Ireland Flag

Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is an island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the northwest coast of Europe. It is the second-largest island in the British Isles, and the third-largest in Europe, with a population of over 7 million people. The country is divided into two regions: the Republic of Ireland, which covers about five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

The landscape of Ireland is characterized by low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain, with several navigable rivers flowing inland. Its climate is mild and temperate, with abundant rainfall and cloud cover, and is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The island has a diverse and lush vegetation, with about 10% of the land covered in woodland, mostly consisting of non-native conifer plantations.

Gaelic culture emerged in Ireland in the 1st century AD, and the island was Christianized in the 5th century. In the 12th century, the Anglo-Norman invasion brought England's sovereignty over the island, but it was not until the 16th and 17th centuries, with the Tudor conquest, that English rule extended over all of Ireland. A system of Protestant English rule was implemented in the 1690s, which disadvantaged the Catholic majority and Protestant dissenters, and was further extended in the 18th century. In 1801, Ireland became part of the United Kingdom through the Acts of Union. A war of independence in the early 20th century led to the creation of the Irish Free State, which became increasingly sovereign, and Northern Ireland, which remained a part of the United Kingdom.

Irish culture has had a significant influence on other cultures, particularly in literature. It also shares many features with British culture, including the English language and sports such as football, rugby, horse racing, golf, and boxing. Gaelic games, Irish music, Irish language, and Irish dance are also important aspects of Irish culture. In 1973, the Republic of Ireland joined the European Economic Community, and in 2020, the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, left the European Union.