| Name | Orkney |
| Alt names | OKI | source: Curious Fox: UK Counties and Shires [online] (2002). accessed 16 Dec 2002 | | Orcades | source: Webster's Geographical Dictionary (1988) p 900 | | Ork | source: BIAB Online (1999-2000) accessed 16 Dec 2002; UK Counties and Regions Abbreviations [web site] (1997-98) accessed 16 Dec 2002 | | Orkney Islands | source: Gazetteer of Great Britain (1999) xviii; Rand McNally Atlas (1994) I-128 | | Orkneys | source: Webster's Geographical Dictionary (1988) p 900 |
| Type | Traditional county |
| Coordinates | 59.0°N 3°W |
| Located in | Scotland ( - 1975) |
- source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
- source: Family History Library Catalog
Orkney (sometimes known as the Orkney Islands) is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles north of the coast of Caithness. Orkney consists of over 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island is known as the Mainland and has an area of 202 square miles, making it the sixth largest Scottish island and the ninth largest island surrounding the island of Great Britain. The largest settlement and administrative centre is Kirkwall.
Orkney is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, a constituency of the Scottish Parliament, a lieutenancy area, and a former county. The local council is Orkney Islands Council, the only Council in Scotland to be comprised entirely of independent members.
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