Where it is
Northern Ireland is part of the UK but is physically separated from mainland England, Wales and Scotland by the wild and sometimes treacherous Irish Sea. Northern Ireland has sea to the north and east, and borders the Republic of Ireland on the west and south, making it the only UK country with a European border.

Unsurprisingly these physical characteristics affect the mindset of its population, and it is not unusual to find some people who feel simultaneously a UK citizen, an Irish citizen and a European citizen. Alternatively, others shun their UK identity and embrace their Irishness,while many insist on being ‘British’ and ignore their Irish neighbours.

In a population of 1.5 million, nearly 60 per cent are under 40, making it a country with an influential youth culture.

Religion and identity
Identity tends to be polarised according to the religious divide – Protestants tend to see themselves as ‘British’ and part of the UK (except when the Irish rugby team is in action and allegiance conveniently switches!), and Catholics tend to embrace the Irish identity and an all-Ireland ethos. As with any such sweeping statement, there are many exceptions to the rule, and Northern Ireland is also home to people of other religions and cultural identities. There are a huge number of people from both the Protestant and Catholic communities who value one another as friends and fellow citizens, and for whom religion takes a back seat.

Language
Like others with the UK, people in Northern Ireland speak English (with a distinctive, hard-to-mimic accent). There also exist the lesser-used languages of Irish and Ulster Scots, and many cultural activities are associated with them.

Political devolution
Northern Ireland shares the Westminster government with the UK but has had its own devolved Assembly, currently suspended, with local control over various issues including education and the arts. The population waits for local politicians to come to agreement so that the Assembly can be reinstated as independence from Westminster is valued.

Stereotypes
Stereotypical images of Northern Ireland often centre on its troubled and violent past: bombs, shootings, brutality. Other images are more positive: building the Titanic, the Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site, the linen industry and musicians such as Van Morrison and Ash.

Language activities: read all the information about England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which can be accessed from the Living in the UK home page, and then do comparison activity (1) and comparison activity (2), which look at different icons and typical things from the four regions.