Geography ofRepublicIreland

Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths ofislandIreland inNorth Atlantic Ocean, westGreat Britain

Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W

Map references: Europe

Area:
total: 70,280 sq km
land: 68,890 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries:
total: 360 km
border countries: UK 360 km

Coastline: 1,448 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive fishing zone: 370 km (200 nm)
territorial sea: 22 km (12 nm)

Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about halftime

Terrain: mostly levelrolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hillslow mountains; sea cliffs on west coast

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

Natural resources: zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver

image:www.wesleyjohnston.com-users-ireland-maps-island_agriculture.gif

Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 68%
forestswoodland: 5%
other: 14% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: NA

Environment - current issues: water pollution, especiallylakes, from agricultural runoff

Environment - international agreementsRepublicIrelandparty to:

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law ofSea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Tropical Timber 94

Geography - note: strategic location on major airsea routes between North Americanorthern Europe; over 40% ofpopulation resides within 97 kmDublin

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Maps from http://www.irelandstory.com