Outline of the Republic of Ireland

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Ireland:

Contents

• Geography of Ireland
• Environment of Ireland
• Natural geographic features of Ireland
• Regions of Ireland
• Ecoregions of Ireland
• Administrative divisions of Ireland
• Demography of Ireland
• Government and politics of Ireland
• Executive branch of the government of Ireland
• Legislative branch of the government of Ireland
• Judicial branch of the government of Ireland
• Foreign relations of Ireland
• International organisation membership
• Law and order in Ireland
• Military of Ireland
• History of Ireland
• Culture of Ireland
• Art in Ireland
• Sports in Ireland
• Economy and infrastructure of Ireland
• Education in Ireland
• References

Ireland (Irish language: Éire) is a sovereign island nation located in Northern Europe. The modern Irish state occupies five-sixths of the island of Ireland, which was partitioned in 1921. It is bordered by Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) to the north, by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and by the Irish Sea to the east. According to the Constitution of Ireland, "Ireland" is the official English language name of the state. In 1948, the Oireachtas adopted the term "Republic of Ireland" as an English language description of the State.

Ireland is one of the richest, most developed and peaceful countries on earth, having the fifth highest gross domestic product per capita, second highest gross domestic product (purchasing power parity) per capita and having the fifth highest Human Development Index rank. The country also has the highest quality of life in the world, ranking first in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Quality-of-life index. Ireland was ranked fourth on the Global Peace Index. Ireland also has high rankings for its education system, political freedom and civil rights, press freedom and economic freedom; it was also ranked fourth from the bottom on the Failed States Index, being one of the few "sustainable" states in the world.

Ireland is a member of the EU, the OECD and the UN. Ireland's policy of neutrality means it is not a member of NATO. Ireland's population is the fastest growing in Europe, with an annual growth rate of 2.5%.

Note that many geographic and cultural articles on Ireland consider the island of Ireland as a whole, including Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Where no distinct article for the Irish state is available, this outline gives the relevant article for the entire island.