Council area in Scotland
| Coordinates: | 55.88, -3.96 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | NS 77 67 |
North Lanarkshire sits in Scotland's central belt to the east and north of Glasgow, combining suburban commuter towns with patches of countryside. Principal towns include Motherwell, Airdrie, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and Bellshill, while the northern fringes open out towards the Campsie Fells and waterways such as the loch at Strathclyde Country Park.
Historically it was a coal, iron and steel heartland and the closure of Ravenscraig in the 1990s marked a major economic shift. Today the economy is a mix of light manufacturing, logistics and retail - with hubs like Eurocentral - and many residents commute into Glasgow, supported by good road and rail links.
The area has a lively local culture with community arts, music and sports clubs, plus outdoor recreation at places such as Strathclyde Country Park. Despite pockets of social and economic challenge, ongoing regeneration projects, new housing and business developments reflect a strong local identity rooted in its industrial past and green spaces for walking and cycling.
G65, G67, G68, G69, ML1, ML2, ML4, ML5, ML6, ML7