9781422278017

The Geography of Ireland

Location: western Europe, occupying five- sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain Area: slightly larger than West Virginia total: 27,131 square miles (70,273 sq. km) land: 26,595 square miles (68,883 sq. km) water: 536 square miles (1,390 sq. km) Borders: UK 275 miles (443 km) Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: mostly flat to rolling interior plain

surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 feet (0 m) highest point: Carrauntoohil 3,415 feet (1,041 meters) Natural Hazards: rare extreme weather events Source: www.cia.gov 2017