英语国家概况之爱尔兰

1、Republic of IrelandGREEN: represents the catholics who want an unit IrelandWHITE: represents the hope for peaceORANGE: represents the protestant communityIreland in Europe Principal mountain: Mt. Carrantuohill 1041 mMountainsPrincipal river: Shannon 360 KmRivers1.4 FaunawOnly 26 land mammal species

2、are native to Ireland. wSome species, such as the red fox, hedgehog, and badger are very common, whereas others, like the Irish hare, red deer and pine marten are less so. wAquatic wild-life, such as species of turtle, shark, whale, and dolphin, are common off the coast. wAbout 400 species of birds

3、have been recorded in Ireland. Many of these are migratory, including the Barn Swallow. wThere are no snakes in Ireland and only one reptile (the common lizard) is native to the country. wExtinct species include the great Irish elk, the wolf, the great auk, and others. Some previously extinct birds,

4、 such as the Golden Eagle, have recently been reintroduced after decades of extirpation.1.5 FlorawForests now cover about 9% (4,450 km or one million acres) of the land. wBecause of its mild climate, many species, including sub-tropical species such as palm trees, are grown in Ireland. wMuch of the

5、land is now covered with pasture, and there are many species of wild-flower. Gorse (Ulex europaeus), a wild furze, is commonly found growing in the uplands, and ferns are plentiful in the more moist regions, especially in the western parts of Ireland. wIt is home to hundreds of plant species, some o

6、f them unique to the island. The country has been “invaded” by some grasses, such as Spartina anglica.General Informationw1. Capital: Dublinw2. Official languages : Irish, Englishw3. Population: About 4.5 millionw4. Total land area: 81,421 Sq km.w5. The highest peak is Carrauntoohil 1,041 m. wThe Ri

7、ver Shannon, at 386 km is the longest river in Ireland. HistorywPrehistory civilizationwCelts 600 BCEwSt. Patrick , 432 CatholicismMegalithswStone circle in County Cork, ca 3500BCSt. Patrick and CatholicismSent by Pope Celestine to Ireland in 432 A.D.Irish CatholicismThe English!w1171 - King Henry o

8、f England declared sovereignty, English colonization beginsw1509 - Henry VIII, suppression of Catholicism, erasure of Irishw1641, Irish Revolt (Catholics Protestants)w1800, The Act of Unionw1845-1849, the Great Faminew1916, the Easter Rising w1919 ,the Irish War of IndependenceIndependence FROM THE UNITED KINGDOMw- Declared 24 April 1916 w- Ratified 21 January 1919 w- Recognised 6