SPACEPHOTOS

Cambrian Mountains, Bristol Channel, Great Britain Winter/Spring 1997 The Cambrian Mountains can be seen extending from the north (top center of the image) southward to the Bristol Channel in this north-looking view. A rugged upland plateau, the Cambrian Mountains cover most of central Wales. The region has deep small lakes and is cut by numerous river valleys. Slightly below the center of the image, a section of the southern Cambrian Mountains known as the Brecon Beacons are visible. The Brecon Beacons are two sandstone peaks that reach an altitude in excess of 2900 feet (885 meters). The Bristol Channel, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, can be seen extending from near the right edge of the image (east) to the lower left portion of the image (west). The channel is 85 miles (135 km) long and from 5 to 50 miles (8 to 81 km) wide and separates Wales (north) from southwest England (south or bottom portion of the image). The Bristol Channel serves as a major shipping corridor for southwest Great Britain. A portion of Cardigan Bay is visible in the upper left portion of the image.