Ireland (2003)

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Ireland 2003 year


Administrative divisions	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 note: Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of Ulster Province
Age structure	0-14 years: 21.2% (male 427,017; female 404,191) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 1,322,982; female 1,322,429) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 194,724; female 252,797) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products	turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products
Airports	36 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways	total: 16 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 6 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 17 (2002)
Area	total: 70,280 sq km land: 68,890 sq km water: 1,390 sq km
Area - comparative	slightly larger than West Virginia
Background	Celtic tribes settled on the island in the 4th century B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is currently being implemented.
Birth rate	14.63 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget	revenues: $30.7 billion expenditures: $30.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.5 billion (2002)
Capital	Dublin
Climate	temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Coastline	1,448 km
Constitution	29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite
Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland
Currency	euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Death rate	7.94 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external	$11 billion (1998)
Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Richard J. EGAN embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946
Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Noel FAHEY; note - FAHEY has announced that he will leave chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco
Disputes - international	disputes with Iceland, Denmark, and the UK over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM
Economic aid - donor	ODA, $283 million (2001)
Economy - overview	Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging a robust 8% in 1995-2002. The global slowdown, especially in the information technology sector, pressed growth down to 2.7% in 2003. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Industry accounts for 46% of GDP and about 80% of exports and employs 28% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's growth, the economy has also benefited from a rise in consumer spending, construction, and business investment. Per capita GDP is 10% above that of the four big European economies. Over the past decade, the Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb inflation, reduce government spending, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined in launching the euro currency system in January 1999 along with 10 other EU nations.
Electricity - consumption	21.63 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports	285 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports	38 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production	23.53 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 95.9% hydro: 2.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001)
Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m
Environment - current issues	water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff
Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups	Celtic, English
Exchange rates	euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 0.7 (1998)
Executive branch	chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 31 October 1997 (next to be held NA November 2004); prime minister nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6% note: government coalition - Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats
Exports	285 million kWh (2001)
Exports	$86.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Exports	27,450 bbl/day (2001)
Exports - commodities	machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products (1999)
Exports - partners	UK 23.3%, US 16.7%, Belgium 14.6%, Germany 7.3%, France 5% (2002)
Fiscal year	calendar year
Flag description	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
GDP	purchasing power parity - $113.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $29,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate	6.9% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates	53 00 N, 8 00 W
Geography - note	strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 97 km of Dublin
Highways	total: 92,500 km paved: 87,043 km (including 115 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,457 km (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 27.3% (1997)
Illicit drugs	transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe
Imports	38 million kWh (2001)
Imports	$48.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports	3.384 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Imports	178,600 bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities	data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals; petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing
Imports - partners	UK 41.1%, US 15.3%, Germany 6.8% (2002)
Independence	6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty)
Industrial production growth rate	6% (2002 est.)
Industries	food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal; software
Infant mortality rate	total: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)	4.6% (2002 est.)
International organization participation	Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	22 (2000)
Irrigated land	NA sq km
Judicial branch	Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet)
Labor force	1.8 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 8%, industry 29%, services 64% (2002 est.)
Land boundaries	total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km
Land use	arable land: 19.49% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 80.47% (1998 est.)
Languages	English is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard
Legal system	based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats - 49 elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 and 17 July 2002 (next to be held by July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 17 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 30, Fine Gael 15, Labor Party 5, Progressive Democrats 4, independents and others 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.5%, Fine Gael 22.5%, Labor Party 10.8%, Sinn Fein 6.5%, Progressive Democrats 4.0%, Green Party 3.8%, others 10.9%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 81, Fine Gael 31, Labor Party 21, Progressive Democrats 8, Green Party 6, Sinn Fein 5, others 14
Life expectancy at birth	total population: 77.35 years male: 74.58 years female: 80.31 years (2003 est.)
Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% (1981 est.) male: NA female: NA
Location	Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Map references	Europe
Maritime claims	exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine	total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 110,913 GRT/128,017 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 20, container 1, short-sea passenger 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 2 (2002 est.)
Military branches	Army (including Naval Service and Air Corps), National Police (Garda Siochana)
Military expenditures - dollar figure	$700 million (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP	0.9% (FY00/01)
Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 1,020,182 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 821,378 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age	17 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 31,437 (2003 est.)
National holiday	Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
Nationality	noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish
Natural hazards	NA
Natural resources	zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver
Net migration rate	3.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines	gas 1,795 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders	Fianna Fail [Bertie AHERN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [Trevor SARGENT]; Labor Party [Pat RABITTE]; Progressive Democrats [Mary HARNEY]; Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Sean GARLAND]
Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Population	3,924,140 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line	10% (1997 est.)
Population growth rate	1.03% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors	Arklow, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Foynes, Galway, Limerick, New Ross, Waterford
Radio broadcast stations	AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways	total: 3,312 km broad gauge: 1,947 km 1.600-m gauge (46 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2002)
Religions	Roman Catholic 91.6%, Church of Ireland 2.5%, other 5.9% (1998)
Sex ratio	at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Telephone system	general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay domestic: microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use	1.6 million (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular	3 million (2002)
Television broadcast stations	4 (many low-power repeaters) (2001)
Terrain	mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Total fertility rate	1.89 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate	4.3% (2002 est.)
Waterways	700 km (limited facilities for commercial traffic) (1998)

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