Dundee - originally called Alectum, is the fourth-largest city in Scotland, with a population of 143,090. However, if outer districts such as Monifieth and Invergowrie, joined physically but not politically, are counted, the number is around 170,000. If taken by its local sphere of influence (around 750,000) then it ranks third after Glasgow (2,500,000), Edinburgh (1,000,000) and Aberdeen (400,000) slips into fourth place.

The Viscount of Dundee, Claverhouse, was slain in the battle of Killicrankie.

Dundee was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1950, when it was split into Dundee East and Dundee West. From 1868 until 1950 it was a two-member constituency.