Unitary authority in northeast Scotland, created in 1996 from three districts within the former Grampian region; its administrative headquarters, Aberdeen, lies outside the authority. Area 6,308 sq km/2,436 sq mi Towns Banff, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Inverurie Physical area of contrast with mountainous western interior, intensively farmed core, and coastal plain; Cairngorm Mountains; rivers Deveron, Ythan, Don, and Dee Features Balmoral Castle; Braemar Games Industries oil and gas, papermaking, whisky distilling, seafood, tourism Agriculture fishing, beef cattle, cereal crops Population (2001) 226,900 Economy This prosperous part of Scotland has both traditional and modern economic enterprise. Agriculturally rich, the area is well known for cereal production, livestock, such as pedigree Angus and Beef Shorthorn cattle; there are many agricultural shows in the area. Aberdeenshire is Scotland's foremost fishing area, which is important at Peterhead, Fraserburgh, and…