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Scotland

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Scotland is a country that sits within the United Kingdom.

Skyline of Edinburgh
Skyline of Edinburgh

It makes up nearly one-third of the land in the UK. The country includes the northern part of Great Britain. It also has more than 790 islands nearby. These islands are mostly in groups called the Hebrides and the Northern Isles.

Loch Lomond 2013
Loch Lomond 2013

To the south-east, Scotland shares a land border with England. The Atlantic Ocean is to the north and west. The North Sea is to the east, and the Irish Sea is to the south.

The land is divided into three main areas. The Highlands are in the north and are very mountainous. This area has the highest peak in the British Isles called Ben Nevis.

Corpach Basin - geograph.org.uk - 5757851
Corpach Basin - geograph.org.uk - 5757851

You will find many lakes here, which people call lochs. The Lowlands are flatter plains across the center. The Southern Uplands are hilly lands along the southern border.

Traigh Bail, Tiree - geograph.org.uk - 7983
Traigh Bail, Tiree - geograph.org.uk - 7983

Some islands like Skye are mountainous, while others like Tiree are flatter.

Scotland has a very long history that began a long time ago. Humans lived there during the last ice age.

Skara Brae - geograph.org.uk - 3912232
Skara Brae - geograph.org.uk - 3912232

Around 6,000 years ago, Neolithic farmers arrived. They built stone villages like Skara Brae on the island of Orkney.

Callanish at sunset - geograph.org.uk - 820680
Callanish at sunset - geograph.org.uk - 820680

Later, the Romans came to parts of the land. They built walls, like the Antonine Wall, to mark their borders. The Romans also brought Christianity to the area.

Many different groups of people have lived in Scotland over the years. The Vikings arrived in the eighth century to find land.

By the ninth century, a new royal dynasty began. In 1603, James VI became the king of Scotland, England, and Ireland.

Treaty of Union
Treaty of Union

In 1707, Scotland and England joined to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. Today, about 5.4 million people live in Scotland. Edinburgh is the capital, while Glasgow is the largest city.

The High Court, Glasgow (geograph 6643274)
The High Court, Glasgow (geograph 6643274)

Scotland has a culture that is still very strong today. It has its own legal and education systems.

Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber 1
Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber 1

People speak many languages, including English and Scots. Some people in the Hebrides still speak Scottish Gaelic.

White-tailed eagle in flight at Falkenhof Schloss Rosenburg
White-tailed eagle in flight at Falkenhof Schloss Rosenburg

The Scottish Parliament was set up again in 1999. It helps make decisions for the country. This allows Scotland to keep its unique national identity alive.

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🖼️ Images & Media (47)
Flower of Scotland.mp3
File:Skara Brae - geograph.org.uk - 3912232.jpg
Skara Brae - geograph.org.uk - 3912232.jpg
File:Callanish at sunset - geograph.org.uk - 820680.jpg
Callanish at sunset - geograph.org.uk - 820680.jpg
File:Great Window, Parliament Hall, Edinburgh.JPG
Great Window, Parliament Hall, Edinburgh.JPG
File:The Battle of Stirling Bridge.jpg
The Battle of Stirling Bridge.jpg
File:Adam de Colone (c.1572-1651) - James VI and I (1566–1625), King of Scotland (1567–1625), King of England and Ireland (1603–1625) - PG 2172 - National Galleries of Scotland.jpg
Adam de Colone (c.1572-1651) - James VI...
File:Treaty of Union.jpg
Treaty of Union.jpg
File:JamesFirstEarlOfSeafield.jpg
JamesFirstEarlOfSeafield.jpg
File:Sir Henry Raeburn - Portrait of Sir Walter Scott.jpg
Sir Henry Raeburn - Portrait of Sir...
File:Bagpiper Battle of Bazentin Ridge 14-07-1916 IWM Q 4012.jpg
Bagpiper Battle of Bazentin Ridge...
File:Opening of the Scottish Parliament, 1999.jpg
Opening of the Scottish Parliament, 1999.jpg
File:Signing of the Edinburgh Agreement, 2012.jpg
Signing of the Edinburgh Agreement, 2012.jpg

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