Ireland is an island on the western fringe of Europe between latitude 51 1/2 and 55 1/2 degrees north, and longitude 5 1/2 to 10 1/2 degrees west. Its greatest length, from Malin Head in the north to Mizen Head in the south, is 486 km and its greatest width from east to west is approximately 275 km. Since 1921 the island has been divided politically into two parts. The independent twenty-six county area, comprising 70,282 sq. km, has a population of 3,523,401 (1991). Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom and contains six of the nine counties of the ancient province of Ulster, has a population of 1,569,971 (1991). In 1973 Ireland became a member of the European Union (EU).
ECONOMY AND CURRENCY
The state described today as the Republic of Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1922. The state was plagued by poverty and emigration until the mid-1990s. The 1990s saw the beginning of a temporary unprecedented economic success, in a phenomenon known as the "Celtic Tiger", which ended with the onset of a severe recession, the Irish financial crisis. However this has also increased the cost of living, has not benefited everyone equally, and has been criticized for eroding Irish culture by importing American capitalist ideals and pop culture. It also led to Ireland being the most indebted country in the European Union
In the Republic of Ireland, the official currency is the euro.
LANGUAGE
There are a number of languages used in Ireland. Irish is the only language to have originated from within the island, while others have been introduced through foreign settlements. Since the late nineteenth century, English has been the predominant first language. A large minority claims some ability to use Irish, but it is the first language for a small percentage of the population. Within the Republic of Ireland, under the Constitution of Ireland, both languages have official status, with Irish being the national and first official language. Northern Ireland has no official language, however English is the official language of the United Kingdom and Irish and Ulster-Scots are recognised regional languages.
SCHOOLS IN IRELAND
In Ireland, a National school is a type of primary school that is financed directly by the State, but administered jointly by the State, a patron body, and local representatives. There are other forms of primary school, often private denominational schools attached to secondary schools – unlike their second level counterparts, these primary level private schools receive no support from the state.
In National schools, most major policies such as the curriculum and teacher salaries and conditions are managed by the State through the Department of Education and Science. Minor policies of the school are managed by local people, often directed by a member of the clergy, as representative of the patron, through a local board of management. Most primary schools in Ireland fall into this category, which is a pre-independence concept.
CLIMATE IN IRELAND
The climate of Ireland can be summed up as being mild, moist and changeable with abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes. It is defined as a temperate oceanic climate, or Cfb on the Köppen climate classification system, a classification it shares with most of northwest Europe.[1] The country receives generally warm summers and mild winters. It is considerably warmer than other areas on its latitude, because it lies in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, and as a result is warmed by the North Atlantic Current all year.
The influence of the North Atlantic Current also ensures the coastline of Ireland remains ice-free throughout the winter—unlike for example the Sea of Okhotsk and the Labrador Sea which are at a similar latitude. The climate in Ireland does not experience extreme weather, with tornadoes and similar weather features being rare.
POLITIC IN IRELAND
The island of Ireland comprises two political jurisdictions:
- The sovereign state called Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, which occupies about five-sixths of the island. Its capital is Dublin.
- Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, which lies in the north-east of the island. Its capital is Belfast.
Thus, there are three administrations that govern the island of Ireland:
- Northern Ireland:
- Government of the United Kingdom (reserved and excepted matters)
- Northern Ireland Executive (all other matters)
- Republic of Ireland:
- Government of Ireland (all matters)
