Northern part of Great Britain.

77,925 sq km (30,086 sq miles).

5.12 million (official estimate 2006).

65.7 per sq km.

Edinburgh. Population: 458,000 (official estimate 2005).

The country consists of the southern Lowland area, a region of moorland and pastoral scenery – where most of the population is concentrated – and the northern Highlands, dominated by the Grampian Mountains and Ben Nevis (1,344m/4,140ft), the highest peak in the British Isles. The whole of the exceedingly beautiful coastline is indented with lochs (particularly in the north and west). Off the west coast there are many islands, the largest of which are Skye and Lewis, the latter being part of the Outer Hebrides. The Orkney and Shetland Islands lie to the northeast of the Scottish mainland, across the Pentland Firth from John O’Groats.

HM Queen Elizabeth II.

First Minister Alex Salmond since May 2007.

Despite Scotland's absorption into Britain following the 1707 Treaty (or Act) of Union, there has always been a strong streak of independence in the nation, and the regaining of independence has always been the aim of many Scots.

Scotland did achieve a much greater degree of autonomy from the UK government in 1999, when it regained its own parliament as part of the devolution process. The Scottish Parliament has control over matters such as education and health, and has its own tax-raising powers. The UK Government maintains control over issues such as defence and foreign policy. Scotland's parliament is housed adjacent to the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh.

Alex Salmond made political history after becoming the first Nationalist to be elected first minister of Scotland. The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader was voted into office in parliament by 49 votes to 46, after he was supported by the Greens. The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives abstained. He heads the first minority administration since devolution.

English. Gaelic is still spoken by some, mostly in the West and Highlands.

For information on time, religion, electricity, passport and visa, money, duty-free and health, see the main United Kingdom section.