Ireland Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Ireland?

Overview

The island of Ireland (Éire in the Irish language) is divided politically into two parts: Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland (formally referred to as the "Republic of Ireland") contains 26 of the island's 32 counties. Northern Ireland contains six counties in the northeast and has been administered as a part of the U.K. since partition in 1922.

The 26 counties cover 27,136 square miles, with the greatest length from north to south being 302 miles and the greatest width 171 miles. Ireland is separated from Britain by the Irish Sea, ranging 60-120 miles across.

The central limestone lowland of the island is ringed by a series of coastal mountains. The central plain is primarily devoted to family farming and is also notable for its bogs and lakes. The highest peak is Carrantuohill in Kerry at 3,414 feet. Newcomers are immediately impressed with the beauty and charm of the countryside, which is dotted with historic landmarks and alternating rolling hills and pastures, mountain lake country, and stark sea cliffs.

Geography - note

strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin

Ireland Use of Natural Resources

Geographic Location	Europe
Total Area	27,132 Square Miles 70,273 Square Kilometers
Land Area	26,596 Square Miles 68,883 Square Kilometers
Water Area	537 Square Miles 1,390 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	224 Miles 360 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	4 Square Miles 11 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	UK 360 km
Coastline	900 Miles 1,448 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	53 00 N, 8 00 W
Terrain	mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on the west coast
Highest Point	1,041 Meters
Highest Point Location	Carrauntoohil 1,041 m
Lowest Point Location	Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural Resources	Natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite
Time Zone	UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time	+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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