Difference between revisions of "Scotland"
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'''Scotland''' is the second largest country of the [[United Kingdom]]; about three-eighths the size of its larger neighbour England, but is much less populous; most of the population lives in the ''central belt'', a band accross central Scotland between the capital Edinburgh and the city of Glasgow. | '''Scotland''' is the second largest country of the [[United Kingdom]]; about three-eighths the size of its larger neighbour England, but is much less populous; most of the population lives in the ''central belt'', a band accross central Scotland between the capital Edinburgh and the city of Glasgow. | ||
| − | Scotland includes the island groups of Orkney, Shetland | + | Scotland includes the island groups of [[Orkney]], [[Shetland]], the Inner & Outer [[Hebrides]], the islands of the [[Clyde Estuary]](including [[Arran]], [[Bute]], [[Cumbrae]] & [[wee Cumbrae]] and various other smaller islands. |
==Union with England== | ==Union with England== | ||
Revision as of 22:01, April 21, 2007
Scotland is the second largest country of the United Kingdom; about three-eighths the size of its larger neighbour England, but is much less populous; most of the population lives in the central belt, a band accross central Scotland between the capital Edinburgh and the city of Glasgow.
Scotland includes the island groups of Orkney, Shetland, the Inner & Outer Hebrides, the islands of the Clyde Estuary(including Arran, Bute, Cumbrae & wee Cumbrae and various other smaller islands.
Union with England
After the death of Queen Elizabeth I of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended to the Throne of England, becoming James I of England. He was the first monarch to call himself King of Great Britain. This is referred to as the Union of the Crowns. James was also at this time King of Ireland.
The Parliaments of Scotland and England were not united until 1707 and it is this date that is recognized as the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This is referred to as the Union of the Parliaments. The formation of the Irish Republic in 1922 resulted in the current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Fame
Scotland is famous for its disproportionate amount of inventions and discoveries (as immortalised in Wha's Like Us), its world class universities, the Scottish Enlightenment, being the first country to adopt English as its official language decades before England[Citation Needed], being the one of the first industrial nations while still preserving some of the last great wildernesses of Europe, and being the home of golf and the Loch Ness Monster.
The symbol of Scotland is the thistle. The Scottish flag is the Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a dark blue background. The design originated in the 9th century and it is the oldest national flag still in use anywhere in the world. Other things associated with the country are kilts (tartan skirts worn by Scotsmen), and the haunting music of the bagpipes. Famous Scottish products include pies, haggis and Scotch whisky.
Scotland has it's own Parliament of 129 members as well as sending 59 MPs to represent its interests in the United Kingdom parliament which sits in London. Scottish MPs have historically been recognized for their political skills and appointed to the Cabinet in larger numbers than would be proportionate for their numbers.
Scotland's motto is Nemo me impune lacessit ("No-one provokes me with impunity")[1] which translates as Wha daur meddle wi me in Scots.
