Scotland

Scotland is a constituent country of the United Kingdom. Its capital is Edinburgh.

Find Scotland

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Edinburgh
Languages: English, Scots & Scottish Gaelic
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
Population: 5,545,500Mid-2025 · National Records of Scotland
Area: 77,933 km²30,090.09 square miles
Devolution: 1999Union with England dates to 1707.

Scotland in context

Europe and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Edinburgh; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

The Highlands, Central Lowlands and Southern Uplands form the main physical regions. Numerous islands lie off the west and north coasts.

Languages

English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic are used in Scotland. Their prevalence varies by community and region.

Location

Scotland occupies the northern part of Great Britain and includes the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.

Flag

The cross of Saint Andrew: a white diagonal cross on a blue field.

Sources: NRS · population estimates and revisions · Scottish Government · economy · UK Parliament · devolution · House of Lords · union and devolution history · ONS · regional economic activity

History & status

Scotland developed as a separate kingdom during the Middle Ages. Its monarch inherited the English crown in 1603, and the 1707 Acts of Union created Great Britain. A devolved Scottish Parliament opened in 1999. Voters chose to remain in the UK in the 2014 independence referendum.

1707
Scotland and England unite as Great Britain
1999
The devolved Scottish Parliament opens
2014
Voters choose to remain in the United Kingdom

Economy

Main activities

Services, energy, food and drink, manufacturing and tourism are important. Whisky is a notable export. Offshore oil and gas and renewable electricity are significant industries, but they represent different parts of the economy.

Industry and production

Manufacturing includes food and drink, engineering and life sciences. Offshore energy and renewable electricity have distinct roles, while financial and business services are important in cities.

Population

5,545,500 · Mid-2025 · National Records of Scotland

Government

A constituent country of the United Kingdom with a devolved Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government. A First Minister heads the government. The UK Parliament retains responsibilities including defence and foreign affairs.

Knowledge check

Three questions about Scotland.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

Which city is identified as the capital of Scotland?

Sources & notes

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.