
Area
1.2 km²
High point
37 m
Torsa
Area
1.1 km²
High point
62 m
Rona
Area
1.1 km²
High point
108 m
St Agnes, Isles of Scilly
Area
1.1 km²
High point
15 m
Eilean nan Ròn
Area
1 km²
High point
74 m
Glimps Holm
Area
1 km²
Hunda
Area
1 km²
Pabaigh Mòr
Area
1 km²
High point
65 m
Hildasay
Area
1 km²
High point
28 m
Gighay
Area
0.99 km²
High point
95 m
Soay
Area
0.97 km²
High point
376 m
Eilean Rìgh
Area
0.96 km²
High point
55 m
Ailsa Craig
Area
0.96 km²
High point
340 m
Eorsa
Area
0.96 km²
High point
94 m
Orasaigh
Area
0.91 km²
High point
22 m
Swona
Area
0.91 km²
High point
38 m
Eilean Chaluim Chille
Area
0.9 km²
High point
39 m
Cava
Area
0.89 km²
High point
36 m
Boreray
Area
0.86 km²
High point
384 m
Balta
Area
0.86 km²
High point
42 m
Fuaigh Mòr
Area
0.86 km²
High point
66 m
Bigga
Area
0.86 km²
High point
33 m
Tanera Beag
Area
0.86 km²
High point
49 m
Garbh Eilean
Area
0.85 km²
High point
160 m
Auskerry
Area
0.85 km²
High point
18 m
Muldoanich
Area
0.83 km²
High point
154 m
Samphrey
Area
0.81 km²
High point
29 m
Papa Stronsay
Area
0.8 km²
High point
10 m
Mugdrum Island
Area
0.8 km²
High point
5 m
Fuiay
Area
0.79 km²
High point
107 m
Little Colonsay
Area
0.76 km²
High point
60 m
Eynhallow
Area
0.73 km²
High point
39 m
Eilean Chearstaidh
Area
0.72 km²
High point
35 m
St Ninian's Isle
Area
0.72 km²
Hermetray
Area
0.71 km²
High point
35 m
Oxna
Area
0.71 km²
High point
32 m
Horse Island
Area
0.69 km²
High point
56 m
Gunna
Area
0.67 km²
High point
33 m
Stromay
Area
0.66 km²
High point
13 m
Eilean Tigh
Area
0.66 km²
High point
111 m
Island Macaskin
Area
0.65 km²
High point
65 m
Calve Island
Area
0.65 km²
High point
18 m
Linga Holm
Area
0.63 km²
High point
17 m
Cara Island
Area
0.63 km²
High point
51 m
Linga
Area
0.63 km²
High point
69 m
South Havra
Area
0.62 km²
High point
42 m
Texa
Area
0.61 km²
High point
50 m
Lunga
Area
0.6 km²
High point
103 m
Isle of May
Area
0.6 km²
High point
50 m
Copinsay
Area
0.6 km²
High point
67 m

Rocks & skerries

8455

On the chart above, at its closest zooms.

Listing 200 of 12014; the rest are on the chart.

Figures

Comparative heights

Islands by area

km², log scale

Groups within

Overlapping groups

Skellig Islands

Photographs

Drought in Great Britain. Image taken on August 11, 2022
Astronaut photograph ISS067-E-253753 was acquired on August 11, 2022, with a Nikon D5 digital camera using a focal lengt / Public domain
European Space Agency / Attribution
Ford at Redmire
John Walton / CC BY-SA 2.0
The former Athlone Midland station
Gareth James / CC BY-SA 2.0
Envisat satellite / CC BY-SA 3.0 igo
NOAA / Public domain
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC / Public domain
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC / Public domain
Envisat satellite / CC BY-SA 3.0 igo
Satellite pictures of British Isles at 12:50 UTC April 8, 2017
NASA, MODIS / LANCE / Public domain
Unknown author / Public domain

Sources

Facts

Geometry, areas and high points: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Copernicus GLO-30, via Talus.
Wikidata
Talus
Wikipedia

Photographs

Iss067e253753 lrg. Astronaut photograph ISS067-E-253753 was acquired on August 11, 2022, with a Nikon D5 digital camera using a focal lengt / Public domain
Cloud-free Europe ESA17486464 (British Isles). European Space Agency / Attribution
Ford at Redmire - geograph.org.uk - 4459893. John Walton / CC BY-SA 2.0
The former Athlone Midland station (geograph 5345516). Gareth James / CC BY-SA 2.0
British Isles Banner. Jim Linwood / CC BY 2.0
Volcanic ash sweeping across northern Europe. Envisat satellite / CC BY-SA 3.0 igo
Smoke from the Alberta Wildfires Reaches British Isles (NESDIS 2019-06-04). NOAA / Public domain
British Isles (MODIS 2019-09-23). MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC / Public domain
British Isles (MODIS 2018-03-01). Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC / Public domain
Great Britain and Ireland - Envisat. Envisat satellite / CC BY-SA 3.0 igo
British Isles on April 8, 2017. NASA, MODIS / LANCE / Public domain
United Kingdom satellite image bright. Unknown author / Public domain

Great Britain	218,685 km²
Ireland	83,553 km²
Lewis and Harris	2,149 km²
Isle of Skye	1,636 km²
Mainland	953 km²
Isle of Mull	885 km²
Anglesey	680 km²
Islay	618 km²
Isle of Man	571 km²
Mainland	531 km²
Isle of Arran	430 km²
Jura	365 km²
North Uist	319 km²
South Uist	307 km²
Yell	212 km²
Achill Island	148 km²
Hoy	144 km²
Jersey	120 km²
Unst	120 km²
Rùm	107 km²
Tiree	79 km²
Benbecula	77.7 km²
Coll	74.3 km²
Guernsey	63.6 km²
Raasay	62.4 km²
Barra	58 km²
Sanday	49.7 km²
South Ronaldsay	49.7 km²
Westray	48.6 km²
Rousay	47.2 km²
Colonsay	41 km²
Fetlar	40.5 km²
Holy Island	34.8 km²
Stronsay	33.9 km²
Eigg	29.7 km²
Eday	27.7 km²
Bressay	27.6 km²
Shapinsay	27.4 km²
Valentia Island	26.3 km²
Scalpay	24.7 km²
Lismore	21.8 km²
Great Bernera	20.4 km²
Whalsay	19.5 km²
Ulva	18.5 km²
Muckle Roe	17.2 km²
Scarba	14.5 km²
Rathlin Island	14.4 km²
Gigha	14.3 km²
Luing	14.2 km²
Taransay	13.9 km²
Seil	13.6 km²
Foula	13 km²
Kerrera	12.1 km²
Great Cumbrae	11.5 km²
Canna	11.2 km²
Scarp	10.6 km²
Soay	10.1 km²
Berneray	10 km²
Inishbofin	9.9 km²
Rona	9.7 km²
Vatersay	9.4 km²
Flotta	9.4 km²
Burray	9 km²
Baleshare	9 km²
Papa Westray	8.6 km²
Iona	8.5 km²
Alderney	8.2 km²
Fair Isle	8.1 km²
Papa Stour	8.1 km²
Pabbay	7.9 km²
North Ronaldsay	7.7 km²
Eriskay	7.4 km²
Grimsay	7.3 km²
West Burra	7.1 km²
Scalpay	6.8 km²
St Mary's	6.4 km²
Eilean Shona	6.4 km²
Mingulay	6.4 km²
Hirta	6.3 km²
Egilsay	6 km²
Ronay	5.6 km²
Sark	5.3 km²
Muck	5.2 km²
Oronsay	5.1 km²
East Burra	5 km²
Gometra	4.6 km²
Shuna	4.5 km²
Sandray	4.3 km²
Wiay	4.1 km²
Graemsay	3.9 km²
Vementry	3.7 km²
Island of Stroma	3.7 km²
Isle of Ewe	3.6 km²
Tory Island	3.6 km²
Isle of Noss	3.3 km²
Handa Island	3.3 km²
Island of Danna	3.2 km²
Tanera Mòr	3 km²
Wyre	3 km²
Tresco	3 km²
Vaila	3 km²
Hascosay	2.8 km²
Fara	2.8 km²
Trondra	2.8 km²
Gairsay	2.7 km²
Holy Island	2.6 km²
Vallay	2.6 km²
Pabbay	2.5 km²
Seaforth Island	2.5 km²
Ramsey Island	2.5 km²
Uyea	2.4 km²
Erraid	2.4 km²
Fuday	2.3 km²
Oldany Island	2.3 km²
Boreray	2.2 km²
St Martin's	2.2 km²
Calf of Eday	2.2 km²
Papa Little	2.1 km²
Barra Head	2.1 km²
Lunga	2 km²
Ceann Ear	2 km²
Gruinard Island	2 km²
Càrna	1.9 km²
Eilean Mòr	1.9 km²
Sanday	1.9 km²
Ensay	1.9 km²
Mousa	1.8 km²
Wiay	1.8 km²
Kirkibost	1.7 km²
Isle Martin	1.6 km²
Killegray	1.6 km²
Shuna Island	1.6 km²
Out Skerries	1.5 km²
Hellisay	1.5 km²
Flodaigh	1.5 km²
Eilean Fladday	1.4 km²
Fora Ness	1.4 km²
Isle Ristol	1.4 km²
Sanda Island	1.4 km²
Faray	1.3 km²
Eilean Mhealasta	1.3 km²
Pabay	1.3 km²
Eilean Liubhaird	1.3 km²
Herm	1.3 km²
Garbh Eileach	1.3 km²
West Linga	1.2 km²
Longa Island	1.2 km²
Ceann Iar	1.2 km²
Priest Island	1.2 km²
Bryher	1.2 km²
Little Bernera	1.2 km²
Torsa	1.1 km²
Rona	1.1 km²
St Agnes, Isles of Scilly	1.1 km²
Eilean nan Ròn	1 km²
Glimps Holm	1 km²
Hunda	1 km²
Pabaigh Mòr	1 km²
Hildasay	1 km²
Gighay	0.99 km²
Soay	0.97 km²
Eilean Rìgh	0.96 km²
Ailsa Craig	0.96 km²
Eorsa	0.96 km²
Orasaigh	0.91 km²
Swona	0.91 km²
Eilean Chaluim Chille	0.9 km²
Cava	0.89 km²
Boreray	0.86 km²
Balta	0.86 km²
Fuaigh Mòr	0.86 km²
Bigga	0.86 km²
Tanera Beag	0.86 km²
Garbh Eilean	0.85 km²
Auskerry	0.85 km²
Muldoanich	0.83 km²
Samphrey	0.81 km²
Papa Stronsay	0.8 km²
Mugdrum Island	0.8 km²
Fuiay	0.79 km²
Little Colonsay	0.76 km²
Eynhallow	0.73 km²
Eilean Chearstaidh	0.72 km²
St Ninian's Isle	0.72 km²
Hermetray	0.71 km²
Oxna	0.71 km²
Horse Island	0.69 km²
Gunna	0.67 km²
Stromay	0.66 km²
Eilean Tigh	0.66 km²
Island Macaskin	0.65 km²
Calve Island	0.65 km²
Linga Holm	0.63 km²
Cara Island	0.63 km²
Linga	0.63 km²
South Havra	0.62 km²
Texa	0.61 km²
Lunga	0.6 km²
Isle of May	0.6 km²
Copinsay	0.6 km²

Chart

Overview

Census, cataloged

Major islands

Minor islands

Berneray

Burray

Baleshare

Flodaigh