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Dublin. Population: 1.2 million (2006).
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of
the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great
Britain
70,182 sq km (27,097 sq miles).
Description:
The Republic of Ireland lies in the north Atlantic Ocean and is
separated from Britain by the Irish Sea to the east. The northeastern
part of the island (Northern Ireland) is part of the United Kingdom.
The country has a central plain surrounded by a rim of mountains and
hills offering some of the most varied and unspoilt scenery in Europe
– quiet sandy beaches, semi-tropical bays warmed by the Gulf Stream,
and rugged cliffs make up the 5,600km (3,500 miles) of coastline.
language:
Although Irish (Gaelic) is the official language, spoken as a first
language by about 55,000 people (mostly in the west), English is the
language of the overwhelming majority of the population. Official
documents are printed in both languages
Climate:
The temperate climate is due to mild southwesterly winds and the
Gulf Stream. Summers are warm, while temperatures during winter are
much cooler. Spring and autumn are very mild. Rain falls all year.
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Economy - overview:
Ireland's recent economic history is characterised by what is now the
cliché of the ‘Celtic Tiger'. Along with Portugal as one of the clear
winners of a vigorous EU membership, Ireland transformed from one of
the more struggling developed countries - largely because of large
scale migration - in Europe to one of the most successful and wealthy,
wiping out the brain drain it suffered. In 2005, Economist rated it as
having the best quality of life. Like much of western Europe, the
knowledge industry is becoming much more important, as is tourism.
However, agriculture remains a diminishing, but key sector; beef and
dairy dominate the sector, with runners up potatoes, barley and wheat.
After a long growth spurt, this economic boom came to a halt in 2008
with the start of the global economic downturn, suffering greatly -
the property bubble was particularly inflated here. The Economic and
Social Research Institute (ESRI) stated in a report published in April
2008 that Ireland's economy will contract by around 14 per cent by
2010, not recovering until 2011.
Economy:
Ireland's recent economic history is characterised by what is now the
cliché of the ‘Celtic Tiger'. Along with Portugal as one of the clear
winners of a vigorous EU membership, Ireland transformed from one of
the more struggling developed countries - largely because of large
scale migration - in Europe to one of the most successful and wealthy,
wiping out the brain drain it suffered. In 2005, Economist rated it as
having the best quality of life. Like much of western Europe, the
knowledge industry is becoming much more important, as is tourism.
However, agriculture remains a diminishing, but key sector; beef and
dairy dominate the sector, with runners up potatoes, barley and wheat.
After a long growth spurt, this economic boom came to a halt in 2008
with the start of the global economic downturn, suffering greatly -
the property bubble was particularly inflated here. The Economic and
Social Research Institute (ESRI) stated in a report published in April
2008 that Ireland's economy will contract by around 14 per cent by
2010, not recovering until 2011.
food products, brewing, textiles,
clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation
equipment, glass and crystal; software
Exports:
Machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and
animals. • Main trade partners: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and
The Netherlands.
Imports:
Data processing equipment, transport equipment, grains, textile yarns,
and chemicals.
Exchange rates:
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500,
200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1,
and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/126/money/Europe/Ireland.html
Daily Exchange Rates
GDP :
US$180.7 billion (2006).
Useful links:
- Ministries &
Organization
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Irish Government
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Parliament
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Foreign Affairs, Department of
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Agriculture and Food, Department of
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Arts, Sport and Tourism, Department of
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Attorney General, Office of the
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Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Department of
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Defense, Department of
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Education and Science, Department of
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Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Department of
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Finance, Department of
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Health and Children, Department of
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Justice, Equality and Law Reform
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Social and Family Affairs, Department of
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Tánaiste, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Department of the
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Taoiseach, Department of the
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Transport, Department of
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