Orkney consists of 67 islands, situated north of the Scottish mainland and covering an area of just under 990 square kilometres. Of these some 18 are inhabited. The county has a population of approximately 19,770 of which 16,500 inhabit the main island (called the mainland) and the two south isles. There are 27 publicly funded schools, including 21 primaries and 6 secondaries. 2,929 pupils attend these schools, including 1,462 primary pupils and 1,467 secondary pupils.