Copy of Geography of Ireland

Geography of Ireland

• Ireland's central lowlands of flat rolling plains are dissected by bogs, lakes and rivers, and surrounded by hills and low mountains.

Government

• The government of Ireland consists of an elected parliament, which makes the laws, and a president, who is head of state. The head of the government is the Taoiseach (pronounced tee-shuck), which means "chief." The Taoiseach is the leader of the political party with the most parliament members.
• For most of its history, Ireland's economy has been based on farming and agriculture. But since the late 1950s, government efforts to attract business have turned the country from one of Europe's poorest nations to its second wealthiest. The amazing turnaround earned Ireland the nickname "Celtic Tiger."

Ireland's Physical Characteristics

Plains

One of the many lakes

• The country's highest point, Carrauntoohil, in the far southwest, stands at 1041 m (3414 ft.) high.

Bog

River Liffey

• The midlands and west coast of Ireland are dotted with damp peat bogs, the soggy remains of dried-up ancient lakes left by the glaciers. Ireland's highlands rise mainly in the southwest, often ending at sheer cliffs that plunge thousands of feet into the

Atlantic Ocean.

• The western coastline includes numerous sea cliffs. The most famous, and some say the most beautiful in all of Europe, are the Cliff of Moher. They reach a maximum height of just over 213 m (700 ft.)

• Ireland is known for its wide expanses of lush, green fields. In fact, its nickname is the Emerald Isle. But there are also large areas of rugged, rocky landscape.
• The midlands and west coast of Ireland are dotted with damp peat bogs, the soggy remains of dried-up ancient lakes left by the glaciers. Ireland's highlands rise mainly in the southwest, often ending at sheer cliffs that plunge thousands of feet into the Atlantic Ocean.

Where is Ireland?

• Ireland is an island in northwest Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean. Main geographical features include low central plains surrounded by a ring of coastal mountains.

Climate

Religions

People & Culture

• Ireland is a nation of storytellers. The tradition dates back to Celtic bards, who would record and recite the country's history. Many famed writers come from Ireland, including four winners of the Nobel Prize for literature. The Irish also excel in music and sports.

Most are Roman Catholics 84.2%

• Ireland's climate is influenced mostly by the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, it does not have the extreme temperatures that other countries at similar latitude would have. The average temperature is a mild 50 F.
• The lowest temperature recorded in Ireland was -19.1 C
• The highest temperature recorded in Ireland was 33.3 C

• The Leprechaun is part of Irish mythology and folklore that fall under the topic of the Faerie folk, also known as wee folk or the little people. They are members of the Tuatha Dé Danann (supernatural beings) who invaded Ireland and were banished to live under ground.
• Standing 2-3 feet tall leprechaun’s are a devious character who are quick-witted, highly intelligent, and will do anything to evade capture from humans.
• As a cousin of the Clurichaun, the Leprechaun is known to inhabit Ireland before the arrival of the Celts and can survive hundreds of years. Some consider leprechaun’s to be the true natives of Ireland who are descended from Irish royalty.

• Ireland from space

Summer

Spring

Winter

Nature

Languages

• The Irish have a great affection for nature and rural life. The country's first coins even featured pictures of animals. Low levels of development and pollution in Ireland have left most of the nation's open spaces relatively undisturbed.
• There are no wild snakes in Ireland. The sea has stopped many animals common on mainland Europe from reaching the island. There are also only two wild mouse species, one type of lizard, and just three kinds of amphibians.
• Irish wildlife is protected by government conservation programs. To preserve natural habitat, the government has established six national parks and hundreds of national heritage areas throughout the country.

Government

It became a republic in 1949 when Commonwealth ties with Great Britain were severed.