Scotland is the second largest country in Great Britain. It is bordered on the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean; on the east by the North Sea and on the south by England.
The national symbols are the Thistle (left) and blue flag with Saltire (Saint Andrew’s Cross) right
Area: 78,789 sq km (30,420 sq miles) including the islands. About twice the size of the Netherlands and almost the same size as South Carolina in the US. Scotland counts 787 islands from which around 130 are inhabited.
Size: Scotland measures 441 km (274 miles) from north to south. From east to west it varies from 38.8 km to 248 km. The overall coastline including the islands is 10,000 km! (69% of the total UK coastline)
Population: Around 5,2 million (january 2002)
Density: 64 people per sq km (166 per sq mile)
language: English, Scots and Gaelic
Capital: Edinburgh
Scottish cities and inhabitants: Glasgow (581,320) – Edinburgh (454,280) – Dundee (142,070) – Aberdeen (183,030) – Perth (44,820) – Inverness (44,220) – Stirling (42,710)
Major towns and inhabitants: Paisley – 74,100, East Kilbride – 73,200, Livingston – 54,740, Cumbernauld – 50,480, Hamilton – 48,900, Kirkcaldy – 48,630, Dunfermline – 46,430, Ayr – 46,070, Kilmarnock – 44,390
Politics:
Queen (of the UK): Queen Elizabeth II
First Minister of Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon
Currency: Pound Sterling consisting of the following coins: 1p,2p,5p,10p,20p,50p,£1,£2 and notes: £5, £10, £20, £50, £100
In most countries, the issue of banknotes is the prerogative of the government and its central bank. In Scotland, however, for historical reasons three of the Scottish banks continue to exercise a privilege which first came about in the 17th century. These banks and their notes are the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Clydesdale Bank
Religions: Majority of the people (3,3 million) are christian. Churches: Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), Scottish Episcopal Church, Roman Catholicism.
Highest Point: Ben Nevis 1,343m
Lowest point: Loch Morar (310 metres deep)
Longest river: River Tay 193 km
Shortest river(s): River Morar and Scavaig River on Skye, both a few hundred metres
Largest Lake: Loch Lomond 60sq km (40 km long)
Average Temperature: In January 3c, July 15c measured in Edinburgh
