Gweal, Isles of Scilly facts for kids
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Gwydhyel
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Gweal viewed from Bryher
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 Gweal
Location in Isles of Scilly
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| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 49°57′12″N 6°22′12″W / 49.9533°N 6.3700°W |
| OS grid reference | SV867152 |
| Archipelago | Isles of Scilly |
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United Kingdom
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| Civil parish | Bryher |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Gweal is a small, uninhabited island that is part of the beautiful Isles of Scilly. These islands are located off the southwest coast of England. Gweal's name comes from the Cornish language, where Gwydhyel means "place of trees."
This island is the largest of a group of seven rocky islets known as the Norrard Rocks. You can find Gweal just west of the island of Bryher.
The Name Gweal: A Look Back in Time
The name "Gweal" means "place of trees" in Cornish. This might seem a bit strange for an island that is mostly rocky and often covered by the sea during high tides.
Scientists believe that the name hints at a time long ago when the area around Gweal was much larger and not covered by water. It's thought that the sea levels were lower thousands of years ago. This would have allowed trees to grow where the ocean now covers the land. Over time, as sea levels rose, much of the land became flooded, leaving only the highest parts visible as islands today.
Gweal Today
Today, Gweal is not a place where people live. It's one of the many uninhabited islands in the Isles of Scilly. These small islands and rocks are important for local wildlife, especially for different kinds of seabirds. They provide safe places for birds to nest and rest away from people.
