Aberdeen << `ab` uhr DEEN >> (pop. 224,021) is one of the largest cities in Scotland. Aberdeen lies on the east coast of northern Scotland, along the North Sea and between the River Dee and River Don. Aberdeen is called the Granite City, due to its many gleaming, gray granite buildings. It has long been the main port and distribution center for products of northern Scotland. In Scottish Gaelic, Aberdeen is called Obar Dheathain.
Aberdeen dates from the 1100’s. The Aberdeen Harbour Board, established in 1136, is the oldest recorded business in the United Kingdom. Much of the modern city dates from the late 1700’s and the 1800’s, when Aberdeen became a center for the agricultural, fishing, granite, and textile industries. Granite quarrying ended in 1971, but petroleum fields in the North Sea brought new growth and prosperity to Aberdeen.
The University of Aberdeen was created in 1860 upon the merger of King’s College (1495) and Marischal College (1593). Aberdeen Football Club was founded in 1903. The Aberdeen Maritime Museum showcases the city’s long connection with seafaring, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum details the history of one of the United Kingdom’s most famous infantry regiments. The city has several parks graced with gardens and extensive floral displays.
See also Aberdeen, University of; Grampian Region.
