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Northern Ireland,
General Information
Area: 13,576 sq km (5242 sq miles).
Population: 1,696,814 (official estimate 2001).
Population Density: 125.0 per sq km.
Capital: Belfast. Population: 277,100 (official estimate 2001).
Geography: Northern Ireland contains some beautiful scenery, from the rugged coastline in the north and northeast to the gentle fruit-growing regions of Armagh. To the west are the Sperrin Mountains and the lake of Fermanagh, where the winding River Erne provides excellent fishing. The high moorland plateau of Antrim in the northeast gives way to the glens further south and to the Drumlin country of County Down; further south still, the Mountains of Mourne stretch down to the sea.
Government: In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement between Northern Ireland’s political parties, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland provided for the transfer of responsibility for the administration of Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom to an elected Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II. Head of Government: Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Language: English. Irish is spoken by a minority.
Note: For information on religion, time, electricity and communications, see the main United Kingdom section.
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