Scotland

Why in news?

• Scotland’s leader said that she intends to hold a “legal referendum” on independence from the U.K. if she wins Scottish elections scheduled for May.

About Scotland:

• Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom.
• The capital is Edinburgh.
• Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 154 km border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast and the Irish Sea to the south.
• There are also more than 790 islands principally in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles.
• Scotland is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions or local authorities, known as council areas.
• Glasgow City is the largest council area in terms of population, with Highland being the largest in terms of area.
• Scotland is the second largest country in the United Kingdom, and accounted for 8.3% of the population in 2012.
• Scotland has limited self-government within the United Kingdom, as well as representation in the British Parliament.
• Executive and legislative powers respectively have been devolved to the Scottish Government which is elected based on majority in the Scottish parliament.
• Ever Since Britain decided to withdraw from the European Union, many in Scotland have called for a referendum to decide whether Scotland should continue within the United Kingdom or become independent.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements:
1.Measured by GDP in terms of Purchasing power Parity, India is a larger economy than United Kingdom.
2.When measured as a single entity European union is the largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims Question