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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Scilly Isles
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(also known as the Scillies, 2000 in 1991) Group of about 140 rocky islands and islets, lying approximately 45km/28m southwest of *Land's End. Legend says that they are the only part of *Lyonesse remaining above the sea. Five islands are inhabited – St Agnes, Bryher, *Tresco, St Martin's and the largest, St Mary's, on which the majority live and which contains the capital, Hugh Town. An exceptionally mild climate (because of the *Gulf Stream) has enabled the Scillies to supply winter and spring flowers to the British market. The local fauna and flora, in several cases unique in Britain, have given the islands the status of a nature reserve. The granite reef of which they are a part makes this a treacherous region for shipping; the first lighthouse was constructed with great difficulty in 1858 on Bishop Rock, about 7km/4m to the southwest of St Agnes.
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