Population Distribution in the West of Ireland

Flashcards covering the physical and economic factors influencing population distribution in the West of Ireland.

Mountainous Areas

Areas in West Galway and Mayo with minimal settlement due to mountains.

Reasons for Limited Settlement in Mountains

Low temperatures, high precipitation, and limited sheep farming.

Lack of Fertile Land

Impacted settlement distribution due to lower agricultural suitability

Upland Relief

Area unsuitable for intensive or mechanised agriculture.

Two-Thirds

Proportion of people in the West of Ireland living in rural areas.

20 People per km2

Population density in some rural areas of the West of Ireland.

Fishing and Tourism

Economic activities in coastal areas leading to higher population density.

160 per km2

Population density in coastal areas like Westport, Co. Mayo.

Young People Leaving for Employment

Reason for decline in rural populations in the Western region.

Mechanisation in Agriculture

Reason for rural-urban migration.

Urban Migration

Impact on population during the 'Celtic Tiger' era.

Reduced Population in Rural Areas

Impact of rural depopulation.

Gort, Co. Galway

Town that experienced a population increase when meat processing companies opened.

Brazilian Migrants

Migrant group that increased the population of Gort, Co. Galway.

84,414

Galway City's population in the 2022 census.

Centre for Third Level Education

Reason for population increase in Galway City.

NUIG and GMIT

Universities in Galway available to students in the West of Ireland.

Boston Scientific and Medtronic

Companies located in Galway City due to low corporation tax.

Ballina and Castlebar

Additional urban centers besides Galway that increased in population.

Recession

Reason for population loss in Ballina and Castlebar.

Baxter Healthcare

Company that announced job losses during the recession.