dÉcosse

Écosse is the French name for Scotland, a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Located in the northern part of Great Britain, it is bordered by England to the south and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Irish Sea. Its landscape includes the Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and numerous islands such as the Inner and Outer Hebrides.

Political status: Scotland is one of four constituent countries of the United Kingdom. Its capital and seat of government is Edinburgh; Glasgow is its largest city. Since devolution in 1999, the Scottish Parliament and Government have powers over areas including education, health, transport, and justice, while defense and monetary policy remain reserved to the UK Parliament.

Geography and environment: The country is known for its rugged mountains, glens, lochs, and coastlines. Ben Nevis is the highest peak in the UK. The climate is temperate and oceanic, with variable weather and strong maritime influence. Scotland contains several national parks and hundreds of islands, including Skye, Orkney, and Shetland.

History and culture: Scottish history spans Picts, Gaels, Norse, and later political unions. The 1707 Act of Union merged the Scottish and English kingdoms to form Great Britain. In 1998, devolution established the modern Scottish Parliament. Gaelic and Scots are traditional languages alongside English; Gaelic retains presence in the Highlands and Islands, and Scots is spoken in parts of the Lowlands. Scotland is renowned for literature, music, and festivals, including whisky production with many distilleries.

Economy and demographics: Scotland has about 5.5 million residents. Its economy emphasizes services, finance and higher education in Edinburgh and Glasgow, tourism, whisky production, and renewable energy, including wind and hydro. The country contributes significantly to science, technology, and creative industries in the UK.