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'''Northern Ireland''' is the smallest and least populous ] of the ]. It occupies roughly one sixth of the island of ] and is the only part of the United Kingdom to share a land border (that of the ]) with a foreign ]. | '''Northern Ireland''' is the smallest and least populous ] of the ]. It occupies roughly one sixth of the island of ] and is the only part of the United Kingdom to share a land border (that of the ]) with a foreign ]. | ||
Northern Ireland was created in ] out of the continuation of the ], when the island of Ireland became part of the United Kingdom. Twenty-six counties of Ireland were separated from the United Kingdom in 1921, following the ] and subsequent ]. The remaining six counties were named Northern Ireland. The ] operated for 50 years, until it was suspended in ] due to civil disturbances known as ]. Several attempts have since been made to restore some form of ] to the region, culminating in the recent ]. It is sometimes described as a ], referring to it being a province of the United Kingdom, though it is also part of a larger Irish province called ]. | Northern Ireland was created in ] out of the continuation of the ], when the island of Ireland as a whole became part of the United Kingdom. Twenty-six counties of Ireland were separated from the United Kingdom in 1921, following the ] and subsequent ]. The remaining six counties were named Northern Ireland. The ] operated for 50 years, until it was suspended in ] due to civil disturbances known as ]. Several attempts have since been made to restore some form of ] to the region, culminating in the recent ]. It is sometimes described as a ], referring to it being a province of the United Kingdom, though it is also part of a larger Irish province called ]. | ||
] to its south and west]] | ] to its south and west]] | ||
] is Northern Ireland's ]. The official flag of Northern Ireland is the ], although the ] is still widely used to represent Northern Ireland, particularly in sporting events. It is based on the older ] (with the addition of a crown, a star and a white background.) Flags and emblems are politically contentious, and several flags are widely flown. ] is the ] of Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland. | ] is Northern Ireland's ]. The official flag of Northern Ireland is the ], although the ] is still widely used to represent Northern Ireland, particularly in sporting events. It is based on the older ] (with the addition of a crown, a star and a white background.) Flags and emblems are politically contentious, and several flags are widely flown. ] is the ] of Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland. |
Revision as of 16:48, 20 March 2008
Northern Ireland is the smallest and least populous constituent country of the United Kingdom. It occupies roughly one sixth of the island of Ireland and is the only part of the United Kingdom to share a land border (that of the Republic of Ireland) with a foreign nation state.
Northern Ireland was created in 1921 out of the continuation of the Act of Union 1800, when the island of Ireland as a whole became part of the United Kingdom. Twenty-six counties of Ireland were separated from the United Kingdom in 1921, following the Irish War of Independence and subsequent Treaty. The remaining six counties were named Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Government operated for 50 years, until it was suspended in 1972 due to civil disturbances known as The Troubles. Several attempts have since been made to restore some form of devolved government to the region, culminating in the recent Belfast Agreement. It is sometimes described as a province, referring to it being a province of the United Kingdom, though it is also part of a larger Irish province called Ulster.
Belfast is Northern Ireland's capital city. The official flag of Northern Ireland is the Union Flag, although the former flag of the Government of Northern Ireland is still widely used to represent Northern Ireland, particularly in sporting events. It is based on the older flag of Ulster (with the addition of a crown, a star and a white background.) Flags and emblems are politically contentious, and several flags are widely flown. Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland had the largest textile industry in the world before the last industrial and technological revolutions, combined with outsourcing of labour made production cheaper elsewhere. Belfast is also known for having two of the largest gantry cranes in the world, towering above the largest dry dock in the world, in its ship building factory Harland & Wolff, which is also famous for producing the ill-fated RMS Titanic.
More about Northern Ireland...