With a population over 200,000, Aberdeen is a cosmopolitan port city. Built at the mouth of two major rivers, the Granite City owes its distinctive appearance to the locally quarried and widely exported building material. Traditional industries, such as fishing and farming, still prosper but Aberdeen’s modern economy is fuelled by the oil industry, earning the city its name as “Oil Capital of Europe.”
A member of the World Energy Cities Partnership, Aberdeen has strong business ties to Houston and is an active participant in the annual Offshore Technology Conference. Additionally, the United Kingdom is Houston’s top air cargo partner. In 2009, total trade between Houston and the United Kingdom was valued at more than $5.9 billion.
Fast Facts:
Population: 212,125
Country: United Kingdom
Continent: Europe
Latitude & Longitude: 57º9’ N, 2º9’ W
GMT Time Difference: +0
Time Difference from Houston: +6 hours
Distance from Houston: 4635 miles/7460 km
Climate: Scotland is usually windy, misty and chilly, which can be unpleasant if you are not prepared. The eastern coast is often drier and cooler than the western, but the weather everywhere is highly variable, changing by the mile and the minute, as well as by the altitude. The days are long in midsummer, especially in the north where it stays light almost to midnight. From November-January the days are very short. Winter temperatures seldom dip far below freezing, except in the mountains.
Language: English
Governmental Structure: Popularly elected mayor and 43 Councillors (council members)
Current Mayor: The Honorable Peter Stephen, Lord Provost of Aberdeen
Other Sister Cities: Stavanger, Norway
Additional Information:
Houston Grampian Association
City of Aberdeen Municipal Website
Tourism in Scotland