Local Name Eire

Location occupies five-sixths of the island of Ireland
Bordered By Northern Ireland
Total Area 27,136 sq mi (70,283 sq km)
Comparative Area slightly larger than West Virginia
Greatest Distance N-S 289 mi (465 km)
Greatest Distance E-W 177 mi (285 km)
Coastline 1,738 mi (2,797 km)
Highest Point Carrauntoohill, 3,414 ft (1,041 m)
Lowest Point Atlantic coast, sea level
Natural Resources natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite

Population (2007 est) 4,109,086
Nationality Irish
Largest Cities Dublin, Cork
Ethnic Groups Celtic, English
Religions Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland
Languages English (official), Irish (official)

Capital Dublin
Current Constitution Adopted July 1, 1937
Form of Government republic, parliamentary democracy
Chief of State President Mary McAleese
Head of Government Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
Cabinet appointed by the President, with previous nomination by the Prime Minister and approval of the House of Representatives
Legislature bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas); 60-seat Senate (Seanad Eireann) and 166-seat House of Representatives (Dail Eireann)
Judiciary Supreme Court
Administrative Divisions 26 counties

Unit of Currency Euro
Per Capita Income $43,600
Principal Industries steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum processing; food products, brewing; textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, ship construction and refurbishment; glass and crystal; software; tourism
Agricultural Products turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products
Exports machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, live animals, animal products
Imports data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing

Independence Achieved from the United Kingdom, on December 6, 1921
National Holiday Saint Patrick's Day, March 17
Flag three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange
National Anthem The Soldier's Song

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History: General and Old World.--Great Britain.--Ireland.--General.

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