Ireland is an island nation that is a member of the European Union and has 26 counties. The United Kingdom, which includes Northern Ireland, is the only neighbor of the country. The North Atlantic Ocean encircles the nation on all other sides. The three most significant provinces are Limerick, Cork, and Dublin. The total area of Ireland is 70,273 square kilometers. It is among the minor nations that make up the European Union. It has a temperate marine climate that is normally cold in the summer and mild in the winter. The west coast features coastal cliffs and modest mountains, but otherwise the area is largely flat. There are more than 7 million people living there. Dublin serves as the country's capital., with over 1.2 million residents in the metro area, is also the most populated city. The cities of Cork and Limerick come next. Dublin Airport (DUB), with 32 million passengers annually, is the largest airport; Cork Airport follows with 2.5 million passengers annually. Celtic in origin, Irish culture is rich in tradition. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. English and Irish are recognized as the official languages of the nation. The common law is the foundation of the legal system, and the Supreme Court reviews every legislation. The form of government is parliamentary republican.. The elected chief of state is currently President Michael D. Higgins and the head of government is Leo Varadkar. The official currency of the country is the Euro (EUR) with the current exchange rate being EUR 0.93 to the USD. The country has an open economy, generating a GDP of approximately $412.7 billion, making it the 19th largest economy in Europe. Its citizens have a per capita income of $86,988. The GDP is mostly made up of services and the industry sector. Potatoes, barley, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals are its principal export commodities. The country boasts a very advanced banking industry. There are many different urban, cultural, and outdoor tourist attractions in Ireland. It is especially known for its rich Gaelic culture, attracting tourists during winter and summer. Some of the major destinations include the Cliffs of Moher, Grafton Street, Killarney National Park, the Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle and the Aran Islands. The country has a total of approximately 11 million tourists visiting every year. The majority of tourists are originating from Europe and the United States.
