medieval-atlas/introductory/14

Transcription

Through much ofthe period covered by this atlas, when so many of the people got their subsistence immediately from the land, the population of Scotland has been of the order of only onetenth of that of mainland Britain .. Many factors are of course involved. However, this is in such striking contrast to the more closely comparable surface areas that it nevertheless highlights the limited land use potential characteristic of much of Scotland. This is not merely a matter of the legacies of bedrock geology and glacial processes, though these are cardinal in pro- Relief _ 250-450, about 800-1500ft c=J Below 250m, about 800ft ducing the basic pattern with its west to east as well as south to north components. Altitude is another major element, with its implications for temperature and precipitation. However, considerable areas of "harsh" lands lie not only at the level ofthe Grampian tops, but right down at sea level in the west. The phenomenon of "oceanicity" has affected Scotland's climate in ways important, throughout history, to those seeking to make their living from the land. lAM §cotiallll(ll: relief Jl41

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

None