West Lothian
Unitary authority in central Scotland, south of the Firth of Forth,
which was previously a district within Lothian region (1975-96)
and a county until 1974
Area:
428 sq km/165 sq mi Towns: Bathgate, Linlithgow, Livingston (administrative
headquarters) Physical: low-lying, undulating area through which
the river Almond flows ; Cairnpapple Hill Features: Linlithgow
Palace; prehistoric ritual site at Cairnpapple Hill, near Torpichen
Industries: electronics, engineering, coal-mining, food processing
Agriculture: productive area of arable farming Population: (1995)
149,500 History: royal connections with Linlithgow.
Economy
The area has a buoyant economy with the expansion of the development
of the electronics industry.
Environment
There are 17 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, one National Nature
Reserve, one regional park, and three country parks.
Administrative History
The unitary authority of West Lothian is more extensive than the county
of the same name, as it includes parts of the county of Midlothian.
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