Ulster (Ольстер) Located in the north of the island

Forests.

There is relative absence of trees, especially along the western seaboard where strong winds are the main limiting factor to growth.

Today Ireland is one of the most deforested areas in Europe: forest today covers 12,6% of the country, and most of it designated for commercial production.

Climate. Mild and equable climate. The climate is typically insular (островной) and is temperate avoiding the extremes in temperature. It is a reflection of the fact that its shores are bathed by the relatively warm ocean waters of the Gulfstream.

Average January and February are mainly between -7 and - 4 degr. C. And July and August temperatures are between +14 and +18 degr. C, occasionally reaching as high as 25 degr. C. Precipitation falls throughout the year but is light overall, particularly in the east. The west tends to be wetter on average and prone to Atlantic storms, especially in the late autumn and winter months. These occasionally bring destructive winds and higher total rainfall to these areas, as well as snow and hail.

The main provinces in both parts of the island. The island of Ireland is made up of 4 provinces: Connacht (Коннахт), Leinster, Munster and Ulster.

Connacht is situated in the west of the Ireland. The five counties of Connacht are Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. Many parts of the province retain their very strong Gaelic traditions, in particular the Aran Islands. The Irish language is spoken throughout Connacht's Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) areas. 5–10% native Irish speakers (40,000–55,000).

Leinster (Ленстер). This eastern province is home to the Republic of Ireland’s capital city Dublin, originally founded by the Vikings.

Leinster is the most populated province on the island, with over half the population of the Republic of Ireland living there. The area was heavily colonized over the centuries and, as a result, it's home to many fine examples of medieval, Norman, Georgian and Neolithic architecture. (12 counties make up the Leinster region)

Munster (Манстер).

The southern province of Ireland. Two of Ireland’s largest counties are found in Munster: Cork and Kerry. Munster’s counties are Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.

Ulster (Ольстер) Located in the north of the island.

The combined influences of several different cultures – the Ulster Scots, the Gaels, the Normans and the Anglo-Normans – have sculpted and colored the Ulster landscape in a particularly unique manner.

Natural beauties such as Donegal’s Glenveagh National Park, the Mourne Mountains, the Giant’s Causeway in Antrim make this part of the island a spectacular place to visit.

Meanwhile, the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast city, played its part in making maritime history as the birthplace of the world's most famous ship: the Titanic.

The province contains 9 counties of which 6 are part of the UK, 3 belong to Ireland.

4. Characterize the population of the Republic of Ireland. The role of emigration & immigration. Survey the administrative divisions of the country, its major cities.

Official name: Ireland (Irish: Eire).

Area: 70, 182 sq. km

Population: 4.5 mln (2011)

Capital: Dublin, 1.084 (2009) over 40 % of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin.

Administrative subdivisions: 26 countries, 34 local authorities.

Ethnic groups (2006 census):

Irish 87,4 %, other white 7,5 %

Asian 1.3 %

Black 1.1 %

Mixed 1.1 %

Unspecified 1.6 %

Religions:

Roman Catholic 86, 8 %

Church of Ireland 3%

Muslim 1%

Presbyterian 0.5 %

Other 8. 7 %

In 1841 – the population was 8,2 million, in 1846-48 many people died (as a result of a severe economic depression & the great famine when the potato crop failed) and many more emigrated, by 1930 it was only a half of 1846.

Mass emigration continued until the 1980s. From 1986 annual increase was only 1%.

Today there are 6,3 mln, 4,5 m live in the Republic of Ireland, 1,8 m live in Northern Ireland.

The 2006 Census recorded that there was 420,000 foreigners or about 10% immigrants to Ireland (due to the unprecedented economic growth).

Chinese and Nigerians came first to Ireland.

2008 – 50,000 eastern European migrant workers may have left the country (the world financial crisis).

Population density is 50 per sq km. 52 % of the population live in urban areas.

Many of them speak English. Less than 10% speak Irish regularly outside of the educational system.