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LOCATION :
Compromises 80% of the island of
Ireland. Northern Ireland is a constituent part of the United
Kingdom.
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES :
Ireland was
under British rule for over 700 years. In 1921 Ireland was
partitioned between the 26 countries that were Catholic and
Celtic, and the 6 countries in Northern Ireland that were
predominantly Protestant Scots Anglo-Saxon. The south became
independent in 1922 and then a parliamentary republic in
1949. Partition affected the political parts of both parts.
Of Northern Ireland's 1.6 million population, approximately
41% are Catholic and look to having closer links with the
south, while 54% are mainly Protestant and determined to
maintain their links with the UK. Thirty years of violence
in Northern Ireland now appear to be nearing an end thanks
to a peace agreement between the Irish and British
governments and the political parties of Northern Ireland.
There is freedom of religion. The Catholic Church has no
official link with the state, though it has a strong, but
waning, influence on all aspects of national life. Dubllin is the capital and the
population 1,000,000 (in year 2000), Irish 95% and others
5%. Official language is Irish.
People Groups :
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