Aberdeen - the granite city

General Information

Aberdeen is a city in North East of Scotland, situated on the North Sea at the mouths of the Dee and Don rivers. Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland, after Glasgow and Edinburgh; and as the ‘Oil & Gas Capital of Europe” and the country's largest fishing port, it is the principal industrial center of Scotland.

Some history

Aberdeen is a tourist resort known for its sandy beaches. Aberdeen received a Royal Charter in the 12th century and was a thriving port by the 13th before Edward III burned much of it to the ground in 1336. What remains of the original pink granite houses and cobbled streets now stands alongside the rebuilt areas of "new" Aberdeen. Modern Aberdeen began in 1805 with the building of Union Street when many neo-classical buildings were built using the local grey granite from which the city gets its nickname - the granite city.

Points of interest

Church of Saint Nicholas (founded in the 12th century), the largest parish church in Scotland;

the Cathedral of Saint Machar (begun 15th century);

and the University of Aberdeen, formed in 1860 from the merger of the Roman Catholic King's College (1495) and the Protestant Marischal College (1593).

The Robert Gordon University is widely recognised as one of the best international schools of health(diet/nutrition) studies, as well as science & engineering.

Aberdeen Stats

Population : circa 230,000 (Jan 2002);

Christian population:circa 4000 (1.5% Jan 2004);

Muslim population:circa 5000 (Jan 2004)

Main Industry: Oil and Gas exploration and production.

In 2001 and 2004 It was reported both locally and nationally that 'Aberdeen is the most ungodliest city in Scotland'

 More than 50% of City centre churches have been converted into pubs and clubs.

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