INTRODUCTION TO IRELAND

Geography:
Ireland,country covering about five-sixths of the island of Ireland. Consisting of the historical Irish provinces of Leinster, Munster, and Connacht and part of Ulster, the republic has a total area of 70,273 sq km (27,133 sq mi).Dublin is the capital and largest city.

Land and Resources
The central region of Ireland, a lowland with numerous bogs and lakes, is encircled by low mountain ranges that separate the inland from the coast. Carrantuohill, located in a mountain range in the southwest, is the highest point in Ireland (1041 m/3414 ft above sea level). Ireland's climate is moist and temperate due to the moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Winter temperatures are warmer and summer ones cooler than at other places of the same latitude. Since the island became developed, much of Ireland's indigenous wildlife has disappeared; remaining native animals include small rodents and birds. Ireland has no snakes, and the only reptile found is the lizard. Sedges, rushes, ferns, and grass are the principal flora.

Population:
The population of the Republic of Ireland (1997 estimate) is 3,606,952. Predominantly of Celtic origin, most of the people are Roman Catholics. Freedom of worship is guaranteed, and there is a small Protestant minority. Both Irish and English are the republic's official languages.

Economy:
Ireland's economy was traditionally agricultural, but after the mid-1950s its industrial base expanded. Mining, manufacturing, construction, and public utilities now account for approximately 36 percent of the gross domestic product, and agriculture only 10 percent. Animal husbandry, the most important agricultural enterprise, includes cattle, sheep, hogs, horses, and poultry. Principal crops are wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes. Manufacturing is diversified, and mining—although still minor—has an expanding role in the Irish economy, as new discoveries of mineral deposits have increased mine production. Coal, zinc, and lead are especially important.

The country's fishing industry is also expanding and lobsters, crawfish, prawns, oysters, and periwinkles form the bulk of the country's seafood exports. The Irish pound (0.63 pounds equal U.S.$1; 1996) is the basic unit of currency.