Northern Ireland

Population

According to mid-2006 estimates, Northern Ireland is home to 1,741,600 people.

Geography

Northern Ireland which is a land of mountains and forest parks, lakes and windswept moors is largely rural. Composed of 26 districts, Northern Ireland is derived from the boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry and the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone. Together they are commonly called Ulster, though the territory does not include the entire ancient province of Ulster.

Economy

Due to Ulster’s historic problems, investment levels have been poor. Since the beginning of 1997 however, millions of pounds have been invested in Northern Ireland’s economy by companies convinced the peace process will work. In 2004, nominal growth in the Northern Ireland economy, measured by Gross Value Added (GVA) was 5%, above the UK rate of 4.6%. The unemployment rate in January-March 2006 (4.4%) has more than halved over the last decade and compares favourably with the corresponding UK rate (5.2%).

Dining Out

Northern Ireland, whose lakes and rivers are full of fish such as salmon, trout, pike, perch and eels, is a perfect place to taste delicious seafood. The sea provides lobsters, prawns, oysters and mussels and all kinds of fish including cod, skate, plaice, herrings and mackerel.

Transport

Belfast and Dublin are connected by a good rail line and trains also connect Ulster's capital with Londonderry and the ferry port of Larne, which links with Stranraer in Scotland. The main M1 motorway runs west from Belfast as far as Dungannon and there are dual carriageway trunk roads to Londonderry and the Irish border.

Arts & Culture

There is plenty worth seeing in Northern Ireland including museums, visitor centres, historic and scenic attractions. Northern Ireland’s stately homes and history parks are not just for viewing; visitors can experience life as it was lived in times gone by. The Giant’s Causeway, Carrickfergus Castle or the Ulster American Folk Park, which are among the most famous sights of Northern Ireland, encourage visitors to touch and explore. Northern Ireland's attractions fall into several categories. Most are ideal for children; they'll never forget the thrill of touching sea life at Exploris Aquarium or pretending they're train drivers at the Transport Museum.

Lifestyle & Outdoor Recreation

Northern Ireland is a land of blue mountains and forest parks, mazy lakes and windswept moors, white Atlantic sands, an inland sea. For golfers there are the famous fairways of championship courses and whole series of lovely links, many in enchanting cliff-top settings. Renowned for providing a unique backdrop to a thriving urban area, the Belfast Hills offer fantastic views over Belfast. There are 50 miles of cruising waters on Lough Erne, sailing on Lough Neagh - the biggest lake in the British Isles - sea fishing off Strangford and the Antrim coast, and many other Water sports. You can enjoy cycling and pony trekking along the seashore and backpacking in the Mournes. Birdwatching, or touring the gardens and stately homes of Ulste are among the other outdoor options.

On the Net

www.discovernorthernireland.com/  

www.northernireland.gov.uk  

Weather

Over Northern Ireland the mean annual temperature at low altitudes varies from about 8.5 °C to 9.5 °C, with the higher values occurring around or near to the coasts. Around the coasts February is thus normally the coldest month, but inland there is little to choose between January and February as the coldest month. July is normally the warmest month in Northern Ireland, and the highest temperatures of all have occurred inland, furthest away from the cooling influence of the Atlantic. The highest temperature ever recorded in Northern Ireland is 30.8 °C at Knockarevan in County Fermanagh on 30 June 1976, and also at Shaw's Bridge in Belfast on 12 July 1983.

Below are the average temperature and rainfall figures for Belfast:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Avg. Max.

7°C

7°C

9°C

12°C

14°C

17°C

18°C

18°C

16°C

13°C

9°C

7°C

Avg. Min.

1°C

1°C

2°C

3°C

6°C

9°C

11°C

11°C

9°C

7°C

3°C

2°C

Mean

4°C

4°C

6°C

8°C

10°C

13°C

15°C

14°C

12°C

10°C

6°C

4°C

Avg. Precip.

86 mm

58 mm

66 mm

53 mm

61 mm

64 mm

64 mm

79 mm

84 mm

89 mm

79 mm

79 mm