... nnel, on the southeast by the Irish Sea, and on the south and est by Ireland. The border ith Ireland is 360 km 220 mi long. The regions coastline consists of ide, sandy beaches, broken by steep cliffs in the north, northeast, and southeast. Near the northernmost point of Northern Ireland is Giants Causeay, an unusual formation of basalt columns created by the cooling of an ancient lava flo. Rathlin Island and several smaller islands lie off the northern coast. The different regions of Northern Ireland are frequently referred to by the names of the provinces six traditional Irish counties, even though they are no longer the units of local government. These are-clockise from the northeast-Antrim, Don, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Londonderry Derry.The regions topography is often described as saucer-shaped A lo-lying central area is surrounded by the Antrim Mountains and Glens of Antrim to the north and northeast, the Mourne Mountains to the southeast, the uplands of south Armagh to the south, and the Sperrin Mountains to the northest. A number of broad river valleys run from the central region to the sea. The highest mountain is Slieve Donard 852 m2,795 ft, located at the eastern end of the Mourne Mountains in County Don.A. Rivers and Lakes Lough Neagh, in the center of Northern Ireland, is the largest freshater lake in the British Isles, ith an area of 396 sq km 153 sq mi. All the regions counties border it except Fermanagh. Upper and Loer Lough Erne, in County Fermanagh, are the only other major freshater lakes. Belfast Lough, Carlingford Lough, Strangford Lough, and Lough Foyle are the largest sea inlets. The major river of Northern Ireland is the Bann, hich rises in the Mourne Mountains and flos northard through Lough Neagh to become a ide and navigable ateray to the sea. The Foyle flos north to the sea at the port city of Londonderry Derry, forming the border ith Ireland for part of its length. The Lagan flos northeast to the sea at Belfast.B. Plant and Animal Life ild plant and animal life is similar to that found in the northern and estern parts of Britain. Sedges, rushes, ferns, and grasses are the principal plants, and rhododendrons flourish in many areas. inters are mild and there are no regular sharp frosts, so it is also possible to gro decorative shrubs such as fuchsia and exotic imports such as those of the genus Escallonia. ild mammals are limited to small rodents of the oods and fields, such as rabbits and stoats. There are many species of small birds. Salmon and trout thrive in Northern Irelands rivers and lakes, and the province is also knon for a distinctive type of hitefish called the pollan, found in Lough Neagh and Upper and Loer Lough Erne. C. Natural Resources Ireland is not rich in minerals. Small-scale coal mining has been pursued sporadically at Coalisland, in central Northern Ireland, and at Ballycastle in the north. Farmers and other rural people harvest peat for fuel, but very fe deposits are broad or deep enough to justify commercial exploitation. Limestone and gravel are extensively quarried. Some 6 percent of Northern Irelands land area is forested, much of it planted in recent times.D. Climate Northern Irelands climate is temperate, ith arm inters and cool summers. In January the average daily temperature is around 4C 39F, and in July it is about 15C 59F. Annual precipitation is about 1,100 mm 42 in, spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Spring is normally the driest season. Overcast skies are the norm Average daily hours of clear skies range from less than to from November to January to around six in May and June. Northern Ireland tends to be breezy, and gales are common in spring and fall. III. PopulationPrint section The total population of Northern Ireland is 1,691,800 1999. The overall population density is 119 persons per sq km 309 persons per sq mi. The area that is no Northern Ireland as thinly ... Download