One of 32 Local Authorities. Aberdeen was founded as a Royal burgh in 1179 at the mouths of two Scottish rivers the Dee and the Don. It is Scotland's third largest city with a population of 212,125 (2001). Aberdeen has prospered from the oil and gas industries of the North Sea (it's often called the oil capital of Europe) and employment is consistently low in the area. It is also called the 'Granite City' as many of its buildings are constructed of local granite which is also one of its chief exports. It is an important centre for the fishing and sea cargo industry as well with a modern harbour and ferry port. The Council was created in the 1996 local authority reorganisation as a unitary authority. In February 2002, Aberdeen City Council approved the creation of 'It's Our City', a multi-agency campaign to promote civic pride in Aberdeen which includes promotion of tourist and cultural activities. See Culture and Leisure Services, Aberdeen City Council.