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{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Aberdeen
| gaelic_name = Obar Dheathain
| scots_name = Aiberdeen
| local_name = Granite City, Oil Capital of Europe, Silver City
| country = Scotland
| population = 202370
| population_ref=<ref name="population">{{cite web|url=http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=2506&sID=332|title=2005 Mid Year Population Estimate|publisher=Aberdeen City Council|accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
| population_density_/sqmi=2819
| population_density_/km2=1089
| population_density=<ref name = "dbjrij">{{cite web|url=http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files/05mype-cahb-t9.pdf|title=Land Area and Population Density|author=General Register for Scotland|accessdate=2007-03-12}}</ref>
| os_grid_reference = NJ925065
| edinburgh_distance_mi =94
| edinburgh_distance_km =151
| edinburgh_distance =<ref name="indo">{{cite web|url=http://www.indo.com/distance/index.html|title=How Far Is It?|author=Indo.com|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref>
| london_distance_mi =403
| london_distance_km =649
| london_distance =<ref name="indo" />
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language1 = [[Scots language|Scots]] ([[Doric dialect (Scotland)|Doric]])
| latitude = 57.1526
| longitude = -2.1100
| post_town = ABERDEEN
| postcode_area = AB
| postcode_district = AB10-AB13 (part), AB15, AB16, AB22-AB25
| dial_code = 01224
| constituency_westminster = [[Aberdeen South (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen South]]
| constituency_westminster1 = [[Aberdeen North (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen North]]
| constituency_westminster2 = [[Gordon (UK Parliament constituency)|Gordon]]
| unitary_scotland = [[Politics of Aberdeen|City of Aberdeen]]
| lieutenancy_scotland = Aberdeen
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[North East Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|North East Scotland]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament1 = [[Aberdeen Central (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen Central]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament2 = [[Aberdeen North (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen North]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament3 = [[Aberdeen South (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen South]]
| website = [http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk aberdeencity.gov.uk]
| static_image= [[Image:Flag of Aberdeen.gif|130px|left]][[Image:Aberdeen city council.png|90px|right]]
| static_image_caption=
}}
'''Aberdeen''' ([[help:pronunciation|pronounced]] {{Audio-IPA|lang=UK English|Aberdeencity.OGG|/ˌæbɚˈdiːn/}}; {{lang-sco|Aiberdeen}}, {{lang-gd|Obar Dheathain}}) is [[Scotland]]'s third largest [[City status in the United Kingdom|city]] with an official population of 202,370,<ref name="population"/> and one of Scotland's 32 [[Local government in Scotland|local government]] [[Council areas of Scotland|council areas]].

Nicknames include the ''Granite City'' and the ''Silver City with the Golden Sands''. During the mid-18th to mid-20th centuries, Aberdeen's buildings incorporated locally quarried grey [[granite]], whose mica deposits sparkle like silver.<ref name="agtb">{{cite web|url=http://www.agtb.org/aberdeen-scotland.htm|publisher=Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board|title=The Granite City|accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> The city has a long, sandy [[coast]]line. Since the discovery of [[North Sea oil]] in the 1970s, other nicknames have been the ''Oil Capital of Europe'' or the ''Energy Capital of Europe''.<ref name="uni-abdn">{{cite web|url=http://www.abdn.ac.uk/central/abdn/|title=About Aberdeen|publisher=University of Aberdeen|accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>

The area around Aberdeen has been settled for at least 8000 years,<ref name="prehistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/aberdeenpics.htm|title=Welcome to Aberdeen|publisher=Aberdeen Accommodation Index|accessdate=2007-02-19}}</ref> when prehistoric villages lay around the mouths of the [[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]] and [[River Don, Aberdeenshire|River Don]].{{Fact|date=November 2007}}

In 1319, Aberdeen received [[Royal burgh|Royal Burgh]] status from [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]], transforming the city economically. The city's two universities, the [[University of Aberdeen]], founded in 1495, and the [[Robert Gordon University]], which was awarded university status in 1992, make Aberdeen the educational centre of the north-east. The traditional industries of fishing, paper-making, shipbuilding, and textiles have been overtaken by the [[Petroleum industry|oil industry]] and Aberdeen's [[port|seaport]]. Aberdeen Heliport is one of the busiest commercial heliports in the world<ref name="BAA">{{citeweb|url=http://www.aberdeenairport.com/portal/site/default/menuitem.25db388ed11fced74aafa810c02865a0|title=BAA Aberdeen Airport|accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref> and the seaport is the largest in the north-east of Scotland.<ref name"seaport">{{citeweb|url=http://uk.archiseek.com/scotland/aberdeen/index.html|title=Architecture of Aberdeen, Scotland|accessdate=2007-05-23}}</ref>

Aberdeen has won the [[Britain in Bloom]] competition a record breaking ten times,<ref name="floral" /> and hosts the [[Aberdeen International Youth Festival]].

==History==
[[Image:Aberdeen Market Cross.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Aberdeen [[Mercat Cross]]]]
[[Image:Aberdeen1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|<center>Aberdeen (c.1900)]]
{{Main|History of Aberdeen}}
The Aberdeen area has seen human settlement for at least 8,000 years.<ref name="prehistory" /> The city began as two separate [[burgh]]s: [[Old Aberdeen]] at the mouth of the river Don; and New Aberdeen, a fishing and trading settlement, where the Denburn waterway entered the river Dee estuary. The earliest [[charter]] was granted by [[William I of Scotland|William the Lion]] in 1179 and confirmed the corporate rights granted by [[David I of Scotland|David I]]. In 1319, the Great Charter of [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]] transformed Aberdeen into a property-owning and financially independent community. Granted with it was the nearby [[Forest of Stocket]], whose income formed the basis for the city's [[Common Good Fund (Aberdeen)|Common Good Fund]] which still benefits Aberdonians.<ref name="keith">{{cite book|author=Keith, Alexander|date=1987|title=A Thousand Years of Aberdeen|location=Aberdeen|publisher=Aberdeen University Press}}</ref><ref name="fraser">{{cite book|first=W. Hamish|last=Fraser|title=Aberdeen, 1800 to 2000: A New History|year=2000|publisher=Tuckwell Press|location=Edinburgh}}</ref>

During the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]], Aberdeen was under [[England|English]] rule, so [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]] laid siege to [[Aberdeen Castle]] before destroying it in 1308 followed by the massacring of the English garrison and the retaking of Aberdeen for the townspeople. The city was burned by [[Edward III of England]] in 1336, but was rebuilt and extended, and called New Aberdeen. The city was strongly fortified to prevent attacks by neighbouring lords, but the gates were removed by 1770. During the [[Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms|Wars of the Three Kingdoms]] of 1644-1647 the city was impartially plundered by both sides. In 1644, it was taken and ransacked by Royalist troops after the [[Battle of Aberdeen]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Chris|last=Brown|title=The Battle of Aberdeen 1644|year=2002|publisher=Tempus Publishing|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire}}</ref> In 1647 an outbreak of [[bubonic plague]] killed a quarter of the population.

In the eighteenth century, a new Town Hall was built and the first social services appeared with the [[Aberdeen Royal Infirmary|Infirmary]] at [[Woolmanhill Hospital|Woolmanhill]] in 1742 and the Lunatic Asylum in 1779. The council began major road improvements at the end of the century with the main thoroughfares of George Street, King Street and [[Union Street, Aberdeen|Union Street]] all completed at the start of the next century.

A century later, the increasing economic importance of Aberdeen and the development of the shipbuilding and fishing industries led to the existing harbour with Victoria Dock, the South Breakwater, and the extension to the North Pier. The expensive infrastructure program had repercussions, and in 1817 the city was bankrupt. However, a recovery was made in the general prosperity which followed the [[Napoleonic Wars|Napoleonic wars]]. Gas street lighting arrived in 1824 and an enhanced water supply appeared in 1830 when water was pumped from the Dee to a reservoir in Union Place. An underground sewer system replaced open sewers in 1865.<ref name="fraser" />

The city was first [[Municipal corporation|incorporated]] in 1891. Although Old Aberdeen still has a separate charter and history, it and New Aberdeen are no longer truly distinct. They are both part of the city, along with Woodside and the [[Royal Burgh]] of [[Torry]] to the south of the River Dee.

===Toponymy===
{{Main|Etymology of Aberdeen}}
[[Old Aberdeen]] is the approximate location of ''Aberdon'' the first settlement of Aberdeen; this literally means "at the confluence of the Don [ie. with the sea]" in relation to the local river. The modern name, Aberdeen literally means between the Dee and Don (the other local river) The [[Celtic languages|Celtic]] prefix; "Aber-" means "the confluence of" in relation to the rivers.<ref name="Charnock">{{citebook|author=Richard Stephen Charnock|title=Local Etymology: A Derivative Dictionary of Geographical Names|published= 1859|publisher=Houlston and Wright}}</ref>

[[Scottish Gaelic language|Gaelic]] scholars believe the name came from the prefix ''Aber-'' and ''da-aevi'' (variation;''Da-abhuin'', ''Da-awin'') - which means "the mouth of two rivers". In Gaelic the name is ''Obar Dheathain'' (variation; ''Obairreadhain'') and in [[Latin]], the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] referred to it as ''Devana''. Mediaeval (or ecclesiastical) Latin has it as ''Aberdonia''.

==Governance==
{{Main|Politics of Aberdeen}}
{{seealso|List of Provosts and Lord Provosts of Aberdeen}}
[[Image:New acc logo.gif|thumb|right|''[[Aberdeen City Council]]'''s logo with "Simplified" Coat of Arms.]]

Aberdeen is locally governed by Aberdeen City Council, which comprises forty-three councillors who represent the city's [[ward (politics)|wards]] and is headed by the [[List of Provosts and Lord Provosts of Aberdeen|Lord Provost]] who is currently Provost Peter Stephen.

From May 2003 until May 2007 the council was run with a [[Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]] and [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] coalition. Following the May 2007 elections the Liberal Democrats formed a new coalition with the [[Scottish National Party]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6654023.stm Lib Dems and SNP in Aberdeen deal], BBC News, May 14 2007</ref> The council consists of: 15 Liberal Democrat, 13 SNP, 10 [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], 4 Conservative councillors and a single independent councillor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/acci/web/site/xac_Councillor.asp?s=3|title=Aberdeen City Councillors|publisher=Aberdeen City Council|accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>

Aberdeen is represented in the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] by three [[constituencies]]: [[Aberdeen North (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen North]], [[Aberdeen South (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen South]] and [[Gordon (UK Parliament constituency)|Gordon]], of which the first two are wholly within the Aberdeen City council area while the latter also encompasses a large swathe of [[Aberdeenshire]].

In the [[Scottish Parliament]] the city is represented again by three constituencies, all of which are solely within the council area: [[Aberdeen North (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen North]], [[Aberdeen Central (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen Central]] and [[Aberdeen South (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Aberdeen South]] and by a further seven MSPs elected as part of the [[North East Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|North East Scotland]] electoral region.

In the [[European Union]], the city is represented by seven [[Member of the European Parliament|MEPs]], as part of the all inclusive Scotland constituency in the [[European Parliament]].

===Heraldry===
{{Main|Heraldry of Aberdeen}}
Symbols of the city typically show three castles, such as in the case of the flag and coat of arms. The image has been around since the time of [[Robert the Bruce]] and represents the buildings that stood on the three hills of Aberdeen; [[Aberdeen Castle]] on Castle Hill (today's [[Castlegate, Aberdeen|castlegate]]); an unknown building on Windmill Hill and a church on St. Catherine's Hill (now levelled).<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/councils/councilfirst1.html|title=Aberdeen City|accessdate=2007-05-15|author=Gazetter for Scotland}}</ref>

Bon Accord, is the [[motto]] of the city and is [[French language|French]] literally for "Good Agreement". Legend tells that its use dates from the fourteenth century password used by Robert the Bruce during the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]], when he and his men laid siege to Aberdeen Castle before destroying it in 1308.<ref name="keith" />

The [[leopard]] has traditionally been associated with the city and its emblem can be seen on the city crest. The local magazine is called the "Leopard" and when Union Bridge was constructed in the nineteenth century small statues of the creature in a sitting position were cast and placed on top of the railing posts.

The city's toast is "Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again", this has been commonly misinterpreted as the translation of Bon Accord.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-publishing.com/Pages/AberdeenOG/introducing.html|title=Aberdeen Official Guide|publisher=Aberdeen City Council|accessdate=2007-02-17}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Aberdeen}}
The mean temperature is {{nowrap|8 [[Celsius|°C]]}} ({{nowrap|47 [[Fahrenheit|°F]])}} and it varies between an average low of {{nowrap|5 °C}} ({{nowrap|41 °F}}) and {{nowrap|11 °C}} ({{nowrap|52 °F}}). In summer (June - August) the average high is {{nowrap|16 °C}} ({{nowrap|63 °F}}) and average low {{nowrap|9 °C}} ({{nowrap|49 °F}}). In winter (December - February) the average high is {{nowrap|6 °C}} ({{nowrap|43 °F}}) and average low {{nowrap|0 °C}} ({{nowrap|33 °F}}).<ref name="climatestats">{{citeweb|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/longterm/historical/data/aberdeen_unitedkingdom.htm|title=Aberdeen, United Kingdom|accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref>

The average yearly precipitation is 753&nbsp;[[millimetre]]s (29.7 [[inch|in]]), with 64&nbsp;millimetres (2.5&nbsp;[[inch|in]]) in summer (June - August) and 62&nbsp;millimetres ({{nowrap|2.5 in}}) in winter (December - February). The wettest months are October and November.<ref name="climatestats" />
{{-}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000080" height="17" | Average (unless stated) per Month
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Average
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jan
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Feb
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Mar
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Apr
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | May
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jun
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jul
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Aug
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Sep
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Oct
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Nov
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Dec
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | High temperature Celsius (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 11 (52)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" | 5 (42)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" | 7 (46)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 10 (50)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 12 (55)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 15 (60)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 17 (64)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 17 (64)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 15 (59)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 11 (53)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" | 8 (47)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" | 6 (44)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" | Low temperature Celsius (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 5 (41)
| style="background: #80FFFF; color: black;" | 0 (32)
| style="background: #80FFFF; color: black;" | 0 (33)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 1 (35)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 2 (37)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 5 (42)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 8 (47)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 10 (51)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 10 (50)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 7 (46)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 5 (42)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 2 (37)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 1 (35)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Highest recorded temp. Celsius (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Highest ever: 30 (86)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 17 (63)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 17 (63)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 20 (68)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 23 (74)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 24 (76)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 26 (79)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 30 (86)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 29 (84)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 24 (76)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 21 (70)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 16 (62)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 15 (60)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Lowest recorded temp. Celsius (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Lowest ever: -18 (-2)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -18 (-2)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -15 (5)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -11 (12)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -3 (25)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -3 (26)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 0 (33)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 2 (37)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 0 (32)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -2 (28)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -3 (25)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -15 (5)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | -13 (7)
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|''Source: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/longterm/historical/data/aberdeen_unitedkingdom.htm Washington Post Weather]
|}

Being sited between two river mouths, the city has little natural exposure of bedrock. This leaves local geologists in a slight quandary : despite the high concentration of geoscientists in the area (courtesy of the oil industry), there is only a vague understanding of what underlays the city. To the south side of the city, coastal cliffs expose high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Grampian Group; to the south-west and west are extensive granites intruded into similar high-grade schists; to the north the metamorphics are intruded by gabbroic complexes instead. And under the city itself? The small amount of geophysics done, and occasional building-related exposures, combined with small exposures in the banks of the River Don, suggest that it's actually sited on an inlier of Devonian "Old Red" sandstones and silts. The outskirts of the city spread beyond the (inferred) limits of the outlier onto the surrounding metamorphic/ igneous complexes formed during the [[Dalradian]] period (approximately 480-600 million years ago) with sporadic areas of [[igneous rock|igneous]] [[Diorite]] [[granite]]s to be found, such as that at the [[Rubislaw quarry]] which was used to build much of the [[Victorian era|Victorian]] parts of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/councils/councildetails1.html|title=Details of Aberdeen City|author=Gazetter for Scotland|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref>

On the coast, Aberdeen has a long sand beach between the two rivers, the [[river Dee, Aberdeenshire|Dee]] and the [[river Don, Aberdeenshire|Don]], which turns into high [[sand dunes]] north of the Don stretching as far as [[Fraserburgh]] ; to the south of the Dee are steep rocky cliff faces with only minor pebble and shingle beaches in deep inlets. A number of granite outcrops along the south coast have been quarried in the past, making for spectacular scenery and good rock-climbing.

The city extends to 71.22&nbsp;[[square mile]]s (184.46&nbsp;[[Square kilometre|km²]]), and includes the former burghs of [[Old Aberdeen]], New Aberdeen, [[Woodside, Aberdeen|Woodside]] and the [[Royal Burgh]] of [[Torry]] to the south of [[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]]. This gives the city a population density of 2,819 per [[square mile]] (1,089 per [[Square kilometre|km²]]).<ref name = "dbjrij"/> The city is built on many hills, with the original beginnings of the city growing from Castle Hill, St. Catherine's Hill and Windmill Hill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/councils/councilfirst1.html|title=Aberdeen City|publisher=The Gazetteer for Scotland|accessdate=2007-02-20}}</ref>

==Demography==
[[Image:AberdeenDemographic.gif|right|thumb|Aberdeen demographics<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk|title=Data Documentation|accessdate=2007-05-15}}</ref>]]

In 1396 the population was about 3,000. By 1801 it had become 26,992; (1901) 153,503; (1941) 182,467.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10192985&c_id=10090283&add=N|title=Aberdeen Population|accessdate=2007-02-19}}</ref> In 2001 the UK [[census]] records the [[Aberdeen City Council]] area's population at 212,125,<ref name="councilpop">{{cite web|url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=Aberdeen+City&mainLevel=CouncilArea|title=Comparative Population Profile: Aberdeen City Council Area, Scotland|accessdate=2007-02-21}}</ref> but the Aberdeen locality's population at 184,788.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=Aberdeen&mainLevel=Locality|title=Comparative Population Profile: Aberdeen Locality, Scotland|accessdate=2007-02-21}}</ref> The latest official population estimate, published by the General Register for Scotland for 2005, is 202,370.<ref name="population" /> Data from the Aberdeen specific locality of the 2001 UK census shows that the demographics include a median male age of 35 and female age of 38 which are younger than Scotland's average and a 49% to 51% male to female ratio.<ref name="councilpop" />

The census showed that there are fewer young people in Aberdeen, with 16.4&nbsp;% under 16, opposed to the national average of 19.2&nbsp;%.<ref name="citycensusreview" /> Ethnically, 15.7&nbsp;% were born outside of Scotland, higher than the national average of 12.9&nbsp;%. Of this population 8.4&nbsp;% were born in England.<ref name="citycensusreview" /> 3&nbsp;% of Aberdonians stated to be from an ethnic minority (non-white) in the 2001 census, with 0.7% from the Indian-subcontinent and 0.6% Asian, in comparison Scotland's overall population of non-white origin is 2&nbsp;%. However this is a lower percentage than any of Scotland's other three main cities, [[Glasgow]], [[Edinburgh]], and [[Dundee]].<ref name="citycensusreview" /> However there are large numbers of Poles, Lithuanians and Russians. There is also a growing number of people from Africa, especially from Nigeria. The most multicultural part of the city is George Street, which has many ethnic restaurants, supermarkets and hairdressers

In the household, there were 97,013 individual dwellings recorded in the city of which 61% were privately owned, 9% privately rented and 23% rented from the council. The most popular type of dwellings are apartments which compromise 49% of residences followed by semi-detached at just below 22%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Household&mainLevel=CouncilArea&mainArea=Aberdeen+City&mainText=&mainTextExplicitMatch=null&compLevel=CountryProfile&compArea=Scotland&compText=&compTextExplicitMatch=null|title=Comparative Household Profile: Aberdeen City Council Area, Scotland|accessdate=2007-02-21}}</ref>
The average income of a household in the city is £16,813<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=1708&sID=332|title=Low Income Households in Aberdeen|author=Aberdeen City Council|accessdate=2007-03-12}}</ref> (2005) which places approximately 18% households in the city below the poverty line (defined as 60% of the mean income). Conversely, an Aberdeen postcode has the second highest number of millionaires of any postcode in the UK. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/newspapers/sunday_times/scotland/article559957.ece]

===Religion===

[[Image:St. Machar's Cathedral tower, Aberdeen.jpg|thumb|left|[[St. Machar's Cathedral]]]]
{{Main|Religion in Aberdeen}}
Traditionally [[Christian]], Aberdeen's largest denominations are the [[Church of Scotland]] through the [[Presbytery of Aberdeen]] and the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. The last census revealed that Aberdeen is the least religious city in Scotland, with nearly 43&nbsp;% of people claiming to have no religion<ref name="citycensusreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=1726&sID=332|title=2001 Census: Key Statistics - Aberdeen City|author=Aberdeen City Council|accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref> and several former churches in the city have been converted into bars and restaurants.<ref>[http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/aberdeen.cfm?id=768532006 Minister thrown out of trendy nightclub that used to be his church], ''[[The Scotsman]]'', [[May 24]] [[2006]]</ref>

In the [[Middle Ages]], the [[Kirk of St Nicholas, Aberdeen|Kirk of St Nicholas]] was the only burgh kirk and one of [[Scotland]]'s largest parish churches. Like a number of other Scottish kirks, it was subdivided after the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]], in this case into the East and West churches. At this time, the city also was home to houses of the [[Carmelites]] ([[Carmelites|Whitefriars]]) and [[Franciscans]] ([[Greyfriars]]), the latter of which surviving in modified form as the chapel of Marischal College as late as the early twentieth Century.

[[St Machar's Cathedral]] was formed twenty years after [[David I of Scotland|David I]] (1124-53) transferred the pre-Reformation [[Diocese]] from Mortlach in [[Banffshire]] to Old Aberdeen in 1137. With the exception of the episcopate of [[William Elphinstone]] (1484-1511), building progressed slowly. [[Gavin Dunbar]], who followed him in 1518, completed the structure by adding the two western spires and the southern transept.

[[St. Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen|St. Mary's Cathedral]] is a [[Roman Catholic]] Cathedral in [[Gothic style]], erected in 1859.

[[St. Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen|St. Andrew's Cathedral]] is the [[Scottish Episcopal Church|Scottish Episcopal]] Cathedral, constructed in 1817 as Archibald Simpson's first commission. It is notable for having consecrated the first bishop of the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]].

There is also an [[Islam]]ic Mosque in Old Aberdeen and an Orthodox Jewish Synagogue established in 1945. There are no formal [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] or [[Hinduism|Hindu]] buildings. The [[University of Aberdeen]] has a small [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]] society.

==Economy==

[[Image:Donside Paper Mill under demolition 2006.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Donside Paper Mill under demolition, [[February 15]], [[2006]]]]
[[Image:Oil platform in the North Sea.jpg|thumb|200px|Oil and Gas Drilling rig]]
[[Image:BelmontStreetMarket-81625-Peter Ward.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Belmont Street Farmers Market]]
{{Main|Economy of Aberdeen|Retail in Aberdeen|Oil Industry in Aberdeen}}
Traditionally, Aberdeen was home to fishing, textile mills, shipbuilding and paper making. These industries have been largely replaced. High technology developments in the electronics design and development industry, research in agriculture and fishing and the [[oil industry]], which has been largely responsible for Aberdeen's economic boom in the last three decades, are now major parts of Aberdeen's economy.

Until the 1970s, most of Aberdeen's leading industries dated from the eighteenth Century; mainly these were textiles, foundry work, shipbuilding and [[paper]]-making, the oldest industry in the city, with paper having been first made there in 1694. Paper-making has reduced in importance since the closures of Donside Paper Mill in 2001 and the Davidson Mill in 2005 leaving the Stoneywood Paper Mill with a workforce of approximately 500. Textile production ended in 2004 when [[Richards of Aberdeen]] closed.

Grey granite was [[quarry|quarried]] at [[Rubislaw quarry]] for more than 300 years, and used for paving setts, kerb and building stones, and monumental and other ornamental pieces. Aberdeen granite was used to build the terraces of the [[Houses of Parliament]] and [[Waterloo Bridge]] in [[London]]. Quarrying finally ceased in 1971.

Fishing was once the predominant industry, but was surpassed by deep-sea fisheries, which derived a great impetus from improved technologies throughout the twentieth Century. Catches have fallen due to overfishing and the use of the harbour by oil support vessels,<ref name="harbour">{{cite web|url=http://www.aberdeen-harbour.co.uk/history.html|title=Aberdeen Harbour: A History of Service|publisher=Aberdeen Harbour Board|accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref> and so although still an important fishing port it is now eclipsed by the more northerly ports of [[Peterhead]] and [[Fraserburgh]]. The [[Fisheries Research Services]] is based in Aberdeen, including its headquarters, and a marine research lab in Torry.

Aberdeen is well regarded for the agricultural and soil research that takes place at [[The Macaulay Institute]], which has close links to the city's two universities. The [[Rowett Research Institute]] is a world renowned research centre for studies into food and nutrition located in Aberdeen. It has produced three Nobel laureates and there is a high concentration of [[life scientists]] working in the city.<ref name="rowett">{{cite web|url=http://www.rowett.ac.uk/institute/history.html|title=History and Background|publisher=Rowett Research Institute|accessdate=2007-02-01}}</ref><ref name="newscientist">{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencejobs.com/insider/article.action?article.id=insider126&focusId=scotland|title=A Scientist's guide to Scotland|publisher=New Scientist|accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>

There is also a dynamic and fast growing electronics design and development industry. {{Fact|date=March 2008}}

With the discovery of significant [[North Sea oil|oil deposit]]s in the [[North Sea]] during the late twentieth Century, Aberdeen became the centre of [[Europe]]'s [[petroleum]] industry. With the second largest heliport in the world and an important service ship harbour port serving [[oil rig]]s off-shore, Aberdeen is often called the ''Oil Capital of Europe''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talentscotland.com/view_item.aspx?item_id=912|title=Aberdeen - Introduction to the city|publisher=Scottish Enterprise|accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref>

There is now a concerted effort to transform Aberdeen's reputation as the ''Oil Capital of Europe'' into the ''Energy Capital of Europe'' as oil supplies may start to dwindle in coming years, and there is considerable interest in the development of new energy sources; and technology transfer from oil into renewable energy and other industries is underway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3236703.stm|title=A burst of energy in Europe's oil capital|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=[[2003-11-12]]}}</ref>

The city ranks third in Scotland for shopping. The traditional shopping streets are [[Union Street, Aberdeen|Union Street]] and [[George Street, Aberdeen|George Street]] which are now complemented by shopping centres, notably the [[Bon Accord-St Nicholas Centre]] and the [[The Mall Trinity]]. A new retail development, Union Square, is nearing completion. Major retail parks away from the city centre include the Berryden Retail Park, the Kittybrewster Retail Park and the Beach Boulevard Retail Park.

==Landmarks==
{{Main|Architecture in Aberdeen}}

Aberdeen's [[architecture]] is known for its principal use during the [[Victorian era]] of [[granite]], which has led to its local [[nickname]] of the ''Granite City'' or more romantically the less commonly used name the ''Silver City'', since the [[quartz]] in the stone sparkles in the sun.<ref>[http://www.agtb.org/aberdeen-scotland.htm The Granite City<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The hard grey stone is one of the most durable materials available and helps to explain why the city's buildings look brand-new when they have been newly cleaned and the cement has been pointed. Unlike other [[Scotland|Scottish]] cities where [[sandstone]] has been used the buildings are not weathering and need very little structural maintenance on their masonry.

[[Image:Granite terrace in Aberdeen.jpg|thumb|center|600px|[[Granite]] [[Terraced house|terrace]] in central Aberdeen]]

Amongst the notable buildings in the city's main street, [[Union Street, Aberdeen|Union Street]], are the Town and County Bank, the [[The Music Hall (Aberdeen)|Music Hall]], the Trinity Hall of the incorporated trades (originating between 1398 and 1527), now a shopping mall; the former office of the Northern Assurance Company, and the National Bank of Scotland. In Castle Street, a continuation eastwards of Union Street, is the Town House, built in 1873 by Peddie and Kinnear.<ref>[http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst6629.html Overview of Town House<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

[[Marischal College]] on Broad Street, opened by King [[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|Edward VII]] in 1906, is the second largest granite building in the world (after the [[Escorial]], [[Madrid]])<ref>[http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst1482.html Overview of Marischal College<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.

==Transport==

[[Image:Aberdeenconcourse.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Aberdeen Railway Station]]
{{Main|Transport in Aberdeen}}
[[Aberdeen Airport]] (ABZ), at [[Dyce]] in the north of the city, serves a number of domestic and international destinations including [[France]], [[Netherlands]], [[Spain]], [[Belgium]], [[Austria]], [[Ireland]] and [[Scandinavia]]n countries. The heliport which serves the oil industry and rescue services is one of the busiest commercial heliports in the world.<ref name="BAA"/>

[[Aberdeen railway station]] is on the main UK rail network and connects directly to major cities such as [[Edinburgh]] and [[London]].

Until 2007, a 1950s style concrete bus station at Guild Street served out of the city locations; it has since transferred to a new and well presented bus station just 100 metres to the East off Market Street as part of the Union Square development.

There are five major roads in and out of the city. The A90 is the main arterial route into the city from the north and south, linking Aberdeen to Edinburgh, [[Dundee]] and [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] in the south and [[Ellon, Aberdeenshire|Ellon]], [[Peterhead]] and [[Fraserburgh]] in the north. The A96 links to [[Elgin, Moray|Elgin]] and [[Inverness]] and the north west. The A93 is the main route to the west, heading towards Royal Deeside and the [[Cairngorms]]. After [[Braemar]], it turns south, providing an alternative tourist route to Perth. The A92 was the original southerly road to Aberdeen prior to the building of the A90, and is now used as a tourist route, connecting the towns of [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]], [[Arbroath]] and [[Brechin]] on the east coast. The A947 exits the city at Dyce and goes on to [[Newmachar]], [[Oldmeldrum]] and [[Turriff]] finally ending at [[Banff and Macduff]].

Aberdeen Harbour is important as the largest in the north of Scotland and as a ferry route to [[Orkney]] and [[Shetland]]. Established in 1136, it has been referred to as the oldest business in Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-publishing.com/Pages/AberdeenOG/fact.html|title=It's a fact: 50 things you may not have known about Aberdeen|publisher=Aberdeen Official Guide|accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref>

[[First Group]], headquartered in Aberdeen, operate the city buses in the city under the name FirstBus Aberdeen.

Aberdeen is connected to the UK [[National Cycle Network]], and has a track to the south connecting to cities such as Dundee and Edinburgh and one to the north that forks about {{nowrap|10 miles}} from the city into two different tracks heading to Inverness and [[Fraserburgh]] respectively. Two particularly popular footpaths along old railway tracks are the [[Deeside Way]] to [[Banchory]] (which will eventually connect to Ballater) and the [[Formartine and Buchan Way]] to Ellon, both are used by a mixture of cyclists, walkers and occasionally horses. It has four Park and Ride sites which service the city, Stonehaven and Ellon (approx 12-17miles out from city centre) and Kingswells and Bridge of Don (approx 3-4miles out from city centre).

==Education==

[[Image:Elphinstone Hall2.jpg|thumb|left|University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Hall]]
[[Image:Oldkingsaberdeen.jpg|thumb|left|King's College, Old Aberdeen]]

{{Main|Education in Aberdeen}}

===Universities and colleges===

Aberdeen has two universities, the [[University of Aberdeen]] and [[Robert Gordon University|The Robert Gordon University]]. Aberdeen's student rate of 11.5% is higher than the national average of 7%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Education&mainLevel=CouncilArea&mainArea=Aberdeen+City&mainText=&mainTextExplicitMatch=null&compLevel=CountryProfile&compArea=Scotland&compText=&compTextExplicitMatch=null|title=Comparative Education Profile: Aberdeen City Council Area, Scotland|accessdate=2007-02-21}}</ref>

The [[University of Aberdeen]] began life as [[King's College, Aberdeen]], which was founded in 1495 by [[William Elphinstone]] (1431-1514), [[Bishop of Aberdeen]] and Chancellor of Scotland. [[Marischal College]], a separate institution, was founded in "New" Aberdeen by George Keith, fifth Earl Marischal of Scotland in 1593. These institutions were amalgamated to form the present University of Aberdeen in 1860. The university is the fifth oldest in the English speaking world.<ref name="university">{{cite book|first=Jennifer|last=Carter|title=Crown and Gown: Illustrated History of the University of Aberdeen, 1495-1995|year=1994|location=Aberdeen|publisher=Aberdeen University Press}}</ref>

[[Robert Gordon's College]] (originally Robert Gordon's Hospital) was founded in 1729 by the merchant [[Robert Gordon]], grandson of the map maker Robert Gordon of Straloch, and was further endowed in 1816 by Alexander Simpson of Collyhill. Originally devoted to the instruction and maintenance of the sons of poor burgesses of guild and trade in the city, it was reorganised in 1881 as a day and night school for secondary and technical education. In 1903, the vocational education component of the college was designated a [[Central Institution]] and was renamed as the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology in 1965. In 1992, university status was gained and it became the [[Robert Gordon University]].

Aberdeen is also home to two artistic schools: [[Gray's School of Art]], founded in 1886, which is one of the oldest established colleges of art in the UK, and is now incorporated into Robert Gordon University; and [[The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and The Built Environment]], which is situated on the Garthdee Campus of the Robert Gordon University, next to Gray's School of Art.

[[Aberdeen College]] has several campuses in the city and offers a wide variety of part-time and full-time courses leading to several different qualifications. It is the largest further education institution in Scotland.<ref>[http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/release.php?id=62 Leading Scottish figures to be honoured by the University of Aberdeen], [[University of Aberdeen]] Media Release, [[November 19]] [[2004]]</ref>

===Schools===

There are currently 12 secondary schools and 54 primary schools which are run by the city council. The most notable are [[Harlaw Academy]], [[Cults Academy]], [[Oldmachar Academy]] and [[Aberdeen Grammar School]] (founded in 1257) which were all rated in the top 50 Scottish secondary schools league tables published by ''[[The Times]]'' in 2005.<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/top50statescotland.pdf
| title = Times newspaper Scottish state schools league table
| accessdate = 2007-01-24
| date = 2005
| language = English
}}
</ref>

There are a number of private schools in Aberdeen; [[Albyn School]] for Girls (co-educational as of 2005), [[St Margaret's School for Girls]], the [[Hamilton School]] (a [[Montessori]] school), [[Robert Gordon's College]], the [[Total S.A.|Total]] French School (for French oil industry families), the [[International School of Aberdeen]] and a [[Steiner school|Waldorf/Steiner School]].

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture in Aberdeen}}
[[Image:Playhouseaberdeen.jpg|thumb|left|200px|His Majesty's Theatre]]
[[Image:RossHouse-117156-Richard Slessor.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Looking down Shiprow with Provost Ross's house on the right]]
[[Image:Aberdeen buildings grey.JPG|thumb|left|200px]]
The city has a wide range of cultural activities, amenities and museums. The city is regularly visited by [[Scotland's National Arts Companies]]. The [[Aberdeen Art Gallery]] houses a collection of [[Impressionist]], [[Victorian era|Victorian]], Scottish and twentieth Century British paintings as well as collections of silver and glass. It also includes The Alexander Macdonald Bequest, a collection of late nineteenth century works donated by the museum's first benefactor and a constantly changing collection of contemporary work and regular visiting exhibitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aagm.co.uk/code/emuseum.asp?page=buildings_art_gallery|title=Aberdeen Art Gallery|publisher=Aberdeen Art Galleries and Museums|accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref>

===Museums and galleries===
The [[Aberdeen Maritime Museum]], located in Shiprow, tells the story of Aberdeen's links with the sea from the days of sail and [[clipper ships]] to the latest oil and gas exploration technology. It includes an {{nowrap|8.5 m}} ({{nowrap|28 feet}}) high model of the Murchison oil production platform and a nineteenth century assembly taken from [[Rattray Head]]lighthouse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aagm.co.uk/code/emuseum.asp?page=buildings_maritime_museum|title=Aberdeen Maritime Museum|publisher=Aberdeen Art Galleries and Museums|accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref>

[[Provost John Ross|Provost Ross' House]] is the second oldest dwelling house in the city. It was built in 1593 and became the residence of [[Provost John Ross]] of Arnage in 1702. The house retains some original [[medieval]] features, including a kitchen, fire places and beam-and-board ceilings.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst1498.html| title=Provost Ross' House| publisher=The Gazetteer for Scotland| accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref> The [[Gordon Highlanders Museum]] tells the story of one of Scotland's best known regiments.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.armymuseums.org.uk/amot-search/default.asp?Category=Amot&Service=Museum-Display&reference=0000000037| title=The Gordon Highlanders Museum| publisher=Army Museums Ogilby Trust| accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref>

[[Marischal Museum]] holds the principal collections of the [[University of Aberdeen]], comprising some 80,000 items in the areas of fine art, Scottish history and archaeology, and European, Mediterranean & Near Eastern archaeology. The permanent displays and reference collections are augmented by regular temporary exhibitions.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.abdn.ac.uk/historic/museum/| title=Marischal Museum: Introduction| publisher=University of Aberdeen| accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref>

===Performing arts===
Aberdeen is home to a host of events and festivals including the [[Aberdeen International Youth Festival]] (the world's largest arts festival for young performers), Aberdeen Jazz Festival, ''Rootin' Aboot'' (folk and roots music event based at the Lemon Tree), ''Triptych'', and the [[University of Aberdeen]]'s literature festival ''Word''.

In 2006 [[Simon Farquhar]]'s play Rainbow Kiss was staged at [[London]]'s [[Royal Court Theatre]]. Directed by [[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]] and starring Joe McFadden and [[Dawn Steele]], the play was an uncompromising depiction of Aberdeen life which, despite its strong sexual and violent content, won rave reviews from the liberal press and was applauded by MP for [[Aberdeen South]] [[Anne Begg]].

===Music and film===
Aberdeen's music scene includes a variety of live music venues including pubs, clubs, and church choirs. The bars of [[Belmont Street (Aberdeen)|Belmont Street]] are particularly known for featuring live music. [[Cèilidh]]s are also common in the city's halls. The many popular venues include The Moorings, The Lemon Tree, Drummonds, Moshulu (now owned by Barfly), Snafu, The Tunnels, the [[Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre]], and [[The Music Hall (Aberdeen)|Aberdeen Music Hall]].

Notable Aberdonian musicians include [[Evelyn Glennie]] and [[Annie Lennox]]. Contemporary composers [[John McLeod]] and [[Martin Dalby]] also hail from Aberdeen.

Cultural cinema, educational work and local film events are provided by [[The Belmont Picturehouse]]
on [[Belmont Street (Aberdeen)|Belmont Street]], Peacock Visual Arts and The Foyer.

===Open spaces===
[[Image:Union Terrace Gardens.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Union Terrace Gardens]]
[[Image:Duthie Park - Winter Gardens.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Duthie Park Winter Gardens]]
[[Image:Aberdeen Beach 2006.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Aberdeen Beach]]
{{Main|Green Spaces and Walkways in Aberdeen}}
Aberdeen has long been famous for its 45<ref name="floral" /> outstanding [[park]]s and [[garden]]s, and citywide floral displays which include two million roses, eleven million daffodils and three million crocuses. The city has won the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Britain in Bloom]] 'Best City' award ten times,<ref name="floral">{{cite web| url=http://www.british-publishing.com/Pages/AberdeenOG/floral.html| title=Floral Capital of Scotland|publisher=British Publishing| date=2007-02-20}}</ref> the overall Scotland in Bloom competition twenty times<ref name="floral" /> and the large city category every year since 1968.<ref name="floral" /> At one point after winning a period of nine years straight, Aberdeen was banned from the Britain in Bloom competition to give another city a chance.<ref>{{cite news| first=Maureen| last=Simpson| url=http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=149235&command=displayContent&sourceNode=149218&contentPK=15496368&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch | title=We're top of Brit parade| publisher=Press and Journal| date=[[2006-09-22]]}}</ref> The city won the 2006 Scotland in Bloom "Best City" award along with the International Cities in Bloom award. The suburb of [[Dyce]] also won the Small Towns award.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/scotland/aberdeen2006.asp| title=2006 winners| publisher=Royal Horticultural Society| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=149235&command=displayContent&sourceNode=149218&contentPK=16277782&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch | title=Aberdeen's blooming success goes worldwide| publisher=Press and Journal| date=[[2006-12-28]]}}</ref>

[[Duthie Park]] opened in 1899 on the north bank of the [[river Dee]]. It was named after and gifted to the city by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie of Ruthrieston in 1881. It has extensive gardens, a rose hill, boating pond, bandstand, and play area as well as Europe's second largest enclosed gardens the David Welch Winter Gardens. [[Hazlehead Park]], is large and forested, located on the outskirts of the city, it is popular with walkers in the forests, sports enthusiasts, naturalists and picnickers. There are football pitches, two golf courses, a pitch and putt course and a horse riding school.

Aberdeen's success in the Britain in Bloom competitions is often attributed to [[Johnston Gardens]], a small park of one hectare in the west end of the city containing many different flowers and plants which have been renowned for their beauty. The garden was in 2002, named the best garden in [[Great Britain|Britain]].<ref name="floral" />

[[Seaton Park]], formerly the grounds of a private house, is on the edge of the grounds of [[St Machar's Cathedral]]. The Cathedral Walk is maintained in a formal style with a great variety of plants providing a popular display. The park includes several other areas with contrasting styles to this.

[[Union Terrace Gardens]] opened in 1879 and is situated in the centre of the city. It is a popular rendezvous location in the heart of the city and is filled with trees of over 200 years old and flowers arranged in the city's coat of arms in summer.

Situated next to each other, [[Victoria Park, Aberdeen|Victoria Park]] and [[Westburn Park]] cover 26 acres between them. [[Victoria Park, Aberdeen|Victoria Park]] opened in 1871. There is a conservatory used as a seating area and a fountain made of fourteen different granites, presented to the people by the granite polishers and master builders of Aberdeen. Opposite to the north is [[Westburn Park]] opened in 1901. With large grass pitches it is widely used for field sports. There is large tennis centre with indoor and outdoor courts, a children's cycle track, play area and a grass boules lawn.

===Dialect===
{{Main|Doric dialect (Scotland)}} [http://www.lel.ed.ac.uk/dialects/nis.html Listen to recordings of a speaker of Scots from Aberdeen]
The local dialect of [[Lowland Scots]] is often known as the ''Doric'', and is spoken not just in the city, but across the north-east of Scotland. It differs somewhat from other Scots dialects most noticeable are the pronunciation ''f'' for what is normally written ''wh'' and ''ee'' for what in standard English would usually be written ''oo'' (Scots ''ui''). Every year the annual Doric Festival<ref>[http://www.thedoricfestival.com The Doric Festival]</ref> takes place in Aberdeenshire to celebrate the history of the north-east's language. As with all Scots dialects in urban areas, it is not spoken as widely as it used to be in Aberdeen.

===Media===
[[Image:PressAndJournalFrontPage.gif|thumb|left|200px|[[Press and Journal (Scotland)|The Press and Journal]]]]
{{Main|Media in Aberdeen}}
Aberdeen is home to Scotland's oldest newspaper [[Press and Journal (Scotland)|the Press and Journal]], first published in 1747. The ''Press and Journal'' and its sister paper the ''[[Evening Express]]'' are printed six days a week by [[Aberdeen Journals]]. There are three free newspapers: ''Aberdeen Record PM'', ''Aberdeen Citizen'' and ''Aberdeen Independent''.

[[BBC Scotland]] has a small building in Aberdeen's Beechgrove area, and BBC Aberdeen produces ''[[the Beechgrove Garden]]'' television and radio programmes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beechgrove.co.uk/home/Default.asp|title=The Beechgrove Garden|publisher=Tern Television|accessdate=}}</ref> The city is home for the [[STV]] headquarters
alongside [[Glasgow]], which has replaced [[Grampian Television]] and [[Scottish Television]]. The local news programme ''[[North Tonight]]'' is produced from the STV Aberdeen headquarters and broadcasted to northern Scotland.

There are two commercial radio stations operating within the city, [[Northsound Radio]], which runs [[Northsound One]] and [[Northsound Two]], and Original 106 run by CanWest. Other radio stations include NECR FM (''North-East Community Radio FM'') [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] station<ref name="radio">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalradionow.com/statl.php|title= Digital Radio Now, Station List|accessdate=}}</ref> and shmu FM [http://www.shmufm.net], managed by ''Station House Media Unit'' [http://www.shmu.org.uk] which supports community members to run Aberdeen's first (and only) full-time community radio station, broadcasting on {{nowrap|99.8 MHz}} FM.

===Sport===
[[Image:Richard Donald Stand.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Pittodrie]]'s Dick Donald Stand]]
{{Main|Sport in Aberdeen}}
The [[Scottish Premier League]] football club, [[Aberdeen Football Club|Aberdeen FC]] play at [[Pittodrie]]. The club won the [[European Cup Winners Cup]] and the [[European Super Cup]] in 1983, and three [[Scottish Premier League]] Championships between 1980 and 1985. The other senior team is [[Cove Rangers F.C.]] of the [[Highland Football League]] (HFL), who play at [[Allan Park, Aberdeen|Allan Park]] in the suburb of [[Cove Bay]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.highlandfootballleague.com/clubs/showclub.php?id=4| title=Cove Rangers FC| publisher=Highland Football League| accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> Cove won the HFL championship in 2001. There was also a historic senior team [[Bon Accord F.C.]] who no longer play. Local junior teams include [[Banks O' Dee F.C.]], [[Culter F.C.]], [[F.C. Stoneywood]], [[Glentanar F.C.]] and [[Hermes F.C.]].

Aberdeen hosted [[Caledonia Reds]] a Scottish rugby franchise, before they merged with the [[Glasgow Warriors]] in [[1998]]. The city is also home to the [[BT Premiership Division Two]] rugby club [[Aberdeen GSFP RFC]] who play at [[Rubislaw Playing Fields]], and Aberdeenshire RFC which was founded in 1875 and runs Junior, Senior Mens, Senior Landies and Touch sections from the Woodside Sports Complex [http://www.aberdeenshirerfc.org.uk/] and also Aberdeen Wanderers RFC. Former Wanderers' player [[Jason White (rugby player)|Jason White]] was captain of the [[Scotland national rugby union team]].

The [[Royal Aberdeen Golf Club]], founded in 1780 and the oldest golf club in Aberdeen, hosted the [[Senior British Open]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/4750395.stm| title=Golf event to swing into Aberdeen| date=[[2006-05-08]]| publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> The club has a second course, and there are public golf courses at Auchmill, [[Balnagask]], [[Hazlehead Park|Hazlehead]] and King's Links.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/web/site/Sports/spr_GolfHomepage.asp?menuid=m101603| title=Aberdeen City Golf Homepage| publisher=Aberdeen City Council| accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> The 1999 winner of the [[The Open Championship]], [[Paul Lawrie]], hails from the city.

The ''City of Aberdeen Swim Team'' (COAST) is based in Northfield swimming pool and has been in operation since 1996. The team comprises several smaller swimming clubs, and has enjoyed success throughout Scotland and in international competitions. Three of the team's swimmers qualified for the 2006 [[Commonwealth Games]].<ref name="COAST">{{cite web| url=http://www.coast-swimming.org.uk/| title=City of Aberdeen Swim Team| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>

The city council operates public tennis courts in various parks including an indoor tennis centre at Westburn Park. The Beach Leisure Centre is home to a climbing wall and gymnasium and there are numerous swimming pools dotted around the city notably the largest, the Bon-Accord Baths.

==Public services==
Aberdeen's health is provided for most people by [[NHS Scotland]] through the [[NHS Grampian]] health board. [[Aberdeen Royal Infirmary]] is the main hospital in the city, with the [[Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital]] for children, the [[Royal Cornhill Hospital]] for mental health and the [[Woodend Hospital]] and [[Woolmanhill Hospital]]s.

Privately there is the [[Albyn Hospital]] on Albyn Place which is owned and operated by BMI Healthcare.

[[Aberdeen City Council]] is responsible for city owned infrastructure which is paid for by a mixture of council tax and income from [[HM Treasury]]. Infrastructure and services run by the council include: clearing snow in winter, maintaining parks, refuse collection, sewage, street cleaning and street lighting. Infrastructure in private hands includes electricity, gas and telecoms. Water supplies are provided by [[Scottish Water]].

*'''Police:''' Policing in Aberdeen is responsibility of [[Grampian Police]] (the [[British Transport Police]] has responsibility for railways). The Grampian Police headquarters (and Aberdeen divisional headquarters) is located in Queen Street, Aberdeen.

*'''Ambulance:''' The North East divisional headquarters of the [[Scottish Ambulance Service]] is located in Aberdeen[http://www.scottishambulance.com/about/northeast.asp].

*'''Fire and rescue:''' This is the responsibility of the [[Grampian Fire and Rescue Service]]; the service operates distinctive white painted [[fire engines]] (other UK fire brigades use red vehicles).

*'''Lifeboat:''' The [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution]] operates Aberdeen lifeboat station. It is located at Victoria Dock Entrance in York Place [http://www.aberdeen-lifeboat.org.uk/]. The current building was opened in 1997.

==Twin Towns==
:{{flagicon|Germany}} - [[Regensburg]], [[Germany]] (1955)<ref name="twin">{{citeweb|url=http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/web/site/Tourism/SL/tur_TownTwinning.asp|title=Twinning|publisher=Aberdeen City Council|accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
:{{flagicon|France}} - [[Clermont-Ferrand]], [[France]] (1983)<ref name="twin"/>
:{{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} - [[Bulawayo]], [[Zimbabwe]] (1986)<ref name="twin"/>
:{{flagicon|Norway}} - [[Stavanger]], [[Norway]] (1990)<ref name="twin"/>
:{{flagicon|Belarus}} - [[Gomel]], [[Belarus]] (1990)<ref name="twin"/>

==Notable people==
{{main|Notable Aberdonians}}
{|
| valign="top" |
* [[Paul Lawrie]], [[the Open]] winning golfer
* [[Annie Lennox]], musician
* [[Simon Farquhar]], writer
* [[Denis Law]], football player
* [[Nicol Stephen]], Scottish Liberal Democrats leader, former [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland]].
* [[Andrew Cruickshank]], actor famous for his role in [[Dr Finlay's Casebook]].
| valign="top" |
* [[Thomas Blake Glover]], the founder of [[Mitsubishi]]
* [[Bertie Charles Forbes]] (from Aberdeenshire), founded [[Forbes]]
* [[Archibald Simpson]], architect, influential in design of Aberdeens's modern centre.
* [[George Steele]], one of the 13 founders of the Chicago Board of Trade in 1848.
* [[Scott Booth]], former striker for [[Aberdeen F.C.]] and the [[Scotland national football team|Scottish national football team]]

|}

==Fictional references==

*[[Stuart MacBride]]'s crime novels, ''Cold Granite'', ''Dying Light'', ''Broken Skin'' and ''Flesh House'' (a series with main protagonist, [[Sergeant#Police_Usage|DS]] Logan MacRae) are all set in Aberdeen. [[Sergeant#Police_Usage|DS]] Logan MacRae is a [[Grampian Police]] officer and locations found in the books can be found in Aberdeen and the surrounding countryside.
*A large part of the plot of the [[WWII]] [[Spy thriller]] ''[[Eye of the Needle]]'' takes place in wartime Aberdeen, from which a German spy is trying to escape to a submarine waiting offshore.
*[[Stuart Home]]'s [[sex]] and [[literary]] obsessed contemporary novel ''69 Things to Do with a Dead Princess'' is set in Aberdeen

==See also==
* [http://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Aberdeen_%28burgh%29&oldid=115785 Wikimedia Britannica (1911) on Aberdeen]
* [[Future Developments in Aberdeen]]
* [[Aberdeen Bestiary]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==

* {{cite book | title= The Battle of Aberdeen 1644 | publisher= Tempus Publishing | first= Chris |last= Brown | isbn= | year= 2002}}
* {{cite book | title= Crown and Gown: Illustrated History of the University of Aberdeen, 1495-1995 | publisher= Aberdeen University Press | first= Jennifer |last= Carter| isbn= 1857522400 | year= 1994}}
* {{cite book | title= Aberdeen, 1800 to 2000: A New History | publisher= Tuckwell Press | first= W. Hamish | last= Fraser| isbn= 1862321752 | year= 2000}}
* {{cite book | title=A Thousand Years of Aberdeen | publisher=Aberdeen University Press | first= Alexander | last

= Keith, | isbn= 0900015292 | year= 1987}}

==External links==
{{commons|Category:Aberdeen|Aberdeen}}
* [http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/acc/default.asp Aberdeen City Council]
* {{wikitravel|Aberdeen}}
* {{oscoor gbx|NJ925065}}
* [http://business.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=897&id=669152003/ Aberdeen Facts]
* [http://www.british-publishing.com/Pages/AberdeenOG/history.html A brief history of Aberdeen]
* [http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/aberdeen/aberdeen/index.html Undiscovered Scotland Aberdeen History]

{{Scotland_subdivisions}}
{{Areas of Aberdeen}}
{{UK cities}}
{{Aberdeen}}

[[Category:Aberdeen]]
[[Category:Scottish names]]
[[Category:Royal burghs]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the North Sea]]
[[Category:Lieutenancy areas of Scotland]]

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Revision as of 22:05, 5 June 2008

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