Scotland occupies the northern third of Great Britain and covers about 78,387 km² (30,414 sq mi). It shares a land border with England to the south, faces the North Sea to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the Irish Sea to the southwest. Edinburgh is the capital and Glasgow is the largest city. Scotland is one of four nations within the United Kingdom and has its own legal and education systems.
The terrain includes the Highlands, the Central Lowlands and a large number of islands such as Lewis and Harris, Skye, Orkney and Shetland. The Highland Boundary Fault runs from the Isle of Arran and Helensburgh to Stonehaven and separates contrasting geology. Ben Nevis, at 1,345 m, is the highest point in the UK, and the River Tay measures about 193 km, the longest river in Scotland. The Caledonian Canal follows the Great Glen and links lochs including Loch Ness.
