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Ireland

Facts & Figures of Ireland

Total area:
70,280 sq km (this makes it the 127th largest country in world)

Border countries:
Ireland occupies five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain. The remaining sixth of the island is occupied by Great Britain. The nearest country is Great Britain.

Population:
3,924,140 (July 2003 est.). This ranks Ireland as the 123rd most populous country in the world.

Religion:
By far the most popular religion in Ireland is Roman Catholic, with about 91.6% of the population practicing this religion.

Language:
English is the language generally used. Irish (Gaelic) is spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard (around 83,000 native speakers).

States & Territories:
The Republic of Ireland is traditionally described as having 26 counties. Over time some have been restructured producing a total of 30 administrative counties:

Capital: Dublin

Independence: December 6th, 1921 (from UK by treaty)

Flag: Three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange.

Industry & Agriculture: The Irish economy can be described as small, modern and trade dependent. Industry and services are now more important than agriculture in the economic sector. Ireland joined in launching the euro currency system in January 1999 along with 10 other EU nations.

The major industries of Ireland include: Food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal, and software

The major agricultural products include: turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, beef and dairy products.

What can you find in your house or local store that was made or grown in Ireland?

Currency: euro (EUR)
note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

One Euro is worth about 1.68 Canadian dollars and about 1.29 American dollars.

If you were to convert the money in your piggy bank or savings account into Euros, how much would you have? How much would it cost to buy your favourite treat? How about your favourite toy or a new CD?