Ireland

Capital: Dublin
Area: 70,273 sq km
Comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Population (July 2011 estimate): 4,670,976
Official language(s): English and Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge)
International Organizations and Agreements: United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), European Union, NATO’s Partnership for Peace, World Trade Organization

The United States and Ireland share a common set of values and democratic practices; and many Americans have strong ancestral ties to the island. In addition to ongoing dialogue on political and economic matters, the U.S. and Irish Governments regularly engage in areas such as medical research and education.

Militarily, Ireland is and has been an important contributor to numerous international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, including UNIFIL in Lebanon, UNIMIL in Liberia, KFOR and EUFOR in the Balkans, and MINURCAT II in Chad.