The Shetland Islands (sometimes historically spelled Zetland, formerly Hjaltland) are one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland. It is a Scottish island group between the Orkney Islands and the Faroe Islands, north of mainland Britain, with a total area of approximately 1469km². The administrative centre and only burgh is Lerwick.

The Shetland Islands were originally a Norwegian colony, and were pawned to the crown of Scotland on February 20, 1472.

The main island of the group is known as Mainland. Other islands include:

• Bressay, Burra
• Fetlar, Foula
• Mousa, Muckle Flugga, Muckle Roe
• Noss
• Papa Stour
• Trondra
• Unst
• Vaila, Vementry
• Whalsay
• Yell

Famous places:

• Mousa broch
• Jarlshof settlement

• Crude oil and Natural gas production
• Agriculture
• Fishing

• The older Norn was replaced by Scots which in turn is being replaced by Scottish English.