Scotland

Table of Contents

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
People
- Ethnic groups
- Languages
- Religion
- Settlement patterns
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
  - Agriculture
  - Forestry
  - Fishing
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
- Finance
- Services
- Transportation
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
- Local government
- Justice
- Political process
- Security
- Health and welfare
- Housing
- Education
Cultural life
- Daily life and social customs
- The arts
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History
- Ancient times
  - Roman penetration
  - Christianity
  - The Norse influence
- The unification of the kingdom
  - The development of the monarchy
  - David I (1124–53)
  - Medieval economy and society
  - David I’s successors
- The Wars of Independence
  - Competition for the throne
  - Robert I (1306–29)
  - David II (1329–71)
- Scotland in the 15th century
  - The early Stewart kings
  - 15th-century society
- Scotland in the 16th and early 17th centuries
  - James IV (1488–1513) and James V (1513–42)
  - Mary (1542–67) and the Scottish Reformation
  - James VI (1567–1625)
- The Age of Revolution (1625–89)
  - Charles I (1625–49)
  - Cromwell
  - The Restoration monarchy
- The era of union
  - The revolution settlement
  - The Act of Union and its results
  - Jacobitism in the Highlands
  - The Scottish Enlightenment
- 19th-century Scotland
  - The Industrial Revolution
  - Politics and religion
  - The Highlands
- Scotland since World War I
  - World War I and after
  - World War II and after
  - North Sea oil and the rise of Scottish nationalism
  - The establishment of a Scottish Parliament
  - Scottish independence referendum
  - Scotland under First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Sovereigns of Scotland

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images & Videos

flag of Scotland

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

St. Andrews Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle

Physical features of Scotland

Loch Ness, Scotland

Ben Nevis, Scotland

River Tweed, Scotland

For Students

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Scotland summary

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Scotland: Facts & Stats

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Head Of Government	First minister: John Swinney
Capital	Edinburgh
Population	(2011) 5,295,400
Official Languages	English; Scots Gaelic
National Religion	Church of Scotland
Total Area (Sq Km)	77,925
Total Area (Sq Mi)	30,087
Monetary Unit	pound sterling (£)
Legislature	Scottish Parliament (129)

Photos and Videos

flag of Scotland

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

St. Andrews Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle

Physical features of Scotland

Loch Ness, Scotland

Ben Nevis, Scotland

River Tweed, Scotland

Northern gannets on Scotland's Bass Rock

What you need to know about Scottish heritage

A wee explanation of Scottish languages

A beginner's guide to tasting Scottish whisky

Food history: How to make Scottish shortbread

See All Videos and Images →

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