Irlanda

Ireland
Is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the northwest of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets. To the east of Ireland is Great Britain, separated from it by the Irish Sea. The island is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which covers just under five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland,a part of the United Kingdom, which covers the remainder and is located in the northeast of the island. The population of Ireland is approximately 6.2 million people.
Location and Geography
The island of Ireland is located in the north-west of Europe, between latitudes 51° and 56° N, and longitudes 11° and 5° W. It is separated from the neighbouring island of Great Britain by the Irish Sea andthe North Channel. To the west is the northern Atlantic Ocean and to the south is the Celtic Sea, which spans south-eastwardly from Ireland to Brittany, in France.
A ring of coastal mountains surround low plains at the centre of the island. The highest of these is Carrauntoohil in County Kerry, which rises to 13,406 ft above sea level. The River Shannon, the island's longest river at 386 kmlong.
Governance
Ireland is occupied by two political entities:
* The Republic of Ireland, ratified 21 January 1919 and officially formed on the 6 December 1922, (officially Ireland), a sovereign state that covers five-sixths of the island. Its capital is Dublin.
* Northern Ireland, established on the 3 May 1921, is a part of the United Kingdom that covers the remaining sixth. Its capitalis Belfast.
Traditionally, Ireland is subdivided into four provinces: Connacht (west), Leinster (east), Munster (south), and Ulster (north). In a system that developed between the 13th and 17th centuries, Ireland has thirty-two traditional counties. Twenty-six of the counties are in the Republic of Ireland and six counties are in Northern Ireland.
Languages
English has been the predominantfirst language: a large minority claim some ability to use Irish, although it is the first language only of a small percentage of the population. Under the Irish constitution, both languages have official status.

Education
There are three distinct levels of education in Ireland: primary, secondary and higher (often known as "third-level") education. Education in Ireland is free at all levels,including college (university). There are Student Services Fees (up to €1,500 in 2009/10) which students are required to pay on registration, to cover examinations, insurance and registration costs.
Education is compulsory for all children in Ireland from the ages of six to 16 or until students have completed three years of second level education and including one sitting of the JuniorCertificate examination although it is most common to start primary education aged four or five.
Economy
Ireland has transformed in recent years from an agricultural focus to a modern knowledge economy, focusing on services and high-tech industries and dependent on trade, industry and investment.
Exports play an important role in Ireland's economic growth. Ireland now ranks as the seventh largestproducer of zinc concentrates in the world, and the twelfth largest producer of lead concentrates. The combined output from these mines make Ireland the largest zinc producer in Europe and the second largest producer of lead. The country is one of the largest exporters of pharmaceuticals and software-related goods and services in the world.
Agriculture
Because of its mild climate, many species,including sub-tropical species such as palm trees, are grown in Ireland. The island itself can be subdivided into two ecoregions: the Celtic broadleaf forests and North Atlantic moist mixed forests. Forest covers about 10% of the country, with most designated for commercial production.
Important Architecture and Structure of Ireland
There are three World Heritage Sites on the island: the Brú na...