The Environment and Us: Ireland

"The Republic of Ireland is an independent European country that occupies most of the island of Ireland, which lies to the west of England, Scotland, and Wales. The rest of the island is occupied by Northern Ireland, which is a separate nation under the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland, sometimes called the “Emerald Isle” because of its green landscape, has had a significant impact on Western literature, folk music, and dance... "

" ... Over the last 50 years, Ireland's high birthrate has made it demographically one of the youngest populations in the EU ... "

"Ireland is an island nation on the westernmost edge of Europe. It is the continent's second largest island (after Great Britain) ... "

"The island of Ireland ... 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 the six counties in the northeast and has been administered as a part of the U.K. since partition in 1922 ... "

"The magnificent scenery of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline faces a 2,000-mile- (3,200-km-) wide expanse of ocean, and its geographic isolation has helped it to develop a rich heritage of culture and tradition that was linked initially to the Gaelic language ... "

"The climate is warm and temperate in Ireland. Ireland is a region with a significant rainfall. Even in the driest month there is a lot of rain ... "