Ireland
68,700 km² · 119th largest of 193
Land borders
Nearest countries
- United Kingdom · 440 km
- Netherlands · 890 km
- Belgium · 890 km
- France · 1020 km
- Luxembourg · 1030 km
- Denmark · 1130 km
Size
Facts that mention Ireland
Which island is divided between three countries?
Borneo
Borneo is shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. It is the only island split three ways between sovereign states. Hispaniola is shared by two, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Which country has no native snakes at all?
New Zealand
New Zealand separated from other landmasses before snakes spread, and has none in the wild. Ireland and Iceland are also snake-free, though for glacial rather than tectonic reasons.
Which of these countries has no railway network at all?
Iceland
Iceland has never had a public railway. The population is small and dispersed, the terrain is volcanic and shifting, and roads plus coastal shipping have always been cheaper.
Where did the potato originate?
The Andes
Potatoes were domesticated in the Peru-Bolivia highlands thousands of years ago and reached Europe only in the 1500s. Peru still grows several thousand varieties.
Which country's most famous export beer is brewed under licence in dozens of countries?
Ireland, with Guinness
Guinness is brewed in many countries, and Nigeria has long been among the largest markets. The Nigerian version is brewed locally and is stronger than the Irish one.
Which island is shared by the most sovereign countries?
Borneo, shared by three
Borneo is split between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Land borders on islands are rare: Ireland has one, Hispaniola one, and Borneo is the only three-way split.
Test cricket is played by roughly how many national teams?
About a dozen
Twelve nations hold Test status. The map of Test cricket is almost exactly the map of the former British Empire, with Ireland and Afghanistan the most recent additions.
Which country has the longest official name?
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
At 45 characters it is among the longest in English, though Libya's official name under Gaddafi was longer still, and Thailand's Bangkok holds the place-name record.
