Irish Geography
A look at the geography, climate, demographics, and ecosystems of Ireland.
Geographical Statistics of Ireland
Ireland is the second largest of the North Atlantic British Isles off the coast of Western Europe. The island is divided between two nations. The majority, about 5/6th of its land, consists of the nation of Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. The remainder, Northern Ireland, is a member of the United Kingdom. Overall, the island’s land area is about 32,595 square miles, or 84,420 square kilometers. Its major cities are the capitals of each region: Ireland’s Dublin (approx. population 1.201 million) and Belfast (340,220). The Republic of Ireland’s total population is estimated at 5,011,102 people. Northern Ireland’s population is about 1.871 million.
Landscapes and Climate of Ireland
Ireland’s landscapes generally consist of mountainous coastlines leading into central plains. Its climate is temperate and wet, with mild winters and summers. The western half of the island is more rugged and remote than the more populous east. Ireland possesses several major rivers, most notably the River Shannon. Much of its plains are peat bogs, which once supplied fuel to heat many houses.
The island’s forests are home to species like pine, alder, oak, holly, ash, rowan, birch, and yew. Among its native wildlife are wild boars, foxes, red deer, badgers, salmon, seabirds, and, famously, no snakes.
References
Hegarty, Neil. The Story of Ireland: A History of the Irish People. Macmillan. 2012.
Hollis, Daniel Webster. The History of Ireland. Greenwood Publishing Group. 2011.
“Ireland's Wildlife.” Ireland.com, Tourism Ireland, www.ireland.com/en-us/about-ireland/discover-ireland/where-to-get-up-close-to-irelands-wildlife/.
Jordan, Donald E. Land and Popular Politics in Ireland. Cambridge University Press. 1994.
“Native Species.” Tree Council of Ireland, Tree Council of Ireland, treecouncil.ie/tree-advice/native-species/.
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, NINIS, www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/.
Ranelagh, John O'Beirne. A Short History of Ireland. Cambridge University Press. 2012.
“The World Factbook: Ireland.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 24 Oct. 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ei.html.
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