Lewis and Harris


Lewis and Harris,

island (1985 est. pop. 23,500), 825 sq mi (2,137 sq km), largest and northernmost of the Outer HebridesHebrides, the
, Western Isles,
or Western Islands,
group of more than 50 islands, W and NW Scotland. Less than a fifth of the islands are inhabited. The Outer Hebrides
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, Western Isles council area, NW Scotland, 24 mi (35 km) from the mainland across the Minch. The island is also called Lewis or the Lews. Harris has hilly terrain. Central Lewis is a vast, wet moor, uninhabited and unproductive. All the towns lie on the coast, and the bulk of the island's population is in Stornoway, which has a significant port, and the northern parish of Ness. Crofting, fishing, and stock raising are the main occupations. The thriving Harris tweed industry is centered in Stornoway but utilizes home looms throughout the island. Gaelic is spoken. A prehistoric monument with large stones stands at Callanish in Lewis.

Lewis and Harris

 

an island in the Atlantic Ocean, the largest island in the Hebrides Archipelago; part of Scotland (Great Britain). Area, 2,300 sq km. The primarily low-lying island has low mountains in the south, reaching an elevation of 799 m (Mount Clisham). The climate is oceanic (average January temperature, approximately 5°C; average July temperature, 12°C); the annual precipitation is more than 1,000 mm and there are frequent fogs. Meadow vegetation and peat bogs predominate on the island. Sheep breeding and fishing dominate the island’s economy. The principal port and city is Stornaway.

Lewis with Harris

, Lewis and Harris an island in the Outer Hebrides, separated from the NW coast of Scotland by the Minch: consists of Lewis in the north and Harris in the south; many lakes and peat moors; economy based chiefly on the Harris tweed industry, with some fishing. Chief town: Stornoway. Pop.: 19 918 (2001). Area: 2134 sq. km (824 sq. miles)