Northern Ireland

Foto © Anne Burgess / Public domain image

As the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland is one of the four semi-independent countries of the United Kingdom, as well as England, Scotland and Wales. About 1.8 million citizens of Northern Ireland make up a share of 30 per cent of Ireland’s entire population. Since 1973 Northern Ireland is divided into 27 administrative districts, which arouse from formerly six historic counties. Politically Northern Ireland is still closely related to the rest of Great Britain, although its governing authority can act much more self-governing since the so-called Good Friday Agreement from 1998, than it used to be before.

Northern Ireland’s most important river is Foyle which forms a natural border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in one of its sections in the west. Furthermore Northern Ireland has Lough Neagh, which is the biggest lake on the British Isles. The capital and also the biggest city of the country is Belfast, which has a population of approximately 280,000. Other bigger cities are Derry and Lisburn.

Despite a greater industrialisation as  compared to the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland has a unique nature and an  impressive rugged coastline of altogether about 500 km. It is worth mentioning that the political situation is very stable and easeful now. The clashes between catholic and protestant extremists fortunately are a thing of the past, that is why Northern Ireland is regarded as very safe today.

Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales all do have different school systems, which, it’s true, are akin, but whose contents and structures are determined by the local authorities.

Please learn more about the British education system under education and schooling.