Scotland

Introduction

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom.

Geography

 Scotland is one third (1/3) of the island of Great Britain. The total area is 78,772 km². Scotland's only land border is with England. The Atlantic Ocean borders the west coast and the North Sea is to the east.
Scotland's highest point is the summit of Ben Nevis, in Lochaber (1,344 metres above sea level), while the longest river, the River Tay, flows for a distance of 190 kilometres.

Climate
The climate of Scotland is temperate and oceanic, and tends to be very changeable. Temperatures are generally lower than in the rest of the UK. In general, the west of Scotland is usually warmer than the east. The western highlands are the wettest place, with annual rainfall exceeding 3,000 mm.

History

The written protohistory of Scotland began with the arrival of the Roman Empire in southern and central Great Britain, when the Romans occupied what is now England and Wales, administering it as a province called Britannia. The roman soldiers’ occupation of a significant part of northern Scotland only lasted about 40 years.

Medieval period

The kingdom of the picts (based in Fortriu by the 6th century) was the state that eventually became known as “alba” or “Scotland”. However, by the tenth century, the pictish kingdom was dominated by what we can recognize as Gaelic culture.

Early modern era

On 22 July 1706, the treaty of union was agreed between representatives of the Scots parliament and the parliament of England and the following year twin acts of union were passed by both parliaments to create the united kingdom of Great Britain with effect from 1 may 1707.

18^th century

With trade tariffs with England now abolished, trade blossomed and especially with colonial America. The clippers belonging to the Glasgow tobacco lords were the fastest ships on the route to Virginia. The Scottish enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution made Scotland into an intellectual, commercial and industrial powerhouse.

19^th century

Scotland became known across the world for its excellence in engineering.

20^th century

Scotland played a major role in the British effort in the First World War. The Second World War brought renewed prosperity.

Since 1945

After 1945, Scotland economic situation became progressively worse. Only in recent decades has the country enjoyed something of a cultural and economic boom.

Politics

Scotland's head of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom, currently Queen Elizabeth II.

Scotland has partial self-government in the United Kingdom as well as representation in the UK Parliament. The United Kingdom Parliament has power over levels of UK taxes, social security, defence, international relations and broadcasting. The Scottish Parliament has authority for all other areas relating to Scotland, as well as a limited power to change income tax. 

Currency

Three Scottish clearing banks still issue their own banknotes of the national currency the Sterling pound.

Demography

The population of Scotland is 5,222,100.

Music and 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. The clàrsach (harp), fiddle and accordion are also traditional Scottish instruments.
Today, there are many successful Scottish bands and individual artists in varying styles including Runrig, Susan Boyle, Simple Minds, Amy Macdonald, KT Tunstall, Emeli Sande and Texas.
As one of the Celtic nations, Scotland and Scottish culture is represented at interceltic events at home and over the world. Scotland hosts several music festivals including Celtic Connections (Glasgow), and the Hebridean Celtic Festival (Stornoway). Festivals celebrating Celtic culture, such as Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Brittany), the Pan Celtic Festival (Ireland), and the National Celtic Festival (Portarlington, Australia), feature elements of Scottish culture such as language, music and dance.

Sport

Sport is an important element in Scottish culture, with the country hosting many of its own national sporting competitions.
Important sports in Scotland include: rugby, football, golf, and many traditional Scottish games like hammer throwing.