Scotland, a constituent country of the United Kingdom, encompasses nearly one-third of the UK’s land area. It occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 neighboring islands, primarily located in the Hebrides and the Northern Isles archipelagos.
The Kingdom of Scotland emerged in the 9th century, and in 1603, James VI inherited England and Ireland, establishing a personal union of the three kingdoms. On 1 May 1707, Scotland and England united to form the new Kingdom of Great Britain, with the Parliament of Scotland merged into the Parliament of Great Britain. In 1999, a Scottish Parliament was reinstated, gaining devolved authority over various aspects of domestic policy.
Scotland boasts a unique legal system, educational framework, and religious history distinct from the rest of the UK. These differences have played a role in preserving Scottish culture and national identity within the broader United Kingdom.
As of 2022, the population stood at 5,436,600, contributing to 8% of the UK’s total population as of 2019. Edinburgh serves as the capital, while Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland.
