Ireland (i/ˈaɪərlənd/, RP: [ˈʌɪələnd]; Irish: Éire [ˈeːɾʲə] ( listen); Ulster-Scots: Airlann or
Airlan) is an island to the north-west of continental Europe. It is the
third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth. To its
east is the larger island of Great Britain, from which it is separated by the
Irish Sea.
Politically, Ireland 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 north-east of the island. The population of Ireland is
approximately 6.4 million. Just under 4.6 million live in the Republic of
Ireland and just over 1.8 million live in Northern Ireland.
The island's geography comprises relatively low-lying
mountains surrounding a central plain, with several navigable rivers extending
inland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild but changeable
oceanic climate, which avoids extremes in temperature. Thick woodlands covered
the island until the 17th century. Today, it is one of the most deforested
areas in Europe. There are twenty-six extant mammal species native to Ireland.
A Norman invasion in the Middle Ages gave way to a Gaelic
resurgence in the 13th century. Over sixty years of intermittent warfare in the
1500s led to English dominance after 1603. In the 1690s, a system of Protestant
English rule was designed to materially disadvantage the Catholic majority and
Protestant dissenters, and was extended during the 18th century. In 1801,
Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom. A war of independence in the early
20th century led to the partition of the island, creating the Irish Free State,
which became increasingly sovereign over the following decades. Northern
Ireland remained a part of the United Kingdom and saw much civil unrest from
the late 1960s until the 1990s. This subsided following a political agreement
in 1998. In 1973, both parts of Ireland joined the European Economic Community.
Irish culture has had a significant influence on other
cultures, particularly in the fields of literature and, to a lesser degree,
science and education. Alongside mainstream Western culture, a strong
indigenous culture exists, as expressed for example through Gaelic games, Irish
music, and the Irish language. The culture of the island has also many features
shared with Great Britain, as expressed through sports such as soccer, rugby,
horse racing, and golf, as well as the English language.
