
Ireland in the World
Ireland - Introduction 2006
top of pageBackground: Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998 is being implemented with some difficulties.
Ireland - Geography 2006
top of pageLocation: Western Europe occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean west of Great Britain
Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N 8 00 W
Map reference: Europe
Area
Total: 70,280 km²
Land: 68,890 km²
Water: 1,390 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries
Total: 360 km
Border countries: (1) UK 360 km
Coastline: 1448 km
Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Terrain: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m
Natural resources: natural gas peat copper lead zinc silver barite gypsum limestone dolomite
Land use
Land use
Arable land: 16.82%
Permanent crops: 0.03%
Other: 83.15% (2005)
Irrigated land
Major rivers
Major watersheds area km²
Total water withdrawal
Total renewable water resources
Natural hazards
Geography
Ireland - People 2006
top of pagePopulation
Nationality
Ethnic groups
Languages
Religions
Demographic profile
Age structure
Age structure
Dependency ratios
Median age
Population growth rate
Birth rate
Death rate
Net migration rate
Population distribution
Urbanization
Major urban areas
Environment
Air pollutants
Sex ratio
Mothers mean age at first birth
Maternal mortality ratio
Infant mortality rate
Life expectancy at birth
Total fertility rate
Contraceptive prevalence rate
Drinking water source
Current health expenditure
Physicians density
Hospital bed density
Sanitation facility access
Hiv/Aids
Major infectious diseases
Obesity adult prevalence rate
Alcohol consumption
Tobacco use
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
Education expenditures
Literacy
School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Youth unemployment
Ireland - Government 2006
top of pageCountry name
Government type
Capital
Administrative divisions
Dependent areas
Independence
National holiday
Constitution
Legal system
International law organization participation
Citizenship
Suffrage
Executive branch
Legislative branch
Judicial branch
Political parties and leaders
International organization participation
Diplomatic representation
Flag description
National symbols
National anthem
National heritage
Ireland - Economy 2006
top of pageEconomy overview
Real gdp purchasing power parity
Real gdp growth rate
Real gdp per capita
Gross national saving
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end use
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture products
Industries
Industrial production growth rate
Labor force
Labor force
Unemployment rate
Youth unemployment
Population below poverty line
Gini index
Household income or consumption by percentage share
Distribution of family income gini index
Budget
Taxes and other revenues
Public debt
Revenue
Fiscal year
Inflation rate consumer prices
Central bank discount rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate
Stock of narrow money
Stock of broad money
Stock of domestic credit
Market value of publicly traded shares
Current account balance
Exports
Imports
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Debt external
Stock of direct foreign investment at home
Stock of direct foreign investment abroad
Exchange rates
Ireland - Energy 2006
top of pageElectricity
Coal
Petroleum
Crude oil
Refined petroleum
Natural gas
Carbon dioxide emissions
Energy consumption per capita
Ireland - Communication 2006
top of pageTelephones
Telephone system
Broadcast media
Internet
Broadband fixed subscriptions
Ireland - Military 2006
top of pageMilitary expenditures
Military and security forces
Military service age and obligation
Space program
Terrorist groups
Ireland - Transportation 2006
top of pageNational air transport system
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Airports
Heliports
Pipelines
Railways
Roadways
Waterways
Merchant marine
Ports and terminals
Ireland - Transnational issues 2006
top of pageDisputes international
Refugees and internally displaced persons
Illicit drugs
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