Kirkwall, capital and largest town of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, located on Mainland, the largest of the islands. Kirkwall is situated on a narrow isthmus, 2.4 km (1.5 mi) wide, which separates Kirkwall Bay on the north from the Scapa Flow sea basin on the south. The Scapa Flow basin was an important British naval base during both World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945).
Kirkwall has a cool marine climate, with temperatures averaging 4° to 10° C (40° to 50° F) in the winter and 10° to 16° C (50° to 60° F) in the summer. The area receives a large amount of cloud cover and drizzle, and the average annual rainfall is 640 to 760 mm (25 to 30 in). Grass is the primary natural vegetation.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Kirkwall Information info
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