Scotland is well known for its mountainous
and beautiful scenery. Much of the upland within the UK
is contained within the borders of Scotland, along with
the highest peaks, the highest mountain being Ben Nevis
(4,406 ft) the highest mountain in Britain. Scotland is
31,510 sq. miles in area; it is 274 miles long from North
to South and varies in breadth between 24 and 154 miles.
The population of Scotland is now in the region of 8.5-million.
Scotland is divided into three main regions; the Highlands,
the Midland Valley and the Southern Uplands. The cities
of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee together with numerous
towns, including most of the population and the majority
of Scotland's industry is located within the Midland Valley.
This broad valley averages 50 miles across and runs WSW
to ENE across the centre of the country. It is geologically
distinct from the surrounding regions, being composed
of Devonian Old Red Sandstone, peppered with ancient volcanoes,
as against the older sedimentary rocks forming the Southern
Uplands or the ancient metamorphic melange, comprising
the Highlands to the north.
Scotland includes 787 islands, of which most belong to
groups known as the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. Only
62 exceed three square miles in area. Of 26 rivers flowing
directly into the sea, the most significant are The Rivers
Clyde, The Forth and The Tay, all of which open into significant
estuaries and support three of the major cities of Scotland
(Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee respectively).
The official language is English, although Gaelic is spoken,
primarily in the North and West of Scotland. The Scots
language (which has many similarities to English, but
also draws on French and Gaelic) is also spoken. Whereas
Gaelic is the language of the Highlands & Islands,
Scots is the language of the Lowlands.
Government in Scotland is in four tiers. A new Scottish
Parliament was elected in 1999, following devolution
of powers from the United Kingdom Parliament in London,
and this is the first time Scotland has had its own
parliament in 300 years. The Scottish Parliament, which
sits in Edinburgh, is responsible for most aspects of
Scottish life, although he national parliament in Westminster
(London) retains responsibility for areas such as defence,
foreign affairs and taxation. The European Parliament
in Brussels (Belgium) exercises certain powers vested
in the European Union, and as avid supporters of the
Union Scotland is happy to accept the rules and regulation
thrust upon it by Brussels.
The Scottish Parliament led by a “First Minister”,
is supported the Scottish Executive also based in Edinburgh.
A Secretary of State for Scotland remains part of the
UK Cabinet, and is supported by the Scotland Office
(previously the Scottish Office) based in Glasgow, with
offices in Edinburgh and London.
Scotland has its own legal system, judiciary and an
education system which, at all levels, differs from
that found "south of the border" in England
and Wales. Scotland also has its own banking system
and its own banknotes. Edinburgh is the second financial
centre of the UK and one of the major financial centres
of the world. Although the coinage is different to England
and Wales, visitors will be relieved to learn that Scottish
currency is interchangeable with English and Welsh money,
and vice-versa
The national flower is the thistle, although the heather
which covers significant moorland areas is also closely
associated with the country, providing peat for the
fire and, along with lichens, dyes for tartan Common
throughout the highlands, islands and lowlands of Scotland,
the prickly purple thistle has been Scotland's national
emblem for centuries. This proud and regal plant, which
can grow to a height of five feet, has no natural enemies
because of the vicious spines that cover and protect
it like a porcupine.
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