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Ireland (Éire
in Irish) is the third-largest island in Europe. It lies on the west side of the
Irish Sea, close to the island of Great Britain. It is composed of the Republic
of Ireland which covers five sixths of the island (south, east, west and
north-west) and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, which covers the
northeastern sixth of the island. The population of the island is approximately
5.7 million people, most of whom live on the east coast
A
ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains. The highest
peak is Carrauntuohill (Irish: Corrán Tuathail), which is 1041 m
(3414 feet). The island is bisected by the River Shannon, at 259 km
(161 mi) the longest river in Ireland or Britain. The island's lush
vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft
rainfall, earns it the sobriquet "Emerald Isle".
Ireland is divided into four provinces: Connacht (or Connaught),
Leinster, Munster and Ulster. These were further divided into 32
counties for administrative purposes. Six counties remain in the
United Kingdom as Northern Ireland following Ireland's partition in
1922 (the remaining 26 forming present-day Republic of Ireland);
these county boundaries no longer exist in Northern Ireland for
administrative purposes, apart from Fermanagh. In the Republic, the
county boundaries are still adhered to for local government, albeit
with Tipperary and Dublin subdivided (some cities also have their
own administrative regions). For election constituencies, some
counties are merged or divided, but constitutionally the boundaries
have to be observed. Across Ireland, the 32 counties are still used
in sports and in some other cultural areas and retain a strong sense
of local identity.
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Ireland's least arable land lies in the southern and western
counties. These areas are mostly mountainous and rocky, with
beautiful green and grey vistas.
The land is mountainous and has few natural resources. It comprises 26 districts. English is the official language. The majority of the population is Protestant, and nearly 40% is Catholic. Farming (livestock, dairy products, cereals, potatoes) is the largest single occupation. Heavy industry is concentrated in and around Belfast, one of the chief ports of the British Isles.
Machinery and
equipment manufacturing, food processing, and textile and
electronics manufacturing are the leading industries;
papermaking, furniture manufacturing, and shipbuilding are
also important. Northern Ireland's fine linens are famous.
The New Northern Ireland Assembly has limited devolved powers from the British Parliament, and often has been suspended since its establishment in 1999. The government is based on a power-sharing arrangement that requires that its members include a minimum number of both Protestants and Catholics, and that those members have the support of the representatives elected by their respective communities. Northern Ireland has 18 representatives in the British Parliament
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Ireland
guide
Ireland
guide
Ireland
When
to go
Climate
Getting there
Getting around
Food & drink
Music, festivals
Major festivals
and events
Where to go
People & land
Best of Ireland
Irish Glossary
Explore Ireland
Cavan and
Monaghan
County Cavan
County
Cavan Brief
history
Ballyajamesduff
Cavan
Town
Lough Oughter
West Cavan
County Monaghan
Carrickmacross
Castleblaney
Clones
Glaslough
Iniskeen |
Monaghan
Town
Transportation,
restaurants, tourist
office
Brief History
Monaghan
Town
Transportation,
restaurants, tourist
office
Brief History
County Clare
Shannon Int'l
Airport
East Clare Way
The Burren
Culture
Transportation
Sports
Kilkenny
Laois
Ennis Town
Around Ennis
Lahinch
Lough Derg
Killaloe
Scarriff
Southwest Clare: Scattery
Island
Kilkee
County Cork
Buses, trains, ferries
Exploring County Cork
Baltimore
and the Irlands
Bantry
Beara
Peninsula
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