Scotland

Scotland is a nation in the northern part of the island of Great Britain. It shares a border with England to the south and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. Scotland is known for its hills, mountains, and many islands. A mountain is a tall area of land that rises high above the land around it. People have lived in Scotland for thousands of years, and the land has shaped their homes, travel, and traditions.

Early people in Scotland built simple homes, fished in the sea, and hunted animals. Later, groups known as the Picts and the Gaels formed small kingdoms across the land. A kingdom is an area ruled by a king or queen. These groups traded goods, grew crops, and sometimes fought to control land. Over time, the kingdoms joined together under one ruler, creating a single Scottish kingdom.

Castles and stone buildings from the Middle Ages still stand in many places. The Middle Ages were the period in Europe after ancient times and before the modern age. Castles were strong buildings used for defense, leadership, and storage. Towns grew around these castles and became places for trade. Trade is the buying and selling of goods. People traded wool, fish, metal, and tools with nearby lands.

Scotland also has its own traditions in language and culture. Many people speak English today, but some also speak Scots or Scottish Gaelic. Gaelic is a Celtic language, which means it comes from ancient groups in Europe who shared related languages. Music, storytelling, and clothing such as the kilt became symbols of Scottish identity. A symbol is something that stands for an idea or group.

The land of Scotland includes many different environments. In the Highlands, the northern and western parts of the country, the land is rocky and higher than in the south. In the Lowlands, the land is flatter and better for farming. Farming is the growing of crops and raising of animals. Scotland also has many lochs. A loch is a lake or sea inlet surrounded by land. These natural features shape travel, work, and daily life.

Today, Scotland is part of the United Kingdom but has its own parliament, which helps make laws for the country. A parliament is a group of people who meet to make decisions about government. People in Scotland live in cities, towns, and rural areas. Visitors travel to Scotland to see its natural landscapes, old buildings, and cultural festivals. The history and geography of Scotland continue to play a large role in how people live and understand their nation.