Northern ireland

Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom located in the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland. It shares a border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland. In the 2011 census, its population was 1,810,863, constituting about 30% of the island's total population and about 3% of the UK's population. Established by the Northern Ireland Act 1920, it is a distinct legal jurisdiction, separate from those of England and Wales, and Scotland.

History

Northern Ireland was created in 1921, when Ireland was partitioned by the Government of Ireland Act 1920, creating a devolved government for the six northeastern counties. The majority of Northern Ireland's population were unionists, who wanted to remain within the United Kingdom. They were generally the Protestant descendants of colonists from Great Britain. Meanwhile, the majority of the population of the rest of Ireland, who were predominantly Catholics, wanted a united independent Ireland.

Politics

The politics of Northern Ireland takes place in a framework of a devolved parliamentary legislature, whereby the Northern Ireland Assembly holds responsibility for a range of devolved policy matters. The head of government is the First Minister of Northern Ireland, who works alongside the deputy First Minister and a cabinet of ministers. The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for the day-to-day running of Northern Ireland.

Economy

Northern Ireland's economy is the smallest of the four countries of the UK. Northern Ireland's exports consist mainly of machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals, manufactured goods and chemicals. The economy is heavily reliant on the public sector, which accounts for about 31% of jobs.

Culture

Northern Ireland shares both the culture of Ireland and the culture of the United Kingdom. The Ulster cycle is a large body of prose and verse centring around the traditional heroes of the Ulaid in what is now eastern Ulster. This is one of the four major cycles of Irish mythology. The best known plays of the cycle are The Death of Cu Chulainn and Fled Bricrenn.

See also

• History of Northern Ireland
• Politics of Northern Ireland
• Economy of Northern Ireland
• Culture of Northern Ireland