Ireland

The island of Ireland is about 450 km long and 260 km wide and is located in the Atlantic Ocean. Overall, it has an area of ​​about 84,421 km ². It is Europe 's third largest island and the zwanzigstgrößte the world.

General

Ireland is referred to as the "Green Island". The English name of the island is Ireland, the Irish name Éire ( Old Irish Ériu ). The Latin name is Scotia or Hibernia ( Ivernia from older, a Latinized form of the Greek name Ierne, which comes from the ancient geographer Claudius Ptolemy, all derived from * Īwenjū ). In Welsh, the name Iwerddon. Today, it is assumed that the word Éire from the urkeltischen word * Φīwerjon - derived, so that Ireland means " rich country ".

On the island of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom lying. ( See also: List of divided islands. )

On the coastline, the mountains surround central levels. The Carrauntuohill in County Kerry is the highest mountain with 1041 meters. The Shannon divides the island into two non- equal parts and is about 370 km, of which almost 250 km are navigable, the longest river.

Historical classification in cóiced

The historical provinces of Ireland were designated cóiced. The original meaning of this word is " fifth ". The historical sources and the Irish sagas called the cóiced Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht; this is the "middle province " Meath. Some traditions arrive at the number five without Meath, by a division of Munster is assumed. The division into cóiced is attributed by Celtic mythology in the Lebor Gabála Érenn ( "Book of the Conquest of Ireland "), the Firbolg.

Flora and Fauna

Ireland is generally less rich in species than the European mainland or the neighboring island of Great Britain. This is mainly because that Ireland was isolated by the after the ice age relatively rapidly rising sea level. From the home only 31 in Ireland some mammals such as the badger, red fox or the hedgehog are very common, whereas others, such as the red deer are found only in national parks. Snakes will be looking for here in vain.

Also, there are no major natural forests in Ireland more as these were cleared conditionally in the 17th century by the destructive policies of Oliver Cromwell mostly. The wood needs of shipyards, glass works and metal melts ensured that in 1901 only one percent of the island was covered with forest. In 1997, there were thanks to EU funding already five percent. Was planted mainly with conifers conifers of the family, since they are based in Ireland, the birds provide the most food. 2002 were already subject to ten percent of its land area as forested and were used for forestry. The Irish government intends to increase the proportion to 17 percent by 2030.