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Home to a population of 212,125, Aberdeen is a thriving, cosmopolitan port in the North-east of Scotland.
Built at the mouth of two major Scottish rivers, the Dee and the Don, and covering an area of 184.47 square kilometres (71.22 square miles), the Granite City owes its distinctive appearance to the famous, locally quarried and widely exported, building material. Traditional industries such as fishing and farming still flourish in and around the city but Aberdeen's buoyant modern economy - reflected in unemployment rates consistently under 2% - is fuelled by the oil industry, earning the city a new epithet as 'Oil Capital of Europe'.
With bustling shopping malls, a wide variety of entertainment and leisure amenities, and a vibrant arts scene, Aberdeen is a major retail, leisure and cultural centre. First class road, rail, sea and air communications - London is only an hour's flight away - ensures the city, though Northerly, is not isolated.
Business Highlights
- Energy Capital of Europe. - Second highest rate of business formation in the UK. - Most competitive business location in the UK after London. - Diverse economy - oil and gas, information and communication technology, food and fish processing, tourism, education and research and environmental technology. - Worldwide strategic alliances - founder member of World Energy Cities partnership. - 800 technology companies in Aberdeen area. - Greatest concentration of bio-scientists per head than any city in Europe.
ABERDEEN INVESTMENT
Aberdeen is an exciting place to do business. There is a wealth of talent, business expertise and resources in the city. Expertise in oil and gas, information and communication technologies, food and fish processing, tourism, education and research and environmental technology are te reasons why Aberdeen has become so successful.
AN INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK
Companies from all over the world continue to locate in Aberdeen to target European and world markets.
Contracts have been won throughout the world in places as far apart as Brasil, Tunisia, Iran, angola, Australia, Canada and the USA. To open the way to International markets, Aberdeen as a founder member of the World Energy Cities partnership, set up strategic alliances and joint ventures with cities such as Houston, Stavanger, Villahermosa in Mexico and Vungtau in Vietnam. International links have also been forged with Rio de Janeiro, the Faroe Islands and Atlantic Canada.
OFFICE, INDUSTRIAL, RETAIL AND LEISURE
Aberdeen is the regional capital for the North East of Scotland. It is a strong financial, legal and administrative centre with a business infrastructure attractive to any prospective inward investor.
The city has witnessed considerable industrial and commercial development over the last 25 years and Aberdeen City Council continues to release land for further develoment to facilitate business expansion.
COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
Aberdeen is truly international in its outlook. With strategic partnerships and alliances throughout the world, the Aberdeen business community is ideally placed to access UK and world markets.
It is well served by an international airport;six miles drive from the city centre. There are 17 flights a day to London and it is possible to be in the heart of the City in an hour and 40 minutes.
There are 26 destinations throughout the UK and five international destinations on a daily basis. The airport is also home to the busiest civilian heliport in the world. Some 2.5 million passengers travel through Aberdeen International Airport every year, making it the busiest in Scotland.
By Air
- Aberdeen International Airport, six miles from the city centre. - Six International destinations. - 27 UK destinations. - 17 flights a day to London. - Busiest civilian heliport in the world. - 2.5 million passengers a year.
By Sea
- World-class harbour. - 14 million tonnes of shipping - 9000 vessels annually. - 4 million tonnes of cargo, worth some £1.5 billion per year. - Principal port serving the oil industry. - Specialist and general cargo handling. Dry dock, freshwater amd fuel bunkering facilities. - Ferry and cargo services to Northern Europe. - A major fishing port with a modern fish market.
By Road
- Dual carriage connections as far south as you want to go. - Numerous road haulage firms. - Ease of commuting. - Frequent and comprehensive bus and coach services. - 23 million tonnes road freight per year.
By Rail
- 16 trains a day to Edinburgh and 16 to Glasgow, with onward connections South. - 3 daily direct trains and overnight sleeper service to London. - From London 19 trains a day. - 10 trains to Inverness a day. - Direct Services to Manchester, Birmingham and Plymouth. - Freight Services.
EMPLOYMENT
Aberdeen provides a tremendous range of analytical facilities. The Cityhas two outstanding Universities, an excellent teaching Hospital, Laboratories and research institutes that are recognised as world centres of excellence.
A strong academic tradition continues to deliver a highly literate and skilled workforce. There has always been a strong work ethic and in terms of prouctivity, Aberdeen boasts the highest GDP per employee in Scotland.
SOPPORT RESOURCES
In terms of research, Aberdeen sustains a world reputation for fundamental and applied scientific research in land management, agriculture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, food and nutrition policy and practice, and environmental protection.
Aberdeen's pre-eminent role in food science and food technology recently led to the establishment of the Food Standards Agency in the City.
HOUSING
Aberdeen has one of the highest standards of living in the UK. The area has a thriving property market offering a wide range of traditional and modern properties. From one and two bedroom flats in the heart of the city to executive accommodation and traditional granite properties.
Unlike many other UK cities, Aberdeen has been significant growth in city centre residential developments. The number of beautiful parks and gardens in Aberdeen has inspired many to set up home in the city.
Aberdeen has a wide choice of rented accommdation and Aberdeen City Council is the largest landlord with aproximately 29,000 houses.
LIFESTYLE
The beauty of Aberdeen is well known. It is set among some of the most magnificant scenery in the world; scenery that has attracted the Royal Family to Balmoral since the reign of Queen Victoria.
This is a land of rich soil, green grass, ancient rocks, unspoilt countryside and miles and miles of sandy beaches. It is simply a delightful landscape.
And the beauty is not just confined to the coast and countryside. The city itself has won Britain in Bloom so often that it has on occasion been asked not to enter - to give other cities and towns a chance.
