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Government: Constitutional Monarchy |
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Legislature: Scottish Parliament |
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Capital: Edinburgh |
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Population: 5,168,500 / 45,467 in Greenock (2001 census) |
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Density: 348.6 people/sq mi |
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Languages: English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic |
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Religions:Church of Scotland 42.4%, No Religion 27.5%, Roman Catholic 15.9%, Other Christian 6.8%,
Islam 0.8%, Buddhism 0.1%, Sikhism, 0.1%, Judaism 0.1%, Hinduism 0.1%, Other Religions 0.5% |
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Ethnic Mix: Irish 95%, other (mainly British) 5% |
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Life Expectancy: 78.7 years (ranked 37) |
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Currency: Pounds Sterling = 100 pennies (US$ 1 = GBP 0.65) |
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Dialing Code: +44 |
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Time Difference: 6 hours ahead of New York |
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Electricity: 240V 50Hz |
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Measurements: Metric System |
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Geography: The main land of Scotland comprises the northern third of the land mass of the island of Great Britain, which lies off the northwest coast of Continental Europe. Scotland consists of six areas called the Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands, Inner and Outer Hebrides.
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Culture: Scottish music is a significant aspect of the nation’s culture, with both traditional and modern influences. A famous traditional Scottish instrument is the Great Highland Bagpipe, a wind instrument consisting of three drones and a melody pipe. Flower of Scotland is popularly held to be the National Anthem of Scotland, and is played at events such as football or rugby matches involving the Scotland national team.
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Economy / industry: Scotland has a western style open mixed economy which is closely linked with that of the rest of Europe and the wider world. Traditionally, the Scottish economy has been dominated by heavy industry underpinned by the shipbuilding in Glasgow, coal mining and steel industries. Petroleum related industries.. have also been important employers from the 1970s, especially in the north east of Scotland. De-industrialisation during the 1970s and 1980s saw a shift from a manufacturing focus towards a more service-oriented economy.
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Climate: The climate of Scotland is temperate and oceanic, and tends to be very changeable. It is warmed by the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic, and as such has much milder winters (but cooler, wetter summers) than areas on similar latitudes. |
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