14--Europe--Ireland

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=**Geographical Profile/Political Information**=
 * Distance from Lancaster to Ireland**- 3238.757 miles


 * Cities**- The major cities in Ireland include Dublin (its capital), Belfast, Limerick, Cork, Galway, Newry, Lisburn, Waterford, Armagh and Kilkenny.


 * Food**- Irish food is known for the quality and freshness of its ingredients. Most cooking is done without herbs or spices, except for salt and pepper. Foods are usually served without sauce or gravy. The staples of the Irish diet have traditionally been potatoes, grains, and dairy products. Potatoes still appear at most Irish meals, with potato scones, similar to biscuits or muffins, a specialty in the north.


 * Holidays**- Much of the Irish calendar still today reflects the old pagan customs, with later Christian traditions also having significant influence. As in other countries, the date for observing Christmas was deliberately chosen to coincide with the winter solstace. Christmas in Ireland has several local traditions, some in no way connected with Christianity. Brigid's Day also does not have its origins in Christianity, being instead another religious observance superimposed at the beginning of spring. The Brigid's cross made from rushes on this day represents a pre-Christian solar wheel. Other pre-Christian festivals, whose names survive as Irish month names, are Bealtaine (May), Lunasa (August) and Samhain (November). The last is still widely observed as Halloween, followed by All Saints Day, another Christian holiday associated with a traditional one. Important church holidays include Easter, and various Marian observances. The national holiday in the Republic is Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March and is marked by parades and festivals in cities and towns. The Twelfth of July, which commemorates William III's victory at the Battle of Byone and the beginning of the Protestant Ascendancy, is celebrated by many Protestants throughout Northern Ireland.


 * Physical Features**- Mountain ranges, woods, rivers, lakes, ocean veiws


 * Climate**- Ireland enjoys a temperate maritime climate, due mainly to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the presence of the Gulf Stream. Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is so green because it receives a lot of precipitation.


 * Government**- republic, parliamentary democracy


 * Head of government**- (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen (since 7 May 2008)


 * Global Organization**- Nato and Euro



**Economic Information**
 * Unemployment rate**- Unemployment rate was 12 percent in 2009.


 * Euros per US dollar** - 0.7338, in 2009.


 * Agricultural products**- turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, beef, dairy products.


 * Industries**- steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment; glass and crystal; software, tourism.

Imports and money- data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing. About 64.9 billion made in 2009 from trade.
 * Import Partners**- UK 37.6%, US 11.6%, Germany 8.6%, Netherlands 5.6% (2008)


 * Export partners**- US 18.9%, UK 18.4%, Belgium 14.6%, Germany 6.9%, France 5.8%, Spain 4.2% (2008)


 * Exports and money**- machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products. About $5.308 billion made in 2009.


 * GDP**- 7.5% (2009 est.)


 * GDP per capita**- $42,200 (2009 est.)


 * Human development Index**- 0.946 and ranked number 8.

=**Population Information**=
 * Current population**- 4,203,200 (July 2009 est.)


 * Infant mortality rate**- 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births


 * Life expectancy**- total population: 78.24 years, male: 75.6 years, female: 81.06 years (2009 est.)


 * Literacy**- age 15 and over can read and write, (total pop, men, women) 99% (est. 2003.)


 * Ethnic groups**- Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)


 * National rate of increase**- 1.12% (2009 est.)


 * Main language**- English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas along the western coast

=**Human Rights Information**=

The conflict in Northern Ireland stems from a history of British rule, historical animosity between Catholics and Protestants, and the various armed and political attempts to unite Northern Ireland with the rest of the island. Nationalist and Republican groups seek a united Ireland, while Unionists and Loyalists want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. After decades of violence by both Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries, most notably the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the British and Irish Governments negotiated an IRA ceasefire in 1994.

=**Environmental Information**=

Ireland is probably one of the most forgiving places on earth. To show this, one of the facts of the environmental state of Ireland is that 85 percent of lakes and 70 percent of all river miles are in good quality, according to a recent survey. There is how ever a tremendous litter problem, but the rains break down much of the roadside waste, and tall grasses hide more. Most of the countryside is green and growing, and the threats to the environment are mostly not as obvious as elsewhere. According to a CNET report, the Irish government hopes to generate 75 megawatts in 2012 and 500 megawatts in 2020 on wave power alone. Graham Brennan, a program manager at Sustainable Energy, an part of the Irish government, says "70% of Ireland’s power need could come from ocean waves."

=Decision Statement=

I believe that Ireland would be best for relocating to because, of the republic/parliamentary democracy and due to this, I think that people would most likely, like it more then the Government found in say the US or Canada. Also, most of Ireland is lush and green, so people would have time to get down to their roots and become farmers and find out how to really make money, not by sitting behind a desk all day calling that a job. Plus when the work day is over, you could go enjoy yourself by the ocean since Ireland isn't all that big, you can find yourself by water relatively quickly. Most of the Irish holidays are fun to celebrate so I'm sure that other people wouldn't mind celebrating them either. Really Ireland isn't a bad place at all. Most of this is due to pureness of the land. Ireland is full of its original people and hasn't really changed much over the centuries. The reason for this is because the people of Ireland have found what is best for a country and they haven't changed that so, the people live happy along with the animals and everything else that lives in Ireland. That is why Ireland is the best place for relocating and living. =**Bibliography**= [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []