Unitary authority in southwest Scotland, created in 1996 from two districts of Strathclyde region.
Area 1,269 sq km/490 sq mi
Towns Kilmarnock (administrative headquarters), Cumnock, Stewarton, Galston, Crosshouse
Physical predominantly low-lying and undulating in the north, mountainous toward the south; Loch Doon; rivers Ayr, Irvine; Blackcraig Hill (700 m/2,298 ft); Loudoun Hill
Features Burns' House Museum, Mauchline; Loudoun Castle Theme Park; Dunaskin Heritage Museum
Agriculture dairy farming, sheep, beef cattle
Industries textiles, light engineering, food and drink, printing
Population (2001) 120,200
© RM 2009. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.