COUNTRY INFORMATION
Official name
Republic of Ireland
Capital
Dublin
Coordinates
53°00’ N, 8°00’ W
Location
Ireland is located in Western Europe and occupies 5/6 of the island of Ireland in the eastern part of the North Atlantic. The country is surrounded by the North Channel on the north, by the Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) on the northeast, by the Irish Sea on the east and by the Celtic Sea on the south.
Area
Total area: 70 280 sq km
Land area: 68 890 sq km
Water area: 1 390 sq km
Land boundaries
360 km
Coastline
1 448 km
Administrative division
Ireland is divided into 26 counties.
Political system
Ireland is a republic, a parliamentary democracy. President, who is the chief of state, is elected every seven years. Prime Minister (Taoistach) is the head of government and is nominated by the House of Representatives. Parliament (Oireachtas) is bicameral and consists of Senate (Seanad Éireann; 60 seats) and the House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann; 166 seats).
Population
4 156 119
Ethnic groups
Irish 87%, other 13%
Religions
Roman Catholic 87%, Church of Ireland 3%, other 10%