Scotland is a country in the northern part of Great Britain and part of the United Kingdom. It borders England to the south and has coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the North Channel.
Scotland has its own legal system, education system, church history, devolved parliament, government and national institutions. Its capital is Edinburgh and its largest city is Glasgow.
Geography
Scotland includes the Highlands, Lowlands, Southern Uplands and many islands. Major island groups include the Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.
The landscape includes mountains, lochs, glens, rivers, coastal areas and large urban regions. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles.
History
The Kingdom of Scotland emerged in the medieval period and remained an independent kingdom until the Acts of Union 1707 created the Kingdom of Great Britain with England.
Scottish history includes Pictish, Gaelic, Norse, Norman, Lowland and Highland influences. Later history includes the Reformation, Jacobite risings, Enlightenment, industrialisation, empire, devolution and debates over independence.
Government
Scotland has devolved government within the United Kingdom. The Scottish Parliament can make laws in devolved areas, and the Scottish Government is responsible for policy areas such as health, education, justice, transport, housing and the environment.
Reserved matters, including defence, foreign affairs and most immigration policy, remain with the UK Parliament and UK Government.
Economy
Scotland's economy includes public services, finance, energy, tourism, food and drink, education, life sciences, technology, manufacturing and creative industries.
Oil and gas have been important in the North Sea, while renewable energy, whisky, universities, finance and tourism are also major parts of the economy.
Culture
Scottish culture includes Scots and Scottish Gaelic language traditions, literature, music, Highland games, football, rugby, whisky, festivals and distinctive legal and educational institutions.
Writers associated with Scotland include Robert Burns, Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Muriel Spark, Irvine Welsh and many others.
See Also
References
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