Scotland
National Symbol and flag
Scotland is in north-west Europe and is part of Great Britain, an island country (
See map
) and the United Kingdom (UK) .
Scotland is a mountainous country in the north of the island of Great Britain and shares a land border to the south with England and is bounded by the North Sea on the east and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. Its capital city is Edinburgh.
Scotland has some 790 islands - 130 inhabited.
Its fresh water lochs (lakes) – there are over 600 square miles of them. One of the most famous is Loch Ness where a mysterious monster is said to lurk in the depths of the water.
It is also famous for its clans, kilts, medieval castles, as well as poetry and songs of Robert Burns.
Theatre lovers from around the world come to Edinburgh for its famous theatres festival.
Famous Scots include: Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, David Hume and the actor Sean Connery.
Famous musicians of Scotland include Annie Lennox, Wet Wet Wet, Travis and Simple Minds.
On 1 July 1999, the Scottish Parliament was opened by HM the Queen, the first Scottish Parliament for 300 years. Scottish parliament responsibilities include social work services, health, local government and education.
Edinburgh was the first city in the world which had its own fire-brigade.
Edinburgh – the capital of Scotland, like Rome, was built on seven hills.
Until 1603, Scotland (like England) had its own Monarch. In 1603, the King of Scotland became also the King of England ruling both countries.
Country Facts
Motto: |
Nemo me impune lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity) |
Flag: |
Cross of St Andrew |
National Day: |
30 November |
Area: |
78,789 sq km |
Population: |
5,054,800 (2002) |
Capital City: |
Edinburgh |
Major Cities: |
Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow |
Official Language: |
English (Scottish Gaelic is spoken by 1.4 percent of the population) |
Nationality : |
Scottish and British
Find out more |
Anthem (song) : |
Flower of Scotland |
Main religions: |
Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) Scottish Episcopal Church, Roman Catholicism |
Currency: |
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Highest point: |
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Lowest point: |
Bed of Loch Morar, Scotland 987 ft
(300 m) below sea level |
Longest river: |
Tay 193 kilometres (120 miles ) long |
Largest Lake: |
Loch Lomond (60 sq km)
40 km (24 miles) long |
Official Animal |
Unicorn |
Wales
Why does England dominate the UK?
What is Great Britain?
Is Britain the same as Great Britain?
Which countries are in Great Britain?
Find out about Great Britain
Where is the UK?
What countries make up the UK?
What is the official title (name) of the UK?
Why is the whole of Ireland not part of the UK?
How and why was the UK formed?
Find out about the UK
What are the British Isles?
Find out about the British Isles
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