Ireland

Ireland (MODIS)

Map of Ireland in Europe

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Uragh Stone Circle

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Ireland (Irish: Éire), also known as the Republic of Ireland (Poblacht na hÉireann), is a country in north-western Europe occupying 26 of 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, which is located on the eastern side of the island. Around 40% of the country's population of 4.9 million people resides in the Greater Dublin Area. The sovereign state shares its only land border with Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom. It is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Celtic Sea to the south, St George's Channel to the south-east, and the Irish Sea to the east. It is a unitary, parliamentary republic. The legislature, the Oireachtas, consists of a lower house, Dáil Éireann, an upper house, Seanad Éireann, and an elected President (Uachtarán) who serves as the largely ceremonial head of state, but with some important duties and powers. The head of government, the Taoiseach, is elected by the Dáil and appointed by the President; the Taoiseach is assisted by a Deputy Prime Minister, the Tánaiste.

History

The modern Irish state traces its origins to the failed 1916 Easter Rising against British rule, followed by the country's struggle for independence during the Irish War of Independence, which ended in the partition of the island in 1921. The Anglo-Irish Treaty established the Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Empire in the same year. In 1949, the state was declared a republic, officially severing its last link with the British monarchy. Since then, Ireland has become a member of the United Nations, joined the European Union in 1973, and was a founding member of the Eurozone in 1999.

Geography

Ireland is located on the island of the same name, the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest on Earth. Its geography is marked by low central plains surrounded by a ring of coastal mountains. The highest peak is Carrauntoohil (1,038 m or 3,406 ft), located in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range in the southwest. The western coastline is rugged, with many islands, peninsulas, headlands, and bays. The climate is typically insular and is temperate, avoiding the extremes in temperature of many other areas in the world at similar latitudes, due to the moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean.

Economy

Ireland is a high-income economy, with its citizens enjoying a high standard of living. The country ranks among the top in international rankings of quality of life, peace, safety, and economic freedom. Its economy is largely based on services, with significant contributions from information technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance sectors. Major multinational corporations, attracted by the country's low corporate tax rates, have established significant operations in Ireland. Agriculture, once the most dominant sector, now employs a small percentage of the workforce, but is significant for exports.

Culture

Irish culture has had a significant influence on other cultures, especially in the fields of literature and, to a lesser extent, science and education. A strong indigenous culture exists, as expressed through Gaelic games, Irish music, and the Irish language, which is a compulsory subject in government-funded schools but spoken as a first language by only a small minority of the population. Ireland is famous for its contributions to world literature, with four Nobel Prize in Literature laureates. The country is also known for its landscapes, which have been a setting for numerous films and TV series.

Demographics

The population of Ireland is approximately 4.9 million people, with a significant diaspora in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The country is predominantly Roman Catholic, with the church having a significant influence on Irish culture and society. However, Ireland has become increasingly secular in recent years, with significant changes in attitudes and policies towards issues such as divorce, contraception, and same-sex marriage.

Government and Politics

Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. The President of Ireland serves as the head of state in a largely ceremonial role, with real political power vested in the Taoiseach, who is the head of government. The Irish political landscape is dominated by two centrist parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, although there has been a rise in support for other parties and independents in recent years.