Shetland Islands

Shetland Islands, archipelago of about 200 islands, covering 550 sq mi (1,425 sq km) northeast of Scotland's mainland, constituting its northernmost county. Lerwick, on Mainland Island, is the chief port and administrative center. Along with the Orkneys, the Shetlands are the center of the North Sea oil industry. Fishing and cattle and sheep raising are the main occupations of the some 18,500 Scots on the 24 inhabited islands. The Shetlands are noted for their knitted woolen goods and the Shetland pony.