Diving

DIVING IRELAND INTRODUCTION

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%