Geography. [13] There are 282 Munros in Scotland, all within the Highlands. The Highlands of Scotland are largely mountainous, and f… The two continents gradually collided, joining Scotland to the area which would become England and Europe. During World War I and World War II this brought prosperity to Scotland, but shortly afterwards the economy went into steep decline. 31. Outlying islands include St Kilda and Rockall the status of which is disputed. The lowlandsare known for their fertile farmland and thick woodlands, the Highlands for their towering mountains, sweeping moorland a… [29] However an increasing birth rate[30] and higher levels of inward migration to Scotland have reversed the decline and contributed to the recent population growth. [13] Corbetts are peaks with an altitude of between 2,500 and 3,000 ft (762.0 and 914.4 m), with a relative height of at least 500 ft (152.4 m) . Whether you've just completed school or you graduated decades ago, there are likely many things you don't know about the extraordinary planet on which we live. The water in Loch Ness is nearly double that of all the lakes of England and Wales combined, and is by volume the largest lake in the British Isles.[19][20]. Overview of the Orkney Islands, group of more than 70 islands and islets—only about 20 of which are inhabited—in Scotland, lying about 20 miles (32 km) north of the Scottish mainland, across the strait known as the Pentland Firth. Including the numerous islands, this increases to some 11,602 miles (18,672 km). Silurian rocks form the Southern Uplands of Scotland, which was pushed up from the seabed during the collision. During the Precambrian, the Torridonian sandstones and the Moine were also laid down. From the geography and people of Scotland, to Scottish symbols, famous Scots and unique wildlife - the list is as fascinating and diverse as the country itself. Scots, though, is an interesting language that some people argue is a dialect and not a separate language at all. Ultimate Scottish quiz So, you think you know Scotland? A Scottish Parliament opened in 2000. [37] At the same time, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen all witnessed population decline. Read VisitScotland’s Scottish Wildlife Series to find out about six of the country’s coolest animals! [8] Today, energy is a major component of Scotland's economy. Get messy, explore and appreciate nature, all from the safety of home! Join us on a bonnie adventure in our facts about Scotland…, Form of government: constitutional monarchy, Major mountain ranges: Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands, Major rivers: River Tay, River Spey, River Dee, River Tweed, River Clyde. Ruled over by a clan chief, these clans were like tribes and were made up of family members and people who had a loyalty to the chief. Scotland - Geographical Facts Such ranges include the Ochil Hills, near Stirling, the Campsie Fells outside Glasgow, and the Lomond Hills in Fife. The gross domestic product (GDP) of Scotland in 2006 is estimated to have been £124 billion,[46] resulting a per capita GDP of approximately £24,000. The Scottish flag is blue with a white saltire, and represents the cross of Saint Andrew You’re leaving natgeokids.com to visit another website! A Scottish independence referendum was held in September 2014, at which time independence was rejected. The jagged Cuillin, on the Isle of Skye, represents a major mountain range that is not located on the Scottish mainland. [18] Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater body in Britain by area, although with a capacity of 1.78 cubic miles (7.4 km3) Loch Ness is the most voluminous. I learnt loads of new facts from this page! Facts About Scotland. (I even enjoyed the video!). Shorter than the Highlands, the tallest mountain in the range is Merrick, at 843 m (2,766 ft). 1. Here you will find information about who we are, the services and products we provide and how to contact us. For starters, Scotland was voted 'the most beautiful country in the world' by readers of roughguides.com. It evolved from Old/Middle English in Northumbria, so it's still related to English. The Scottish Parliament is made up of 129 elected representatives who debate issues and make laws for Scotland. By the Tertiary period, the tectonic plates were again moving, separating into modern-day North America and Europe with the creation of the Atlantic Ocean. [25] Scotland's snowiest spot is the Cairngorm mountain range. These cookies do not store any personal information. We want our geography section to be as helpful as possible but if you think there are things that should be added or changed please contact us with your suggestions. The lowlandsare known for their fertile farmland and thick woodlands, the Highlands for their towering mountains, sweeping moorland and deep lochs, and the islands for their compact wild landscapes, beautiful beaches and far-reaching sea views. In 1745 Charles Edward Stuart, or ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ as he is often known, travelled to Scotland to reclaim the thrones that his grandfather, once king of England, Ireland and Scotland, had lost in 1668. Striking topographical differences can be seen within island groups themselves; in Orkney, the Island of Hoy is hillier and more rugged than surrounding islands and Harris is distinctive in being more mountainous than the islands of Lewis, North Uist, South Uist and Barra, in the Outer Hebrides. From the mid 1700s to the early 1800s educated Scottish people, such as professors, doctors and writers, began to question what was previously believed and instead formulate new theories and ideas. 90% of the standing fresh water volume of Great Britain lies within Scotland. | Scottish National Party- 63 MSPs Volcanic activity occurred across Scotland as a result of the collision of the tectonic plates, with volcanoes in southern Scotland, and magma chambers in the north, which today form the granite mountains such as the Cairngorms. As one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, Scotland is represented by Members of Parliament at the Parliament of the United Kingdom at Westminster, London. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. An abundance of natural resources such as coal, iron and zinc contributed significantly to the industrial growth of Scotland during the 19th and early 20th centuries. [7] While the Lowlands are less elevated, upland and mountainous terrain is located across the Southern Uplands. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Population 5,100,000 at June 1991. The land area of Scotland is 30,981 square miles (80,240 km2), 32% of the area of the United Kingdom (UK). [27], According to the General Register Office for Scotland, the total population of Scotland stood at 5,168,500 in June 2008, an increase of 2.1% since the census of April 2001. In 2011 Chris and Colin Weir of Largs won £161m, the biggest EuroMillions prize in the UK to date. [4] The windiest areas of Scotland are in the north and west, with parts of the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland experiencing over 30 days with gales per year. Scottish English is the regular English you or I know, spoken with a Scottish accent. The split occurred to the west of Scotland, leaving a chain of former volcanic sites through the Hebrides, including Skye and St. Kilda. Lerwick, in Shetland, has four hours more daylight at midsummer than London, although this is reversed in midwinter. Throughout the centuries Scottish people have brought us a huge range of new concepts, architectural techniques, scientific discoveries, inventions and more. The land area of Scotland is 30,414 square miles (78,770 km2), 32% of the area of the United Kingdom (UK). From the 1200s to the 1300s the Scottish clan system became firmly established in the Highlands. N… The Old Red Sandstones were laid down in low-lying areas during this period. Located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains, at an altitude of 1,345 m (4,413 ft), Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and Great Britain. The new parliament has the power to govern the country on Scotland-specific matters and has a limited power to vary income tax. Mexico facts: discover this fascinating country! [4] Vigorous Atlantic depressions, also known as European windstorms, are a common feature of the autumn and winter in Scotland. [28] Scotland's share of the United Kingdom population has been declining in recent years and stands at just over 8.5% due to differential rates of growth in the home nations. Geography. Geography Facts That Will Blow Your Mind Our world is so fascinating that you won't believe some of these geography facts. Scotland has been populated for 12,000 years, and has a rich and complex history. During the Carboniferous period (363-290 Ma), Scotland lay close to the equator. Following the battle, the British government was determined to bring the Highlanders under their control and harsh laws were passed to eradicate all aspect of Highland culture, including the Gaeliclanguage and traditional clothing. Major industries include banking and financial services, steel, transport equipment, oil and gas, whisky, and tourism. This signalled the end of the Highland clan system. Scotland contains the majority of mountainous terrain in the UK. Scotland contains the most mountainous terrain in Great Britain. With so many habitats, there’s plenty of fascinating wildlife to see in Scotland. [34] Between 1991 and 2001, the total number of people living on Scotland's islands fell by 3%. During the Silurian period (439-409 Ma), the area which became Scotland was part of the continent of Laurentia. Although the town of Berwick gives it name to a Scottish County, the town afterwards became an English possession in 1482. Firths around the Scottish coast include the Solway Firth, Firth of Clyde, and Firth of Lorne on the west coast, and the Cromarty Firth, Moray Firth, Firth of Tay, and Firth of Forth on the east coast. As of Mar 02 21. [14] Most of the islands are located off the northern and western coast of the country. [6] The more rugged Highland region contains the majority of Scotland's mountainous terrain, including the highest peak, Ben Nevis. Out on the mountains and in the moorland you might spot majestic red deer or mountain hares while the islands are the perfect place to spot seals and seabirds, such as puffins. Much of the highest uplands lie to the north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault in the Northwest Highlands and Grampian ranges. Find information about Scotland on history, wildlife, nature, geography, arts and culture and Scottish icons and get ideas on attractions to visit. The highlands were also pushed up as a result of this collision, and may have been as high as the modern-day Alps at this time. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Welcome to the National Records of Scotland (NRS) Geography web pages. Rockall, a small and uninhabitable rocky islet in the North Atlantic, was annexed by the UK in 1955 and later declared part of Scotland by the Island of Rockall Act 1972. [32], Nearly 100 of Scotland's islands are inhabited, the most populous being Lewis and Harris with 21,031 people resident in 2011, primarily concentrated around Stornoway, the only burgh of the Outer Hebrides. But delve a little deeper into all things Scottish and you will find a host of interesting facts that will leave you stunned. [34], There are seven cities in Scotland; Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Perth and Stirling. Wednesday, 11th April 2018, 10:31 am. The Orkney Islands were the Orcades of ancient classical literature. The country now boasts a strong and varied economy, with industries such as financial and business, renewable energy and sustainable tourism. [4] Areas such as Inverewe Garden in the northwest and the Logan Botanic Garden in the southwest have warm enough microclimates to support palm trees. [36] The Western Isles saw a 9.8% decrease in population between 1991 and 2001.[36]. Enjoy! The Scottish Lowlands is the part of Scotland not referred to as the Highlands.. That is everywhere south and east of the Highland Boundary Fault, between Stonehaven and Helensburgh (on the Firth of Clyde).. Geographically, Scotland Lowlands are divided into two distinct areas: the Central Lowlands, and the Southern Uplands.. Each clan had its own colourful pattern for weaving cloth and these patterns are called a tartan. A variety of wildlife can be found in Scotland, including seals, mountain hare, ptarmigan, stoats and the golden eagle. [4] On the longest day of the year there is no complete darkness over the northern isles of Scotland. Despite these uncertain times, the 1700s also saw the beginning of one of the greatest periods in Scotland’s history – the Scottish Enlightenment. Accuracy: A team of editors takes feedback from our visitors to keep trivia as up to date and as accurate as possible.Complete quiz index can be found here: Scotland Quizzes There are 110 questions on this topic. Find the answers further down the page. In the Harry Potter series, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is thought to be located in the Highlands of Scotland. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Local folklore says a 1558 spell cast by Mull witch Doideag caused the explosion that sank a member of the Spanish Armada in Tobermory harbour. The most dramatic experiment of the 21st century happened in Scotland. Average temperatures are lower than in the rest of Great Britain, with the coldest ever UK temperature of −27.2 °C (−17.0 °F) recorded at Braemar in the Grampian Mountains, on 10 January 1982 and also at Altnaharra, Highland, on 30 December 1995. The Pentland Firth is not an inlet, but the strait that separates the Orkney Isles from the mainland. a pre-selected message and a cool badge, […] Olympics: https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/countries/facts-about-scotland/ […], Scotland is cool but i like Germany better☺, We never talk about Scotland at school! [21] Western coastal areas of Scotland are warmer than the east and inland areas, due to the influence of the Atlantic currents, and the colder surface temperatures of the North Sea; however, during rare hot spells, the west is cooler than the east. Scotland has an incomparable variety of geology for an area of its size. [33] With a population density of 8 people per square kilometre, the Highlands are the most sparsely populated part of the country, and one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe. While you wait for it to be checked and approved why not to add Berwick is situated at the mouth of the River Tweed which forms much of the border between England and Scotland. With a total land area of 860 square miles (2,200 km2) Lewis and Harris (referred to as two islands but actually just one) is the largest Scottish island. Here are some mind-bending geography facts that might surprise you. Hundreds of millions of years ago Scotland’s landmass was once completely separate from England and Wales – it was actually joined to America and Greenland! The Atlantic Ocean borders the west coast and the North Sea is to the east. The major division of Scotland is the Highland Boundary Fault, which separates the land into 'highland' to the north and west, and 'lowland' to the south and east. This lush beautiful country is bursting with green spaces, lush forests, towering mountains and vast lochs (the Scottish word for lakes!). The world’s first color photograph, that of a Tartan Ribbon, was taken in Scotland.. 32. Facts; Flag; Geography Statistics; Geography; Location; Maps; Symbols (19/09/2014) Scottish Independence Referendum: On September 18th, the Scottish people voted to determine their nation's place in the United Kingdom. Grasses and rough grazing account for 67% of the land area, forest and woodland 17%, urban development 8%, crops and fallow 7%, and other agricultural land accounts for 2%.[12]. [39] Exceptions include: the Isle of Man, which having been lost to England in the 14th century is now a crown dependency outside of the United Kingdom, the acquisition of Orkney and Shetland from Norway in 1472,[40] and the permanent recovery of Berwick by England in 1482. [4] Annual average sunshine totals vary from as little as 711–1140 hours in the Highlands and the north-west up to 1471–1540 hours on the extreme eastern and south-western coasts. [6] Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, although Edinburgh is the capital and political centre of the country. [42][43] However, the legality of this claim is disputed by the Republic of Ireland, Denmark and Iceland and it is probably unenforceable in international law.[44][45]. Located in Northern Europe, Scotland comprises the northern half of the island of Great Britain as well as 790 surrounding islands encompassing the major archipelagos of the Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands and the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Most major cities are located in the Scottish Lowlands. Since 1996, for the purposes of local government, Scotland has been divided into 32 council areas. In the 1950s and 1960s, people from former colonies in the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia came to the United Kingdom to work. The Highlands are wild and picturesque. With 84.59% of voters casting their ballots, 55.30% voted in favor of remaining part of the union. 19 Fucking Odd Facts About Scotland That'll Make You Say "Hmm, Random" ... Rose Leslie is a Scottish aristocrat whose childhood home was Clan Leslie's 15th century ancestral seat in Aberdeen. The east coast is more regular, with a series of large estuarine inlets, or firths, and long sandy beaches, for example at Aberdeen. The ten major rivers of Scotland, in order of length, are: The watershed between river systems flowing west to the Atlantic Ocean and east into the North Sea is 745 miles (1,199 km) long. Other strong tides are to be found in the Pentland Firth between mainland Scotland and Orkney, and the Grey Dog between Scarba and Lunga. The Highland Council serves a third of the land area of Scotland, including the most remote and sparsely populated parts of the United Kingdom. Scotland's islands have a varied topography. Find out all about this incredible place and the amazing animals that live there…. Scotland has over 300 railway stations. Further sedimentary deposits were formed through the Cambrian period, some of which metamorphosed into the Dalradian series. The discoveries and advances that were made during this time went on to shape the modern world as we know it. Capital Edinburgh. Parts of the Highlands have an average of 36 to 60 snow days per year,[25] while some western coastal areas have between 0 and 6 days with snow a year. The territorial extent of Scotland is generally that established by the 1237 Treaty of York between Scotland and England[38] and the 1266 Treaty of Perth between Scotland and Norway. | Scottish Labour- 24 MSPs The geography of Scotland is varied, from rural lowlands to unspoilt uplands, and from large cities to sparsely inhabited islands. The mainland of Scotland has 6,160 miles (9,910 km) of coastline. Some of these wonderful things include the telephone, the television, tarmac, the steam engine, anaesthesia, penicillin, the pedal bicycle and the decimal point! [34][35] Other island populations range down to very low levels on certain small isles. Many famed athletes and Olympic medal winners come from Scotland, including tennis player Andy Murray, rower Katherine Grainger and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The head of the Scottish Government is the First Minister. The Highlands has the 7th highest population of the 32 authorities in Scotland (235,540) while having the lowest population density at 8 … Just what makes Scotland so special and worthy of a place on your must-visit holiday list? Question 1 A ‘Munro’ is the name for a Scottish mountain above which height? In the 1970s crude oil began to be pumped from the North Sea, creating a new industry in Scotland. This was the last period of rock formation in Scotland. Ask a parent or guardian to check it out first and remember to stay safe online. Several changes in sea level occurred during this time. Brought to you by Free Pub Quiz, Britain's best trivia website. Theresa May’s Brexit deal threatens to slash 80,000 Scottish jobs over a decade, and make every person in Scotland £1,610 worse off. By the Triassic, Scotland was a desert, the origin of large sandstone outcrops of the southwest. Scottish Flag. Grab your suncream, shades and snorkels – because we’re heading Down Under with these fab facts about Australia! Lowland areas, in the southern part of Scotland, are flatter and home to most of the population, especially the narrow waist of land between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth known as the Central Belt. Scotland is a country in Europe and is part of the island of Great Britain (Europe’s largest island) alongside England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Rùm and Eigg display jagged terrain; nearby Canna and Muck are flatter. [2] Separated by the North Channel, the island of Ireland lies 13 miles (21 km) from Mull of Kintyre on the Scottish mainland. In his book, Scottish History For Dummies, Knox explores the story of Scotland and its place within the historical narratives of Britain, Europe and the rest of the world.Here, writing for HistoryExtra, he reveals 10 surprising facts about Scottish history… Lynch, M (2001), Industry to 1770s; pp211, "Loch Lomond to Stirling - the Highland Line", "Mid 2004 Localities estimates - Localities in descending order of size", "A vision for the future of energy in Scotland", "Facts and figures about Scotland's sea area (coastline length, sea area in sq kms)". The latest Scottish parliament election results for major parties: The mainland of Scotland has 6,160 miles (9,910 km) of coastline. Between 1889 and 1975 Scotland was divided into burghs and counties, which were replaced by regions and districts. In 43 AD the Romans successfully invaded Britain and fought frequently with the native Scots, called the Caledonians. [28], Compared with the rest of Europe, Scotland has a low population density at 65 people per square kilometre. The Scots are a nation of innovators. From Castles to Celebrities put your knowledge to the test! The island of Ireland lies only 12 miles (19 km) from the southwestern peninsula of Kintyre;[2] Norway is 190 miles (310 km) to the east; the Faroes, 170 miles (270 km) to the north; and Iceland, 460 miles (740 km) to the northwest. Scottish Landscapes, Scenery & Nature Spots Towering mountains, glittering lochs, dense woodlands and miles upon miles of golden beaches - Scotland's landscapes really will take your breath away. Many of these offshore islands are swept by strong tides, and the Corryvreckan tide race between Scarba and Jura is one of the largest whirlpools in the world. The climate of Scotland is temperate and very changeable, but rarely extreme. The Atlantic Ocean, which fringes the coastline of western and northern Scotland and its islands, influences the temperate, maritime climate of the country.[4]. The total land area of Scotland is 8,023,947 hectares. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, was born and brought up in Edinburgh.. 33. AFRICA IS IN A PRETTY CENTRAL LOCATION. [36] Between 1991 and 2001, the populations of Edinburgh and Stirling grew by 2.9% and 6.5% respectively. It is bounded by England in the south and on the other three sides by water: by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and north and by the North Sea on the east. [33] Other concentrations of population include the northeast coast of Scotland - principally surrounding the city of Aberdeen and its environs - and around Inverness. Both are located in the Cairngorms, a mountain range in the eastern Highlands which is the highest upland area in Britain. The coal deposits of Lanarkshire, and further sedimentary deposits, date from this time. The geography of Scotland is varied, from rural lowlands to unspoilt uplands, and from large cities to sparsely inhabited islands. Scotland occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. There are ranges of gentler, rolling hills even in the central lowlands of Scotland. Scotland is a country in Europe and is part of the island of Great Britain (Europe’s largest island) alongside England, Wales and Northern Ireland. [31] However Scotland is a highly urbanised country, with 82% of the population living in settlements of 3,000 people or more. [23] The town of Dunbar, east of Edinburgh, has an annual rainfall of merely 560.18 mm (22.05 in), less than Barcelona. The Scottish Highlands are a mountainous region of Scotland with historical importance and a low population density. [23] Due to the mountainous topography of the western Highlands, this type of precipitation is orographic in nature, with the warm, wet air forced to rise on contact with the mountainous coast, where it consequently, cools and condenses, forming clouds. Actor and comedian John Sessions was born in Largs in 1953. [22] The highest temperature recorded was 32.9 °C (91.2 °F) at Greycrook in the Scottish Borders on 9 August 2003. Scots is a Germanic language that's closely related to English. Across the Iapetus ocean to the south, was the continent of Baltica. BBC News online: Scotland's watershed route mapped out for hikers. Rainfall totals vary widely across Scotland—the western highlands of Scotland are one of the wettest places in the UK with annual rainfall up to 4,577 mm (180.2 in). [11] The geographical centre of the mainland alone lies near the peak of Schiehallion. This article is full of knowledge and things we don't learn at school. Government Scotland has been ruled by the British Parliament, although it maintained its own system of laws, education and established church. Area 31,510 sq. The Scottish Lowlands can be further subdivided into the Southern Uplands, an area of rolling farmland and high moorland, and the lowland farmland of the Central Belt and eastern Scotland. [32] As a result, the majority of the population live in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, surrounding the chief cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. 1,000 feet 2,000 feet 3,000 feet 4,000 feet Question 2 Where did President Eisenhower of the Primary 1 Home Learning Wednesday 3rd June | Riverside Primary Blog. The topography of Scotland is distinguished by the Highland Boundary Fault which traverses the Scottish mainland from Helensburgh to Stonehaven. They are among the oldest rocks in the world. Find out all about the cool country of Peru! The United Kingdom Parliament retains responsibility for Scotland's defence, international relations and certain other areas. [36] Aside from the cities, the greatest intra-census population growth was experienced in the local authorities of West Lothian, East Lothian, Aberdeenshire and Perth and Kinross. [26], In common with the rest of the British Isles, wind prevails from the south-west, bringing warm, wet and unstable air from the Atlantic. Facts; Flag; Geography Statistics; Location; Maps; Symbols; The rough and tumble landscape of Scotland was once covered by glaciers during the Pleistocene Ice Age. By The Newsroom. The west tends to be wetter and warmer than the cool, dry east. When those masses of ice retreated (or melted) they left in their wake a rocky, pockmarked landscape of mountains and rolling hills, dozens of deep lakes, cold water rivers and streams. Share this More volcanic activity formed Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, among other hills. The main points of the Scottish mainland are: It is often yet incorrectly stated that John o' Groats is the most northerly point of mainland Scotland. This event is known as the Caledonian Orogeny, and the Highland Boundary Fault marks this stitching together of continents. The pre-Union phrase "John o' Groats to Maidenkirk" was the Scottish equivalent of the British Land's End to John o' Groats. There are also numerous clusters of islands in the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde and in freshwater lochs such as Loch Lomond and Loch Maree. Green forests, towering mountains, vast lochs and a lively culture form this spectacular country! miles. Scotland has over 900 islands, over 100 of which are inhabited. [9] Whilst Scotland is the largest producer of petroleum in the European Union, the production potential of renewable energy has emerged as an important economic and environmental issue in recent years.[10]. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies.
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