FACTS ABOUT IRELAND
- Population 4.2 million
- 0-14 21% / 15-64 67% / >=65 12%
- Geographic coordinates 53 00 N, 8 00 W
- Languages in order of prevalence: English and Gaelic
- Religions: Catholic 88%, Church of Ireland 3%, Christian 2%, Other 2%, Unspecified 2% and None 4%
- Climate: Mild Winters, Cool Summers, Overcast & Breezy
- Terrain: Low mountain ranges and mostly level
- Natural Resouces: Peat, Natural Gas, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Gold, Silver, Limestone, Great People and World Class Links Golf Courses
- Government Type: Democracy
- Capital of Ireland is Dublin
- Capital of Norther Ireland is Belfast
- Four Provinces and 32 counties (6 part of Northern Ireland / Ulster)
- Independence 1922
- President Mr. Michael D. Higgins
- Prime Minister "An Taoiseach" Mr. Enda Kenny
- GDP: $285 billion (2008 est)
- Unemployment 7% (Jan 2009 est)
- Major Airports with Trans Atlantic Flights – Dublin, Shannon, Belfast International
- Other key airports – Cork, Belfast George Best Airport, Knock Airport and City of Derry Airport
- International Military Status – Neutral
- Member of N.A.T.O. Partnership for Peace
- Taxes on purchases: Visitors to Ireland from outside the European Union (EU) can buy goods in Ireland to take home with them and benefit from tax relief. Tax relief is not allowed on services, for example, hotel accommodation, meals or car hire. Keep all the forms you are issued with when you purchase goods. Store them carefully. Without them you cannot claim your money back. Refunds will not be made on store receipts. Refunds are available at the airport or by mail.
