Known as the ‘Granite City’, it stands on a magnificent site between the rivers Dee and Don facing out over the sea.
Its most striking aspects are its beauty, the vivid contrast of beach, cliff and harbour, rivers and woodland, ancient buildings, silver granite and flowers in their thousands.
For some Aberdeen is the Rose City, the Britain in Bloom Toon. For others the city, which has a population of 210,000, is the backbone of the Scottish economy with its energy company base. It is also a city providing numerous recreational facilities with its golf courses and bowling greens. At night the city centre comes alive with numerous entertainment highspots.
It is also a university town and research centre, the main shopping place for the region and a major seaport. It also has excellent social care facilities.
The city boomed in the late 1960s after the first oil strike in the North Sea and unemployment levels dropped to one of the lowest levels in the UK. But is not just a city filled with oil and gas companies – the city is full of old fashioned charm and character, history and tradition, making it an attractive place to live and a fascinating place to visit.
Superb natural assets and an enviable range of leisure, recreational and cultural experiences make the quality of life in Aberdeen among the best in the country.
Studies have consistently shown that Aberdeen is rated as one of the most desirable cities in the UK in which to live and work.
The oil and gas industry is still strong in Aberdeen and in fact the city has bred a new workforce exporting its talents throughout the world. The North Sea oil industry will continue for the coming decades but work has already begun to diversify, with emphasis on renewables, to ensure Aberdeen is the Energy Capital of Europe.
Major developments are also taking place with two new huge shopping complexes under construction; the North-east’s premier theatre located in Aberdeen undergoing a multi-million pound expansion, refurbishment programme while the new upgraded conference centre received a royal opening this year.
Its transport infrastructure is being massively improved with a new bypass now approved with the target date for completion of 2010.
It is a city with a clear vision of the future and the City Council is closely working with its partners setting targets and ensuring they are met for the future prosperity of residents.
The motto of Aberdeen is Bon Accord with the words ‘Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part, Happy to Meet Again’. It is a sentiment we put into practice time and time again.
View the Aberdeen District Map and the Aberdeen Location Map
Pictures from top:
• The City of Aberdeen between the rivers Dee and Don
• Dancers at the local Highland Games
• Fireworks celebrations over the city centre
• The impressive Aberdeen City Town House
