Aberdeen Scots: Aiberdeen is the third-largest city in Scotland , United Kingdom , with a population of over , It is an important sea port, regional centre, and the hub of the North Sea oil industry. Although remote by UK standards, this is no backwater; Aberdeen is a prosperous and cosmopolitan city partly due to North Sea oil and is characterised by its grand and ornate architecture.
Most buildings are constructed out of granite quarried in and around the city, and as a result, Aberdeen is often referred to as The Granite City. It is also known for its many outstanding parks, gardens and floral displays throughout the city, and for its long, sandy beach. Aberdeen boasts the title of Oil Capital of Europe and has been voted in several polls as the happiest place in Britain, with a poll citing access to large areas of greenery and community spirit.
It has won the Britain in Bloom competition 10 times. Aberdeen does not attract as many tourists as other Scottish destinations such as Edinburgh or St Andrews , and can feel more authentic. It is a great place to stop for a couple of days on a tour of Scotland, and especially good as a base for exploring the wider region to take advantage of the castles, golf, whisky distilleries, scenery, mountains including skiing and snowboarding , coast and other attractions in Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside.
Alternatively, Aberdeen's remoteness yet comforts and cosmopolitan nature makes it an interesting destination for a short city break if you really want to get away from the stress. Aberdeen is a city of , people - smaller than Glasgow and Edinburgh , but larger than other Scottish cities. Despite this, Aberdeen is surprisingly easy to reach and is a modern and prosperous city. British visitors are often surprised to find such a vibrant city so far north.
Partly due to oil wealth and its status as the only large regional centre, it has the facilities of a much larger city. Together, all this gives Aberdeen an air of self-sufficiency found in few places in Britain today. Aberdeen is one of the most prosperous places in Scotland, due primarily to the North Sea oil industry, and has low unemployment 2. Immigration due to the oil industry and the universities gives the city a cosmopolitan air that often surprises visitors, and when out and about in the city languages are heard from all over the world.
