Dumfries and Galloway

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Unitary authority in southern Scotland, formed in 1996 from the regional council of the same name (1975–96).

Area
6,421 sq km/2,479 sq mi

Towns
Annan, Dumfries (administrative headquarters), Kirkcudbright, Stranraer, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart

Physical
area characterized by an indented coastline, including Luce Bay and Wigtown Bay, backed by a low-lying coastal strip of varying width; intensively forested in the Galloways. Much of the inland area is upland: east to west this includes Eskdalemuir (Hart Fell 808 m/2,651 ft), the Lowther Hills (Green Lowther 732 m/2,402 ft) and the Galloway Hills (the Merrick 843 m/2,766 ft)

Features
Wanlockhead (the highest village in Scotland); the oldest working post office in the world at Sanquhar; Galloway Forest Park incorporating Glen Trool; the Ruthwell Cross, Whithorn archaeological dig

Industries
timber, chemicals, food processing, tourism

Agriculture
beef and dairy cattle, sheep, forestry

Population
(2001) 147,800

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