Location

Ireland is the western most and the second largest of the British Isles in the North Atlantic Ocean, and is separated from Great Britain by St. Georges Channel. How far is Ireland from your place? The area of Ireland is 84,431 square kilometers. Ireland has mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains with sea cliffs on west coast; it is only about 2000 feet or 752 meters above sea level.

Climate

The seasons in Ireland are mild winters and spring, and cool summers and fall. The climate is temperate maritime, consistently humid; overcast about half the time; there is a great deal of rainfall.

People

The Irish people speak mostly English; Gaelic is spoken mainly in areas located along the western seacoast. 92% of Irish people are Roman Catholic, and Church of Ireland 2.5%, other 5.9%. The people learn the language, and the rules and customs from their parents, and their religion from their church. Their holidays are Independence Day on December 6, and Saint Patrick's Day, on March 17.

Life

The population in Ireland is 3,840,838 people. Their government is a democratic republic; their capital is Dublin. Administrative divisions include 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow.

Government

Chief of state is President Mary McAleese (since November 11, 1997) and head of government is Prime Minister Bertie Ahern (since June 26, 1997). Cabinet is appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives. The president is elected by popular vote for a seven-year term, and the prime minister is nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president.

By Evan Campbell