Scotland

1. A national identity
Scotland has been part of Great Britain since the Act of Union in 1707,
Although Scotland shares many things in common with other countries of
the UK, it retains a separate national identity and is supported by separate
legal and educational systems, a national church, a parliament with wide-
ranging powers, and other national symbols and institutions.
2. Geographical characteristics
- Scotland and its offshore islands comprise the northernmost part of the
United Kingdom. The Scottish mainland is bordered on three sides by seas.
To the north and west is the Atlantic Ocean; to the east is the North Sea.
Rugged uplands separate Scotland from England to the south.
- The total land area of Scotland, including the islands, is 78,790 sq km.
- BEST KNOWN: Loch Ness, Ben Nevis mountain, a lot of ancient castles…
- The terrain of Scotland is predominantly mountainous
- Highlands is the place where Scots Gaelic, an ancient Celtic language, is
widely spoken.
3. Climate
- The climate of Scotland is subject to the moderating influences of the
surrounding seas. Temperate winters and cool summers are typical, and
extreme seasonal variations are rare.
4. The kilt and bagpipes
- The kilt is the traditional Highlands dress, worn by Scottish clansmen and
Scottish regiments. Each clan has its own type of kilt that helps to
distinguish itself from another. The tartan pattern of a Scotsman's kilt
generally relates to the clan he is descended from.
- Bagpipe is a traditional wind musical instrument using enclosed reeds fed
from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag.
5. Population
- The population of Scotland is approximately 5.4 million (2016).
- The population density is about 67.2 per km, making Scotland the most
sparsely populated of the major United Kingdom administrative divisions.
6. Major cities
- Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, is the main industrial and commercial
center in Scotland.
- Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and also the country's major
administrative and financial center.