Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/114.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 13KB | 328 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\ireland.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Ireland"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Ireland, click {z,"-11.249160,50.115160,-4.010492,55.580198",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic
Ocean, west of Great Britain

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 70,280 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 68,890 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly larger than West Virginia

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 360 km
border country: UK 360 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 1,448 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
{3}continental shelf:{4} not specified
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} Northern Ireland question with the UK; Rockall continental shelf dispute
involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in
the Rockall area)

{2}Climate:{4} temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers;
consistently humid; overcast about half the time

{2}Terrain:{4} mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea
cliffs on west coast
{3}lowest point:{4} Atlantic Ocean 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Carrauntoohill 1,041 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} zinc, lead, natural gas, petroleum, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite,
peat, silver

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 14%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 0%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 71%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 5%
{3}other:{4} 10%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} NA sq km

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

{2}natural hazards:{4} NA

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur
94, Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

{2}Geographic note:{4} strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and
northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 60 miles of Dublin


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 3,566,833 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 23% (male 424,558; female 402,062)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 65% (male 1,175,383; female 1,157,960)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 12% (male 173,150; female 233,720) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} -0.22% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 13.22 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 8.93 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -6.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.07 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.06 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.02 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.74 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 75.58 years
{3}male:{4} 72.88 years
{3}female:{4} 78.46 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 1.83 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Irishman(men), Irishwoman(men), Irish (collective plural)
{3}adjective:{4} Irish

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Celtic, English

{2}Religions:{4} Roman Catholic 93%, Anglican 3%, none 1%, unknown 2%, other 1% (1981)

{2}Languages:{4} Irish (Gaelic), spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard, English is
the language generally used

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 98%
{3}male:{4} NA%
{3}female:{4} NA%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} none
{3}conventional short form:{4} Ireland

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Dublin

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway,
Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan,
Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

{2}Independence:{4} 6 December 1921 (from UK)

{2}National holiday:{4} Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March

{2}Constitution:{4} 29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite

{2}Legal system:{4} based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts;
judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} President Mary Bourke ROBINSON (since 9 November 1990) was elected for a
seven-year term by popular vote; election last held 9 November 1990 (next to be held NA
November 1997); results - Mary Bourke ROBINSON 52.8%, Brian LENIHAN 47.2%
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister John BRUTON (since 15 December 1994) was nominated by
the House of Representatives and appointed by the president
{3}cabinet:{4} Cabinet was appointed by president with previous nomination of the prime minister and
approval of the House of Representatives

{2}Legislative branch:{4} bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas)
Senate (Seanad Eireann): elections last held NA February 1992 (next to be held NA February
1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total, 49 elected) Fianna Fail 26, Fine
Gael 16, Labor 9, Progressive Democrats 2, Democratic Left 1, independents 6
House of Representatives (Dail Eireann): elections last held 25 November 1992 (next to be held
by NA November 1997); results - Fianna Fail 39.1%, Fine Gael 24.5%, Labor Party 19.3%,
Progressive Democrats 4.7%, Democratic Left 2.8%, Sinn Fein 1.6%, Workers' Party 0.7%,
independents 5.9%; seats - (166 total) Fianna Fail 68, Fine Gael 45, Labor Party 33, Progressive
Democrats 10, Democratic Left 4, Greens 1, independents 5

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president on the advice of the
government (prime minister and cabinet)

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Democratic Left, Proinsias DE ROSSA; Fianna Fail, Bertie AHERN;
Labor Party, Richard SPRING; Fine Gael, John BRUTON; Communist Party of Ireland, Michael
O'RIORDAN; Sinn Fein, Gerry ADAMS; Progressive Democrats, Mary HARNEY; The Workers'
Party, Marion DONNELLY; Green Alliance, Bronwen MAHER
{3}note:{4} Prime Minister BRUTON heads a three-party coalition consisting of the Fine Gael, the Labor
Party, and the Democratic Left

{2}International organization participation:{4} Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA,
EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NEA, NSG, OECD, OSCE, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIH, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO,
UPU, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Dermot A. GALLAGHER
{3}chancery:{4} 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Jean Kennedy SMITH
{3}embassy:{4} 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin
{3}mailing address:{4} use embassy street address
{3}telephone:{4} [353] (1) 6688777
{3}FAX:{4} [353] (1) 6689946

{2}Flag:{4} three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote
d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also
similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} The economy is small and trade dependent. Agriculture, once the most
important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 80% of
exports, and employs 28% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for
Ireland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in consumer spending and
recovery in both construction and business investment. Ireland has substantially reduced its
external debt since 1987, to 40% of GDP in 1994. Over the same period, inflation has fallen
sharply and chronic trade deficits have been transformed into annual surpluses. Unemployment
remains a serious problem, however, and job creation is the main focus of government policy. To
ease unemployment, Dublin aggressively courts foreign investors and recently created a new
industrial development agency to aid small indigenous firms. Government assistance is
constrained by Dublin's continuing deficit reduction measures.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $54.6 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 7% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $15,400 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 6.8%
{3}industry:{4} 35.3%
{3}services:{4} 57.9% (1994)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 2.8% (1995 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 1.37 million
{3}by occupation:{4} services 57.0%, manufacturing and construction 28%, agriculture, forestry, and
fishing 13.5%, energy and mining 1.5% (1992)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 13.5% (1995 est.)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $19.3 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $20.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.6 billion (1994)

{2}Industries:{4} food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery,
transportation equipment, glass and crystal

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 8.9% (1995 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 3,930,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 14.9 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 3,938 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; meat and dairy products

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands

{2}Exports:{4} $29.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} chemicals, data processing equipment, industrial machinery, live animals, animal
products
{3}partners:{4} EU 73% (UK 27%, Germany 14%, France 9%), US 9%

{2}Imports:{4} $25.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} food, animal feed, data processing equipment, petroleum and petroleum products,
machinery, textiles, clothing
{3}partners:{4} EU 58% (UK 36%, Germany 7%, France 4%), US 18%

{2}External debt:{4} $19.5 billion (1994 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
donor: ODA, $81 million (1993)

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Irish pound (úIr) = 100 pence

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Irish pounds (úIr) per US$1 - 0.6315 (January 1996), 0.6235 (1995), 0.6676
(1994), 0.6816 (1993), 0.5864 (1992), 0.6190 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,944 km
{3}broad gauge:{4} 1,944 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified; 485 km double track) (1995)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 92,327 km
{3}paved:{4} 86,787 km (including 32 km of expressways)
{3}unpaved:{4} 5,540 km (1992 est.)

{2}Waterways:{4} limited for commercial traffic

{2}Pipelines:{4} natural gas 225 km

{2}Ports:{4} Arklow, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Foynes, Galway, Limerick, New Ross, Waterford

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 129,027 GRT/155,371 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} bulk 4, cargo 27, chemical tanker 1, container 3, oil tanker 2, short-sea passenger
3, specialized tanker 2 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 40
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 29
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 3 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 900,000 (1987 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay
{3}domestic:{4} microwave radio relay
{3}international:{4} satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 9, FM 45, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 2.2 million (1991 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 86 (1987 est.)

{2}Televisions:{4} 1.025 million (1990 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps), National Police (Garda Siochana)

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 939,237
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 761,048
males reach military age (17) annually: 35,904 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $618 million, 1.3% of GDP (1994)