# Dunfermline

> city and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, UK

**Wikidata**: [Q211950](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q211950)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunfermline)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dunfermline

## Summary
Dunfermline is a city and former Royal Burgh located in Fife, Scotland, within the United Kingdom. It serves as a significant human settlement with an estimated population of 53,100 as of 2016. The city covers an area of approximately 18.31 square kilometers and is historically recognized as the capital of Dunfermline.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: City; formerly a large burgh (1930–1975).
- **Location**: Situated in Fife, Scotland, UK (Coordinates: 56.071388888889, -3.4616666666667).
- **Area**: 18,311,215 square metres.
- **Population**: 53,100 (2016 estimation, preferred); 50,380 (2012 census).
- **Timezone**: UTC±00:00.
- **Local Dialing Code**: 01383.
- **UN/LOCODE**: GBDFR.
- **Historic County**: Fife.
- **Twinned Administrative Bodies**: Trondheim, Wilhelmshaven (since 1979), and Vichy.
- **Website**: http://www.dunfermline.info/

## FAQs
**What is the geographical location and extent of Dunfermline?**
Dunfermline is located in Fife, Scotland, with specific coordinates at latitude 56.071388888889 and longitude -3.4616666666667. The city covers a total area of 18,311,215 square metres and falls within the OS grid reference NT105875.

**How has Dunfermline's administrative status changed over time?**
Historically, Dunfermline was a large burgh from 1930 until May 15, 1975. It was located in the shire of Scotland (Fife) from May 16, 1930, to May 15, 1975, followed by the Dunfermline district local government area from May 16, 1975, to March 31, 1996. Since April 1, 1996, it has been located within the Fife council area.

**What demographic data is available for Dunfermline?**
The population was recorded as 50,380 in 2012. A later estimation from 2016 places the population at 53,100.

**What are the twin towns of Dunfermline?**
Dunfermline is twinned with Trondheim, Vichy, and Wilhelmshaven (a relationship that began in 1979).

**How is Dunfermline recognized in external identifiers and encyclopedias?**
The city is listed in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition) and The Nuttall Encyclopædia. It holds a Library of Congress Authority ID (n80122927) and is described as a "town" in the Gazetteer for Scotland.

## Why It Matters
Dunfermline holds significance as a former Royal Burgh and a designated city in Scotland, reflecting its long-standing historical importance within the region of Fife. Its evolution from a burgh of barony to a large burgh and eventually a city illustrates the administrative development of Scottish settlements. The city's extensive documentation across major encyclopedias and international identifiers (such as VIAF, GND, and GeoNames) underscores its relevance as a distinct cultural and geographical entity. Furthermore, its twinning relationships with European cities like Trondheim and Vichy highlight its ongoing international connectivity.

## Notable For
- Being a former Royal Burgh and current city in Fife.
- Serving as the capital of Dunfermline.
- Holding "Large Burgh" status for 45 years (1930–1975).
- Maintaining international town twinning relationships since 1979.
- Being the subject of a specific entry in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.
- Possessing a unique UN/LOCODE (GBDFR) for trade and transport identification.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Dunfermline is geographically situated in Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom. Its precise coordinates are latitude 56.071388888889 and longitude -3.4616666666667, placing it within the OS grid reference NT105875. The city occupies a land area of 18,311,215 square metres.

Administratively, the city has undergone several jurisdictional changes. It is currently located in the Fife council area, a status effective since April 1, 1996. Previously, it was part of the "Dunfermline (district)" local government area from May 16, 1975, to March 31, 1996. Before that restructuring, it was located in the "shire of Scotland" (Fife) from May 16, 1930, to May 15, 1975. Earlier records indicate its location in the civil parish of Dunfermline until May 15, 1930. The city holds the status of "capital of" Dunfermline.

### Demographics
Population data indicates two key figures for Dunfermline. A 2012 report recorded a population of 50,380. A preferred estimate from 2016 lists the population as 53,100.

### Historical Status
The settlement is classified as a city and a "large human settlement." Historically, it held the status of a "large burgh" starting in 1930, a designation that ended on May 15, 1975. It is also identified as a former Royal Burgh.

### International Relations
Dunfermline maintains town twinning agreements with three cities:
- **Trondheim**
- **Vichy**
- **Wilhelmshaven** (twinned since 1979)

### Identifiers and Classifications
Dunfermline is cataloged under numerous international and national identification systems:
- **UN/LOCODE**: GBDFR.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n80122927.
- **GeoNames ID**: 2650732.
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 26405498.
- **GND ID**: 4650514-3.
- **VIAF ID**: 153607510.
- **Who's On First ID**: 101750637.
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 8802de90-150b-48f6-8f83-64a9601ad014.

The city is assigned the GSS code S20000470 (human settlement) and S19000585 (locality). It has a local dialing code of 01383 and operates in the UTC±00:00 timezone.

### Media and Documentation
Dunfermline is visually documented through several media links, including a page banner and a montage image hosted on Wikimedia Commons. It has a wide linguistic presence, with Wikipedia titles available in over 50 languages, including English, Scottish Gaelic (Dùn Phàrlain), Russian (Данфермлайн), and others. The city is described by sources such as The Nuttall Encyclopædia and the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition.

### Categories and People
The city has dedicated categories for people associated with it: "Category:Births in Dunfermline," "Category:Deaths in Dunfermline," and "Category:People from Dunfermline." It is also the subject of "Category:Dunfermline" and "Category:Maps of Dunfermline."

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. MusicBrainz
6. [Source](http://gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/population-estimates/special-area/mid-2012-settlement/2012-pop-est-sett-local-main-tab3a.pdf)
7. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
8. GeoNames
9. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gb.htm)
10. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
11. [Source](https://www.bbc.com/things/)