Geography of Scotland
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|+<big><big>'''Geography of Scotland'''</big></big>
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| align="center" width="180px" | [[Image:Scotland topographic map-en.jpg|290px|Topographic map of Scotland]]
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| '''[[Continent]]''' || [[Europe]]
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| '''[[Subregion]]''' || [[Northern Europe]]<br>[[Great Britain]]
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| '''[[Area]]'''<br> - Total <br> - Land (%)<br> - Water (%)
| <br>78 772 km² (30 414 miles²)<br> 97% <br> 3%
|-
| '''Coastline''' || 11 800 km (7 332 miles)
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| '''Land borders''' || [[England]]<br>96 km (60 miles)
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| '''Highest point''' || [[Ben Nevis]]<br>1 344 m (4 409 ft)
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| '''Lowest point''' || [[Atlantic Ocean]], 0 m
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| '''Longest river''' || [[River Tay]]<br>193 km (120 miles)
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| '''Largest inland body of water''' || [[Loch Lomond]]<br> 71 km² (27¼ miles²)
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| '''[[Climate]]''': || [[Temperate]]
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| '''[[Terrain]]''': || [[mountain]]s, [[hill]]s, [[forest]], [[bog]], [[urban]]
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| '''Natural resources''' || [[iron]], [[zinc]], [[potash]], [[silica|silica sand]], [[coal]], [[fish]], [[timber]], [[wildlife]], [[petroleum]], [[natural gas]], [[hydropower]]
|-
| '''Natural hazards''' || [[windstorm]]s, [[flood]]s
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| '''Environmental issues''' || [[climate change]], [[renewable energy]], [[waste disposal]] and [[water pollution]]
|}
The '''geography of Scotland''' is highly varied, from rural lowlands to barren uplands, and from large cities to uninhabited islands. Located in north-west [[Europe]], [[Scotland]] comprises the northern one third of the island of [[Great Britain]]<ref name="third">{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9110753/Scotland |title=Scotland |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref> and over 790 surrounding [[List of islands of Scotland|islands]] and [[archipelago]]es.<ref name="islands">{{cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/923/0010669.pdf |title=Scotland in Short|publisher=Scottish Executive |accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref>
Scotland's only land border is with [[England]], which runs for 96 kilometres (60 mi) in a northeasterly direction from the [[Solway Firth]] in the west to the [[North Sea]] on the east coast.<ref name="Atlas">{{cite book |author=Munro, D |title=Scotland Atlas and Gazetteer |pages=pp1-2 |publisher=Harper Collins |year=1999}}</ref> Separated by the [[North Channel (British Isles)|North Channel]], the island of [[Ireland]] lies 30 kilometres (20 mi) from the southwest tip of the Scottish mainland.<ref name="Atlas"/> [[Norway]] is located 305 kilometres (190 mi) to the northeast of Scotland across the North Sea. The [[Atlantic Ocean]], which fringes the coastline of western and northern Scotland and its islands, influences the [[temperate]], maritime climate of the country.<ref name="scotlandclimate">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/scotland/index.html | title = Met Office: Scottish climate | format = | work = | publisher = [[Met Office]] | accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref>
The topography of Scotland is distinguished by the [[Highland Boundary Fault]]{{ndash}} a [[geologic fault|geological rock fracture]]{{ndash}} which traverses the Scottish mainland from [[Helensburgh]] to [[Stonehaven]].<ref name="Boundary">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst7728.html | title = Overview of Highland Boundary Fault | format = | work = | publisher = Gazetteer for Scotland, University of Edinburgh | accessdate = 2007-08-23}}</ref> The faultline separates two distinctively different physiographic regions; namely the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] to the north and west and the [[Scottish lowlands|lowlands]] to the south and east.<ref name="Fault">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/geology/loch_lomond_stirling/highland_line.asp | title = Loch Lomond to Stirling - the Highland Line | format = | work = | publisher = Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) | accessdate = 2007-08-23}}</ref> The more rugged Highland region contains the majority of Scotland's mountainous terrain, including the highest peak, [[Ben Nevis]]. 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 Lowlands|Central Belt]].<ref name="Fault"/> [[Glasgow]] is the largest city in Scotland, although [[Edinburgh]] is the [[Capital city|capital]] and political centre of the country.<ref name="settlements">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year =2004 | url= http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files1/stats/04mid-year-estimates-localities-table4.pdf | title = Mid 2004 Localities estimates - Localities in descending order of size | format = | work = | publisher = General Register of Scotland (GROS) | accessdate = 2007-08-23}}</ref>
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.<ref>Lynch, M (2001), Industry to 1770s; pp211 ''Oxford Companion to Scottish History''</ref> Today, [[energy]] is a major component of Scotland's economy.<ref name="energy">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = 2007-05-23 | url = http://www.scottishexecutive.gov.uk/News/News-Extras/visionenergy | title = A vision for the future of energy in Scotland | format = | work = Speech by the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather | publisher = Scottish Executive | accessdate = 2007-08-24}}</ref> Whilst Scotland is the largest producer of [[North Sea oil|petroleum]] in the [[European Union]], the production potential of [[Renewable energy in Scotland|renewable energy]] has emerged as an important economic and environmental issue in recent years.<ref name="energy"/>
==Geology and geomorphology==
{{main|Geology of Scotland}}
[[Image:Highlands lowlands.png|thumb|Lowland-Highland divide]]
The land area of Scotland is 78 772 km² (30,414 square miles), roughly 30% of the area of the United Kingdom (UK). The mainland of Scotland has 9 911 km (6158 miles) of coastline.
The [[geomorphology]] of Scotland was formed by the action of [[tectonic plate]]s, and subsequent erosion arising from [[glaciation]]. 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. The [[Scottish highlands|Highlands of Scotland]] are largely mountainous, and form the highest ground in the UK: they are bisected by the [[Great Glen]] into the [[Grampian Mountains (Scotland)|Grampian Mountains]] to the southeast and the [[Northwest Highlands]]. The [[Scottish lowlands|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.
Scotland has an incomparable variety of [[geology]] for an area of its size. It is also the origin of many significant discoveries and important figures in the development of the science.
The oldest rocks of Scotland are the [[Lewisian gneiss]]es, which were laid down in the [[Precambrian]] period, up to 3,000 Ma ('''M'''ega '''a'''nnum or million years ago). They are among the oldest rocks in the world. During the Precambrian, the [[Torridonian sandstone]]s and the [[Moine]] were also laid down. Further [[sedimentary]] deposits were formed through the [[Cambrian]] period, some of which [[metamorphic rock|metamorphosed]] into the [[Dalradian]] series. The area which would become Scotland was at this time close to the south pole.
During the [[Silurian]] period (439-409 Ma), the area which became Scotland was part of the continent of [[Laurentia]]. Across the [[Iapetus Ocean|Iapetus]] ocean to the south, was the continent of [[Baltica]]. The two continents gradually collided, joining Scotland to the area which would become England and Europe. This event is known as the [[Caledonian orogeny|Caledonian Orogeny]], and the [[Highland Boundary Fault]] marks this stitching together of continents. Silurian rocks form the [[Southern Uplands]] of Scotland, which was pushed up from the seabed during the collision. 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. The [[Old Red Sandstone]]s were laid down in low-lying areas during this period. [[Volcano|Volcanic activity]] occurred across Scotland as a result of the collision of the [[tectonic plate]]s, with volcanoes in southern Scotland, and [[magma chamber]]s in the north, which today form the [[granite]] mountains such as the [[Cairngorms]].
During the [[Carboniferous]] period (363-290 Ma), Scotland lay close to the equator. Several changes in sea level occurred during this time. The [[coal]] deposits of [[Lanarkshire]], and further sedimentary deposits, date from this time. More volcanic activity formed [[Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh|Arthur's Seat]] in [[Edinburgh]], among other hills. By the [[Triassic]], Scotland was a desert, the origin of large [[sandstone]] outcrops of the southwest. Although large deposits of [[Cretaceous]] rocks would have been laid down over Scotland, these have not survived erosion, as have the [[chalk]]s of England.
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]]. The split occurred to the west of Scotland, leaving a chain of former volcanic sites through the [[Hebrides]], including [[Isle of Skye|Skye]] and [[St Kilda, Scotland|St. Kilda]]. This was the last period of rock formation in Scotland. Since then, several [[ice age]]s have shaped the land through glacial erosion, creating [[Glaciated valley|u-shaped valley]]s and depositing [[boulder clay]]s. In the present day, Scotland continues to move slowly north.
==Climate==
{{main|Climate of Scotland}}
[[Image:Edinburgh climate graph.png|thumb|400px|Climate graph for [[Edinburgh]]. Mild temperatures and evenly distributed rainfall, throughout the year, are characteristic of Scotland's [[temperate]], [[maritime climate]].]]
The climate of Scotland is [[temperate]] and very changeable, but rarely extreme.<ref name="scotlandclimate"/> Scotland is warmed by the [[North Atlantic current|North Atlantic Drift]] and given the northerly location of the country, experiences much milder conditions than areas on similar latitudes, such as [[Labrador]] in [[Canada]]—where [[icebergs]] are a common feature in winter.<ref name="scotlandclimate"/>
Average temperatures are lower than in the rest of Great Britain, with the coldest ever UK temperature of -27.2°[[Celsius|C]] recorded at [[Braemar]] in the [[Grampian Mountains (Scotland)|Grampian Mountains]], on [[January 10]], [[1982]] and also at [[Altnaharra]], [[Highland (council area)|Highland]], on [[December 30]], [[1995]].<ref name="scotlandclimate"/> Winter maximums average 5.0 to 5.7 °C, with summer maximums averaging 14.9 to 16.9 °C.<ref name="scotlandaverages">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/scotland.html | title = Scotland 1971-2000 averages | format = | work = | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="meantemperatures">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif | title = Mean Temperatures Annual Average | format = | work = | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref> The highest temperature recorded was 32.9°C at [[Greycrook]] in the [[Scottish Borders]] on [[August 9]] [[2003]].<ref name="scotlandclimate" />
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 4577 mm.<ref name="rainfall">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/rr/17.gif | title = Rainfall Amount Annual Average | format = | work = | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref> 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 [[Condensation|condenses]], forming clouds.<ref name="orographic">{{cite web | last =Wheeler | first =Dennis | authorlink = | coauthors =Mayes, Julian | year =1997 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=PVmYKrC0LM4C | title =Regional Climates of the British Isles | format = | work = | publisher = Routledge | accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> In comparison, much of eastern Scotland receives less than 870 mm annually; lying in the [[rain shadow]] of the western uplands.<ref name="rainfall" /> Snowfall is less common in the lowlands, but becomes more common with altitude. Parts of the Highlands have an average of 36 to 105 snow days per year,<ref name="snow">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/dl/17.gif | title = Days of Snow Lying Annual Average | format = | work = | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref> while some western coastal areas have between 0 and 6 days with snow a year.<ref name="snow" />
The Hebridean island of [[Tiree]] received a total of 329 hours of sunshine in May 1946 and again in May 1975, the highest number of sunshine hours ever recorded in one month in Scotland.<ref name="scotlandclimate"/> On the [[Solstice|longest day of the year]] there is no complete darkness over the northern isles of Scotland. [[Lerwick]], in Shetland, has four hours more daylight at midsummer than [[London]], although this is reversed in midwinter.<ref name="scotlandclimate"/> 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.<ref name="sunshine">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/ss/17.gif | title = Sunshine Duration Annual Average | format = | work = | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref>
In common with the rest of the British Isles, wind prevails from the south-west, bringing warm, wet and unstable air from the Atlantic.<ref name="scotlandclimate" /> 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.<ref name="scotlandclimate" /> Vigorous Atlantic [[Low pressure area|depressions]], also known as [[European windstorm]]s, are a common feature of the autumn and winter in Scotland.<ref name="depressions">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001 | url = http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/NaturallyScottish/lichens/climate.asp | title = Lichens - The Exceptional Scottish climate | format = | work = | publisher = Scottish National Heritage (SNH) | accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref>
==Physical geography==
====Extreme points====
[[Image:Scotland from space.png|250px|right|Scotland viewed from space]]
The extreme points of the Scottish mainland are:
*North: Easter Head, [[Dunnet Head]], [[Caithness]]
*East: [[Keith Inch]], [[Peterhead]], [[Aberdeenshire (traditional)|Aberdeenshire]]
*South: [[Mull of Galloway]], [[Dumfries and Galloway]]
*West: [[Corrachadh Mòr]], [[Ardnamurchan]] (headland), [[Lochaber]]
It is often yet incorrectly stated that [[John o' Groats]] is the most northerly point of mainland Scotland. The pre-Union phrase "John o' Groats to [[Maidenkirk]]" was the Scottish equivalent of the British [[Land's End to John o' Groats]].
The extreme points of Scotland, including outlying islands, are:
*North: [[Out Stack]], north of [[Unst]], [[Shetland Islands]]
*East: [[Bound Skerry]], [[Outer Skerries|Out Skerries]], Shetland Islands
*South: Mull of Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway
*West: Either [[Rockall]] (annexed in [[1972]] to the former [[Inverness-shire]]), the international status of which is disputed, or [[Soay, St Kilda|Soay]], [[St Kilda, Scotland|St. Kilda]], [[Outer Hebrides|Western Isles]]
The geographical [[centre of Scotland]] lies a few miles from the village of [[Newtonmore]] in [[Badenoch]], far to the north of the modern population heartlands.<ref>See [http://www.highlandhostel.co.uk/wherearewe.htm "The 'Where Are We' page"] highlandhostel.co.uk. Retrieved [[22 September]] [[2007]].</ref>
====Mountains====
[[Image:BenNevis2005.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Ben Nevis]] is the highest peak in Great Britain.]]
{{main|Mountains and hills of Scotland}}
Scotland contains the most mountainous terrain in Great Britain. Much of the highest uplands lie to the north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault in the [[Northwest Highlands]] and [[Grampian Mountains|Grampian]] ranges. The [[Cuillin]] on the Isle of Skye, represents a major mountain range that is not located on the Scottish mainland. Located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains, at an altitude of 1344 m (4409 ft), [[Ben Nevis]] is the highest mountain in Scotland and Great Britain. [[Ben Macdui]] and [[Braeriach]] are, respectively, the second and third tallest peaks in Scotland.
Mountains in Scotland are [[Hill lists in the British Isles#Scotland|categorised]] by their height. Peaks over 3000 ft (914.4 m) are known as [[Munro]]s.<ref name="Munros">{{cite web |url= http://www.smc.org.uk/Hillwalking/HillKeyFacts.html |title=Mountains - The Key Facts |publisher=Scottish Mountaineering Club |accessdate=2007-11-18}}</ref> There are 284 Munros in Scotland, all within the Highlands.<ref name="Munros"/> [[Corbetts]] are peaks with an altitude of between 2500 and 3000 ft (762 and 914.4 m), with a [[topographic prominence|relative height]] of at least 500 ft (152.4 m).<ref name="Munros"/> The classification of peaks in Scotland is kept under periodic review by the [[Scottish Mountaineering Club]].<ref name="Munros"/>
The southern and eastern parts of Scotland are referred to as the [[Scottish Lowlands]] which contain significant ranges of hills, although at much lower altitudes than those found in the Highlands. The [[Southern Uplands]] form a continuous belt from [[Galloway]] in the west to [[Berwickshire]] in the east. The [[Pentland Hills]] and the [[Lammermuir Hills]] are several of the local ranges which make up the Southern Uplands. The [[Sidlaw Hills]] to the north of Dundee, the [[Ochil Hills|Ochils]] to the east of Stirling and the [[Campsie Fells]] to the north of Glasgow constitute important upland ranges in [[Central Scotland]].
In addition to the main upland zones in southern Scotland there are many individual hills, not part of any range. Several of these elevations are volcanic in origin and are known by the [[Scots language|Scots]] word ''Law'', meaning hill. [[North Berwick Law]] and [[Traprain Law]] are two examples of these extinct volcanic outliers.
===Coastline===
[[Image:Traigh Sheilebost.jpg|thumb|250px|Large parts of the Scottish coastline are dune pasture, such as here at Traigh Seilebost on the [[Isle of Harris]].]]
Mainland Scotland has 9, 911 km (6,158 miles) of coastline. Including the numerous islands, this increases to some 16, 490 km (10,246 miles). The west coast in particular is heavily indented, with long promontories separated by [[fjord]]like [[sea loch]]s. The east coast is more regular, with a series of large estuarine inlets, or [[firth]]s, and long sandy beaches, for example at [[Aberdeen]]. Much of the Scottish coastline consists of a [[machair (geography)|machair formation]], a dune pasture land formed as sea levels subsided.<ref>[http://www.wildlifehebrides.com/environment/machair/ Machair Profile]</ref>
The east coast has several significant [[estuaries]] and other [[nature reserve]]s including the [[Ythan Estuary]] and [[Fowlsheugh]], both of which have been designated as [[Important Bird Area]]s.
Firths of Scotland 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. The [[Pentland Firth]] is not an inlet, but the [[strait]] that separates the [[Orkney Isles]] from the mainland.
Major sea lochs include [[Loch Fyne]], [[Loch Long]], [[Loch Ryan]], [[Loch Linnhe]], [[Loch Torridon]], [[Loch Ewe]], and on the Isle of [[Lewis]], [[Loch Seaforth]].
===Islands===
[[Image:Little Cumbrae.JPG|thumb|left|250px|The island of [[Little Cumbrae]] with the [[Isle of Arran]] in the background]]
{{main|List of islands of Scotland}}
Scotland has some 790 islands, most of which are located off the northern and western coast of the country.<ref name="islands"/> The [[Northern Isles|northern]] and [[Western Isles|western]] islands of Scotland can be found in four main groups: [[Shetland Islands|Shetland]], [[Orkney Islands|Orkney]] and the [[Hebrides]] which can be divided into the [[Inner Hebrides]] and the [[Outer Hebrides]]. Shetland and Orkney, together with [[Fair Isle]] and [[Stroma]] are referred to as the [[Northern Isles]]. With a total land area of 2225 km² (859 miles²) [[Lewis and Harris]] is the largest island surrounding Scotland.
Many of these offshore islands are swept by strong tides, and the [[Gulf of Corryvreckan|Corryvreckan tide race]] between [[Scarba]] and [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]] is one of the largest [[whirlpool]]s in the world. Other strong tides are to be found in the [[Pentland Firth]] between mainland Scotland and [[Orkney]], and the ''Grey Dog'' between Scarba and [[Lunga, Firth of Lorn|Lunga]]. 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]]. Outlying islands include [[St Kilda, Scotland|St Kilda]] and [[Rockall]] the status of which is disputed.
Scotland's islands have a varied topography. [[Isle of Mull|Mull]], [[Isle of Skye|Skye]] and [[Isle of Arran|Arran]] are noted for their mountainous terrain, whilst [[Tiree]], [[Coll]] and most of the Shetland group are flat or low lying. 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 [[Isle of Lewis|Lewis]], [[North Uist]], [[South Uist]] and [[Barra]], in the Outer Hebrides.
===Rivers===
[[Image:River Nith estuary.jpg|left|220px|thumb|The [[estuary]] of the [[River Nith]] emptying into the [[Solway Firth]] to the south of [[Dumfries]].]]
{{main|List of rivers in Scotland}}
The ten major rivers of Scotland, in order of length, are:
#[[River Tay]] 193 km (120 miles)
#[[River Spey]] 172 km (107 miles)
#[[River Clyde]] 171 km (106 miles)
#[[River Tweed]] 156 km (97 miles)
#[[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]] 137 km (85 miles)
#[[River Don, Aberdeenshire|River Don]] 132 km (82 miles)
#[[River Forth]] 105 km (65 miles)
#[[River Findhorn]] 101 km (63 miles)
#[[River Deveron]] 98 km (61 miles)
#[[River Annan]] 79 km (49 miles)
===Lochs===
[[Image:Loch Long.jpg|right|220px|thumb|[[Loch Long]] is one of many freshwater bodies in Scotland.]]
{{main|List of lochs in Scotland}}
[[Freshwater]] bodies in Scotland are known as [[loch]]s, with the exception of the [[Lake of Menteith]] and one or two manmade "lakes".
#[[Loch Lomond]] 71.1 km² (27.5 square miles), the largest freshwater body in Britain.
#[[Loch Ness]] 56.4 km² (21.8 sq mi)
#[[Loch Awe]] 38.5 km² (14.9 sq mi)
#[[Loch Maree]] 28.6 km² (11.0 sq mi)
#[[Loch Morar]] 26.7 km² (10.3 sq mi)
#[[Loch Tay]] 26.4 km² (10.2 sq mi)
#[[Loch Shin]] 22.5 km² (8.7 sq mi)
#[[Loch Shiel]] 19.6 km² (7.6 sq mi)
#[[Loch Rannoch]] 19.1 km² (7.4 sq mi)
#[[Loch Ericht]] 18.7 km² (7.2 sq mi)
===Distances to other countries===
Scotland's only land border is with England, and runs for 96 [[kilometres]] (60 mi) between the basin of the [[River Tweed]] on the east coast and the [[Solway Firth]] in the west. The [[Atlantic Ocean]] borders the west coast and the [[North Sea]] is to the east. The island of [[Ireland]] lies only 30 kilometres (20 mi) from the southwestern peninsula of [[Kintyre]];<ref name="Atlas">{{cite book |author=Munro, D |title=Scotland Atlas and Gazetteer |pages=pp1-2 |publisher=Harper Collins |year=1999}}</ref> [[Norway]] is 305 kilometres (190 mi) to the east; the [[Faroes]], 270 kilometres (168 mi) to the north; and [[Iceland]], 740 kilometres (460 mi) to the northwest.
==Human geography==
{{main|Demography of Scotland}}
[[Image:Crofting Township.jpg|right|220px|thumb|In northern and western areas, many people live in small crofting [[township (Scotland)|township]]s such as here on the [[Isle of Skye]].]]
According to the [[General Register Office for Scotland]], the total population of Scotland stood at 5,116,900 in June 2006, an increase of 1.1% since the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|census]] of April 2001.<ref name="Population">{{cite web |url=
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/press/2007-news/the-rgs-review-of-scotlands-population.html |title=The Registrar General's Review of Scotland's Population |publisher=General Register Office for Scotland |date=2007-07-27 |accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> Scotland accounts for just under 9% of the population of the United Kingdom, a figure which has been compounded by the gradual decline of Scotland's population since the early 1980s.<ref name="decline">{{cite web |url=
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/popproj/02population-projections-scottishareas/results-of-the-projections.html |title=Population projections (2002 based) |publisher=General Register Office for Scotland |date=2006-03-24 |accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> However an increasing [[birth rate]]<ref name="births">{{cite web |url=
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/press/2007-news/more-births-than-deaths-in-2006.html |title=More births than deaths in 2006 |publisher=General Register Office for Scotland |date=2007-03-06 |accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> and higher levels of inward migration to Scotland have reversed the decline and contributed to the recent population growth.<ref name="Population"/>
Compared with the rest of Europe, Scotland has a low [[population density]] at 64 people per square kilometre,<ref name="Population2">{{cite web |url=http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/press/2006-news/scotlands-population-rises-for-third-year-in-a-row.html |title=Population up for third consecutive year |publisher=General Register Office for Scotland |date=2006-04-27 |accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> but is a highly [[urban]]ised country, with 82% of the population living in settlements of 3000 people or more.<ref name="Population3">{{cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/01/15950/15135 |title=Review of Scotland's cities - the analysis |date=January 2003 |publisher=Scottish Government |accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> As a result, the majority of the population live in the [[Central Belt|Central Lowlands]] of Scotland, surrounding the chief cities of [[Glasgow]] and [[Edinburgh]].<ref name="Population4">{{cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/health/ffms-04.asp |title=A framework for maternity services in Scotland publisher=Scottish Government |date=February 2001|accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> Other concentrations of population include the northeast coast of Scotland - principally surrounding the city of [[Aberdeen]] and its environs - and around [[Inverness]].<ref name="Population4"/> With a population density of 8 people per square kilometre, the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] are the most sparsely populated part of the country. In these areas, the population is scattered in villages, small towns and isolated farmsteads or [[croft (land)|croft]]s.<ref name="Population3"/>
Nearly 100 of Scotland's islands are inhabited, the most populous being [[Lewis]] with 16,782 people resident in 2001, primarily concentrated in [[Stornoway, Outer Hebrides|Stornoway]], the only [[burgh]] of the [[Outer Hebrides]].<ref name="Population5">{{cite web |url=http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files1/stats/occasional-paper-10-table1.pdf |title=Number of residents and households on all inhabited islands |publisher=General Register Office for Scotland |date=2003-11-28|accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> Other island populations range down to only 1 on certain small isles.<ref name="Population5"/> Between 1991 and 2001, the total number of people living on Scotland's islands fell by 3%.<ref name="Population5"/> Bucking the trend, islands such as [[Tiree]], Skye and [[Eigg]] all experienced increases in their respective populations, over the same period.<ref name="Population5"/>
There are six [[City status in the United Kingdom|cities]] in Scotland; Glasgow, Edinburgh, [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]], [[Inverness]] and [[Stirling]]. The 2001 census identified Glasgow as being the largest city in Scotland, with a total population of 629,501, while the Scottish [[capital city|capital]], Edinburgh had a population of 448,624, in the same year.<ref name="Population6">{{cite web |url=http://81.201.129.42/statistics/publications-and-data/population-estimates/revised-mid-year-est.html |title=Revised Mid-year Population estimates - 1982-2000 |publisher=General Register Office for Scotland |accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> Between 1991 and 2001, the populations of Edinburgh and Stirling grew by 2.9% and 6.5% respectively.<ref name="Population6"/> Conversely, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen all experienced population decline over the same period.<ref name="Population6"/> Aside from the cities, the most population growth occurred in [[West Lothian]], [[East Lothian]], [[Aberdeenshire]] and [[Perth and Kinross]].<ref name="Population6"/> The Western Isles saw a 9.8% fall in population between 1991 and 2001.<ref name="Population6"/>
==Political geography==
[[Image:Scotland map.png|250px|left|thumb|Map of Scotland, showing the territorial extent of the country]]
{{main|Politics of Scotland}}
The territorial extent of Scotland is generally that established by the 1237 [[Treaty of York]] between Scotland and [[Kingdom of England|England]]<ref>[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/utk/scotland/conquered.htm "Uniting the Kingdoms?"] National Archives. Retrieved 21.11.06</ref> and the 1266 [[Treaty of Perth]] between Scotland and [[Norway]].<ref name=Mackie> Mackie, J.D. (1969) ''A History of Scotland''. London. Penguin.</ref> 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,<ref>''Whitaker's Almanack'' (1991) London. J. Whitaker and Sons.</ref> and the permanent recovery of [[Berwick upon Tweed|Berwick]] by England in 1482.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9078911/Berwick-upon-Tweed Encyclopaedia Britannica Online] Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Retrieved on [[06 November]] [[2007]]</ref> Originally an independent country, Scotland joined with England to form the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] in [[1707]] with the [[Act of Union 1707|Acts of Union]].
As one of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom, Scotland is represented by Members of Parliament at the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] at [[Westminster]], [[London]]. In 1997 a [[referendum]] was held, and the people of Scotland voted for the establishment of a [[devolution|devolved]] Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The new parliament has the power to govern the country on Scotland-specific matters and has a limited power to vary [[income tax]]. The United Kingdom Parliament retains responsibility for Scotland's [[Defense (military)|defence]], [[international relations]] and certain other areas.
Between 1889 and 1975 Scotland was divided into [[burgh]]s and [[Counties of Scotland|counties]], which were replaced by [[Regions of Scotland|regions and districts]]. Since 1996, for the purposes of [[Local government of Scotland|local government]], Scotland has been divided into 32 [[Subdivisions of Scotland|council areas]].
[[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]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/21/newsid_4582000/4582327.stm "On this day - 21 September"] [[bbc.co.uk]]. Retrieved [[22 September]] [[2007]]. "In 1972 the Isle of Rockall Act was passed, which made the rock officially part of Inverness-shire, Scotland."</ref><ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199798/ldhansrd/vo970624/text/70624-02.htm "Daily Hansard"] [[June 24]] [[1997]]. Parliament.uk. Retrieved [[22 September]] [[2007]].</ref> However, the legality of this claim is disputed by the [[Republic of Ireland]], [[Denmark]] and [[Iceland]] and it is probably unenforceable in international law.<ref>[http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0268/D.0268.197311010090.html Oral Questions] to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the [[Dáil Éireann]], [[November 1]] [[1973]] Retrieved 17.01.2007.</ref><ref>MacDonald, Fraser (2006) ''The last outpost of Empire: Rockall and the Cold War''. Journal of Historical Geography 32. P627–647. [http://www.sages.unimelb.edu.au/staff/macdonald.html available in pdf]</ref>
==Economic Geography==
{{main|Economy of Scotland}}
The [[Gross domestic product]] (GDP) of Scotland is [[United States dollar|US$]]90 billion, giving a per capita GDP of US$18,000. Major industries include [[banking]] and financial services, [[steel]], transport equipment, [[petroleum|oil]] and [[Natural gas|gas]], [[whisky]], and [[tourism]].
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==See also==
*[[Geography of the United Kingdom]]
*[[Geography of England]]
*[[Geography of Wales]]
*[[Geography of Ireland]]
{{Scotland topics}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
[[Category:Geography of Scotland| ]]
[[es:Geografía de Escocia]]
[[fr:Géographie de l'Écosse]]
[[nl:Geografie van Schotland]]
[[pt:Geografia da Escócia]]
[[sq:Gjeografia e Skocisë]]