Ulster Geography — Counties, Cities & Landmarks Knowledge Organiser

Ulster's 9 counties

1. 1 In Northern Ireland (6) Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry (Derry), Tyrone — these form Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom.
2. 2 In the Republic (3) Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan — these are Ulster counties that became part of the Irish Free State in 1922.
3. 3 Belfast (Béal Feirste) Capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. Population: approximately 340,000 city, 670,000 greater area. The Titanic was built here (Harland & Wolff shipyard).
4. 4 Derry / Londonderry Second-largest city. Has two official names — 'Londonderry' (official UK/Unionist), 'Derry' (from the Irish 'Doire' meaning oak grove, preferred by Nationalists). The city walls (built 1613–1619) are intact — the last complete walled city in Britain or Ireland.
5. 5 Lough Neagh The largest lake in the British Isles — 392 km², straddling five of NI's six counties. Important for eel fishing and tourism.
6. 6 Giant's Causeway A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Co. Antrim. Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. Steeped in mythology — said to be the work of the giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill.

• ▶ AREA: 14,130 km² (about 16% of the island of Ireland). One-third the size of the Republic.
• ▶ POPULATION: approximately 1.9 million (2021 census)
• ▶ MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE: mountain range in Co. Down. Slieve Donard (850m) is the highest peak in NI. Inspired CS Lewis's description of Narnia.
• ▶ CAUSEWAY COAST: Co. Antrim coastline — Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle. Northern Ireland's most visited natural landscape.
• ▶ BELFAST'S HISTORY: shipbuilding capital of the world in the early 20th century. The Titanic was built and launched here in 1911.
• ▶ FARMING: dairy farming dominant in the east. Beef cattle in Fermanagh. Lough Neagh eel fishing (European eels).
• ▶ TOURISM: the Game of Thrones TV series was filmed largely in NI — the Dark Hedges, Castle Ward, Cushendun Caves. Massive boost to tourism.