Scotland

Scotland (in Scots Gaelic: Scotland) is one of the four countries that constitute the United Kingdom and is the second-largest country within the UK. As of 2012, it represented 8.3% of the UK's population. Scotland covers the northern third of the island of Great Britain, sharing a border of approximately 96 miles (154 km) with England to the southeast. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast, and the Irish Sea to the south.

The country is home to over 790 islands, with most of the population concentrated in the capital city, Edinburgh. Scotland is divided into 32 administrative regions or local authorities known as council areas. The largest council area in terms of population is Glasgow, while Highland is the largest in terms of area.

Scotland has limited self-governing authority, covering issues such as education, social services, roads, and transportation. In 1999, the Scottish Parliament was re-established as a unicameral legislature with 129 members, and it has authority over various areas of domestic policy. The head of the Scottish government is the First Minister, supported by the Deputy First Minister of Scotland. Scotland is represented in the UK Parliament by 59 Members of Parliament and is also a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, in addition to being represented on the Joint Ministerial Committee by the First Minister.

Climate:

The climate in most of Scotland is temperate and maritime and tends to be extremely changeable. The winter season is relatively mild due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic Ocean, but summers are cooler and more humid. Temperatures in Scotland are generally lower than in the rest of the UK. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the UK was -27.2 degrees Celsius (-17.0 degrees Fahrenheit) in Braemar in the Grampian Mountains on February 11, 1895. The average maximum winter temperatures in lowlands are 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit), with average maximum temperatures in summer reaching 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit). The highest recorded temperature was 32.9 degrees Celsius (91.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in Greycrook on the Scottish Borders on August 9, 2003.

Top Tourist Attractions in Scotland:

• Edinburgh Zoo
• Dynamic Earth
• University of Edinburgh
• Old Town
• The Royal Mile and Gardens
• Holyrood Palace
• National Museum of Scotland
• Edinburgh Castle

These are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, showcasing its rich history, natural beauty, and cultural significance.