Geography
Scotland is one of the four parts of the Great Britain. Scotland’s area is more than half as big as England’s. The main cities of the country are its capital Edinburgh and the main industrial center Glasgow.
Scotland is surrounded by the bracing waters of the North Sea to the east, and the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and north. There are over 700 islands, mostly in groups to the west and north.
Scotland is a beautiful country well known for its dramatic scenery of mountains and valleys, rolling hills, green fields and forests, and rugged coastline. While everyone knows the Highlands for this, Scotland is beautiful in the Lowlands, islands and the flat lands of the North-East as well.
A person from Scotland is called a Scot, or described as Scottish. The word “Scotch” applies only to things – for example, whisky, Scotch eggs, Scotch beef and Scotch Corner (a road junction leading to Scotland).
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the 13th largest financial centre in Europe and the 43rd largest in the world.
Glasgow
Politics and government
The head of state of the United Kingdom is the monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952). Scotland has limited self-government within the United Kingdom, as well as representation in the UK Parliament.
Education
University of St. Andrews is the oldest University in Scotland and third oldest in the English-speaking world
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles.
The bagpipes are a well known symbol of Scotland.
The thistle, Scotland’s floral emblem
Scotch whisky is a major contributor to the Scottish economy and is sold globally
