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Geography
Area: 70,282 sq. km. (27,136 sq. mi.); slightly larger than West Virginia.
Terrain: Arable 10%, meadows and pastures 77%, rough grazing in use 11%, inland water 2%.
Climate: Temperate maritime.
People
Nationality: Noun--Irishman, Irishwoman. Adjective--Irish.
Population (April 2007): 4,339,000.
Cities: Capital--Dublin (pop. 506,211). Other cities--Cork (119,418), Galway (72,414), Limerick (52,539), Waterford (45,748).
Population breakdown: 0-14 years (21%), 15-24 years (15%), 25-34 years (17%), 35-44 years (14%), 45-54 years (12%), 55-64 years (10%), 65 years and over (11%).
Population growth rate (2008 est.): 1.133%.
Ethnic groups: Irish, with English minority.
Religions: Roman Catholic 86.8%; Church of Ireland 3%; Presbyterian 0.5%; Methodist 0.25%; Muslim 1%; Jewish 0.1%; other 8.35%.
Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic).
Education: Compulsory up to age 16. Enrollment rates--first (primary) level 471,519; second (high school and vocational) level 333,718; third (university and college) level 138,362. Literacy--99%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--5.14/1,000. Life expectancy at birth--male 75.44 yrs., female 80.88 yrs.
Work force: Services--67%, industry--27%, agriculture--6%.
Government
Type: Parliamentary republic.
Independence: December 6, 1921.
Constitution: December 29, 1937.
Branches: Executive--president, chief of state; Prime Minister (Taoiseach--pronounced "TEE-shuck"), head of government. Legislative--bicameral national Parliament (Oireachtas--pronounced "o-ROCK-tas"): House of Representatives (Dail--pronounced "DOIL") and Senate (Seanad--pronounced "SHAN-ad"). Judicial--Supreme Court.
Administrative subdivisions: 26 counties, 34 local authorities.
Major political parties: Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, Green Party, Sinn Fein.
Suffrage: Universal over 18.
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