text:
Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois is a region of Illinois generally located immediately along and north of I-80 and outside of Chicagoland. While largely rural, it does include Rockford, the third largest city in Illinois, as well as DeKalb, home of Northern Illinois University.

Cities

 * - in the Rock River Valley and third-largest city in Illinois.
 * - home to the inventor of barbed wire and to Northern Illinois University.
 * - childhood home of US President Ronald Reagan, also known as the "Petunia City".
 * - host to the second Lincoln-Douglas debate and home of many late 19th century homes and buildings.
 * - home of Ulysses S. Grant and lots of late 19th century heritage.
 * - neighboring cities split by the Rock River.
 * - small town filled with history and home to J.L. Kraft's first cheese plant
 * - DeKalb's "twin city" located to the northeast.
 * - neighboring cities split by the Rock River.
 * - small town filled with history and home to J.L. Kraft's first cheese plant
 * - DeKalb's "twin city" located to the northeast.

Other destinations

 * - near Stockton: camping, hiking, fishing and hunting amid the limestone bluffs, ravines, springs and streams that characterize northwest Illinois.
 * - in Elizabeth: a fort hastily constructed by settlers at the onset of the 1832 Black Hawk War.
 * - near Stockton: boating, fishing, golfing; a planned vacation community with 400 acre lake.
 * - near Oregon: along the bank of the Rock River - boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting.
 * - near Scales Mound: the highest point in Illinois at, located on private property with limited accessibility.
 * - near Lena: boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting.
 * - near Oregon: a site along the Rock River with a statue of Black Hawk as the Eternal Indian - boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting.
 * - near Savanna: many caves and large cliffs along the Mississippi River along the mouth of the Apple River.
 * - near Rockford: biking, camping, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting.
 * - near Shabbona: man-made lake created by damming a tributary of the Fox River; boating, camping, fishing, hunting, hiking.
 * - near Oglesby: boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting in the Rock River Hills region.
 * - locally, north of Savanna - entire region spans along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, Minnesota, in the north to Rock Island, Illinois, in the south: a 240000 acre, 261 mi wildlife refuge.
 * - near Polo, Mount Morris and Oregon: camping, fishing, hiking, hunting in the Rock River valley.

Understand
Northern Illinois is generally considered to be the area of Illinois north of I-80 and outside of Chicagoland. Another way to consider Northern Illinois is by the 815 and 779 area codes. Definitions might slightly differ to include Kankakee and Grundy counties, which may also be considered part of Central Illinois.

Northwestern Illinois topograhpy hilly with bluffs and cliffs, a stark contrast to the majority of the "Prairie State" that is mostly flat or with slightly rolling hills and farmland. This region is home to 9 of the 10 highest points in Illinois, with 8 in Jo Daviess County alone, including the highest point in Illinois, Charles Mound at.

Culturally, the entire region is similar to many other rust belt rural areas. Residents tend to be politically conservative.

By plane

 * Chicago O'Hare International Airport east, is the nearest full-service airport and is directly connected to Rockford by Interstate 90.

 * Dane County Regional Airport north in Madison, Wisconsin, is about an hour and 20 minutes north of Rockford in Interstate 39/90 and is served by six airlines.

 * Dubuque Regional Airport] west in Dubuque, Iowa, is about a thirty minute drive from Galena.

By car
A number of different major routes run through Northern Illinois:

Interstates:

 * [[Image:I-80.svg|25px]] Interstate 80 is a cross-country east-west route running through the region, from Indiana and Chicago to the east to the Quad Cities and into Iowa.
 * [[Image:I-88.svg|25px]] Interstate 88 (portions tolled) runs east-west from Chicago west through Rochelle, Dixon, Rock Falls and on towards the Quad Cities.
 * [[Image:I-90.svg|25px]] Interstate 90 (tolled) connects Rockford and its suburbs with Chicago to the east, and with Madison and Rock County, Wisconsin, to the north. It enters the area near Belvidere and heads northwest before entering Rockford. Once in Rockford, it joins I-39 and turns north exiting at the Wisconsin border.

 * [[Image:I-39.svg|25px]] Interstate 39 (portions tolled) runs north-south through the area to Central Illinois and Bloomington-Normal to the south. In Rockford, it joins I-90 and continues north to the Wisconsin border.

US Routes:

 * [[Image:US 20.svg|25px]] US Route 20 is a major cross-country east-west route running through the region. Entering just west of Belvidere from Chicagoland, it runs due west and joins I-39 just south of Rockford. From there, it bypasses the city, runs through Freeport and Galena, and crosses the Mississippi River into Iowa at Dubuque.
 * [[Image:US 30.svg|25px]] US Route 30 is a major cross-country east-west route running across the Northern Illinois region. Entering the area just east of Kendall County, it runs straight west and connects Dixon and Sterling-Rock Falls before entering Eastern Iowa at Clinton.
 * [[Image:US 52.svg|25px]] US Route 52 enters the region from the east in the Mendota area, just north of LaSalle-Peru, then angles northwest through Dixon and Mount Carroll, then at Savanna cross the Mississippi River into Iowa.

 * [[Image:US 51.svg|25px]] US Route 51 is a major cross-country north-south route running through the region. Starting in South Beloit, running south (sometimes concurrently with I-80/I-39/US 20) through the region around Rockford, Rochelle, and LaSalle-Peru, then into Central Illinois.

Illinois Routes:

 * [[Image:Illinois 72.svg|25px]] Illinois Route 72 runs east-west and connects the middle part of the region, principally Byron.

 * [[Image:Illinois 2.svg|25px]]  Illinois Route 2, a trans region north-south route, IL 2 starts at the Wisconsin state line in South Beloit, connects Rockford and its suburbs with Oregon, Dixon and Sterling, ending in Sterling.
 * [[Image:Illinois 26.svg|25px]] Illinois Route 26 runs north-south from the Wisconsin state line south of Monroe, connecting Freeport and Dixon, continuing into Western Illinois.

Do
Companies like Kayak Starved Rock provide unique and educational guided kayak tours as well as kayak rentals to explore the towering St. Peters sandstone bluffs and Bald Eagles.

title: Northern Illinois


text:
Northern Indiana

Northern Indiana is the northern third of Indiana generally east of Lake Michigan.

Cities

 * – Small city in far Northeast Indiana. Near Pokagon State Park.
 * – Home of National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States.
 * – Indiana's 12th largest city; RV capital of the country.
 * – Indiana's 2nd largest city.
 * – Home of Goshen College
 * – Indiana's 13th largest city and twin-city of South Bend.
 * – Home of Indiana Beach, one of the biggest amusement parks in the state
 * – Small town in Northern Indiana's Amish Country.
 * – Indiana's 4th largest city. Home to the Notre Dame and Studebaker National Museum.
 * – Small town near Lake Wawasee, Indiana's largest natural lake,
 * – Small town in Northern Indiana's Amish Country.
 * – Indiana's 4th largest city. Home to the Notre Dame and Studebaker National Museum.
 * – Small town near Lake Wawasee, Indiana's largest natural lake,
 * – Small town in Northern Indiana's Amish Country.
 * – Indiana's 4th largest city. Home to the Notre Dame and Studebaker National Museum.
 * – Small town near Lake Wawasee, Indiana's largest natural lake,

Understand

Northern Indiana is the region of Indiana including 26 counties bordering parts of Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. The area is generally sub-classified into other regions. The northwest is economically and culturally intertwined with Chicago, and is considered part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The north central area is focused around South Bend, Indiana with economic connections to southwest Michigan, and is referred to as Michiana. The northeast is centered around Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The landscape is probably the flattest in the state, and is characterized physically by fairly level terrain ranging from 600 to 1,000 feet above sea level with pockets of larger, rolling hills primarily in LaPorte, Stueben, Porter, Noble County, and some certain portions of St. Joseph County. The Eastern Continental Divide goes through Northern Indiana following the top of the Valparaiso Moraine part of the way. Besides urban areas (Northwest Indiana is larger than all of Marion County) and occasional state parks and wildlife areas, much of northern Indiana is farmland.

The northwest corner of the state is part of the Chicago metropolitan area and has nearly one million residents. The region is marked with swell and swale topography as it retreats south from Lake Michigan. The ecology changes dramatically between swells, or on opposite sides of the same swell. Plants and animals adapted to marshes are generally found in the swales, while forests or even prickly pear cactus are found in the dryer swells. This area is also home to the large sand dunes at Indiana Dunes National Park which features large sand dunes (i.e. Mount Baldy ~ 126 feet) with a beach view of the Chicago skyline near Lake Michigan, and several of the wetland/marsh features described earlier toward its southern boundaries. Historic towns such as a Beverly Shores occasionally dot the lakeshore, along with the remains of the once-giant steel industry near Gary.

Northern Indiana is home to many natural lakes, the vast majority of which are the remains of the glaciers that covered Indiana thousands of years ago. North central Indiana is home to several kettle-hole lakes, many of which are thousands of years old. County Parks, state parks, and Fish & Wildlife Areas in this region contain such habitats, as well as natural meadows, old-growth pine forests, wetlands, and several opportunities to view migratory birds from around the hemisphere.

Sometimes referred to as Indiana lake country, northeastern Indiana has the largest concentration of natural lakes in the state, including Lake James in Pokagon State Park, Lake Maxinkuckee, Lake Wawasee and Lake Tippecanoe. Lake Wawasee is the largest natural lake in Indiana, while Lake Tippecanoe is the deepest, reaching depths of over 120 feet (37 m). Both lakes are located in Kosciusko County. Chain O' Lakes State Park, located in Noble County, contains 11 lakes, 8 of which are connected by natural channels.

Talk
Northern Indiana is known in television media for having the flattest accent amongst its citizens of almost anywhere in the country. Newscasters from various US cities, in some cases, have been instructed to watch news broadcasts from South Bend or Chicago in order to try and rid them of their local dialect. As such, it is typically not difficult to understand anyone's speech from Northern Indiana who is a native to the area, though once south of US 30, one may notice a considerable difference as the North Midland accent begins to develop and continues to southern portions of the state.

Many local words are derived from Chicago slang, such as a cigarette being called a "square."

By car
The main roads are east-wests I-90/80, which runs from Illinois to Ohio through South Bend and Elkhart, and I-69, which runs up from Indianapolis to Michigan through Fort Wayne. Both are very convenient traveling roads throughout the region, with high 70mph speed limits, and relatively light traffic. US 31, going north-south from Kentucky to Michigan, is roughly right up the center of the region.

By bus

 * Coach USA Offers shuttle service between South Bend Regional Airport, Notre Dame, Mishawaka and Chicago airports.
 * Greyhound Offers service to and from destinations around the country via Indianapolis and Chicago.
 * Several other bus lines pass through portions of Northwest Indiana on a daily basis.

By plane

 * Fort Wayne International Airport  with schedule flights from a number if US cities
 * South Bend Regional Airport with schedule flights from a number if US cities
 * Elkhart Municipal Airport for private aircraft

By train
The South Shore line runs straight to South Bend through Northwestern Indiana from downtown Chicago.

Get around
It's by far easiest to travel through the region by car. The aforementioned highways are the main routes, although US Hwy 33 is a very convenient way to get between Elkhart and Fort Wayne.

See
Northern Indiana is very rural, and is worth exploring, if only to see the natural beauty of the state. Many lakes and small waterways contribute greatly to the natural beauty of the region.

Black Pine Animal Park in Albion near Syracuse is an animal sanctuary that takes in rescued and retired animals. Their tours offer a chance for you to touch, experience, and observe these animals up close and personal. Big cats, primates, bears, camels, birds, snakes and more.

The Gene Stratton-Porter Cabin State Historic Site in Rome City near Auburn honors one of Indiana's most famous authors, she wrote such works as Freckles and A Girl of Limberlost. She was also one of the world's first and best nature photographers.

There are quite a few museums, many of them historical, in the region. Among these are the Fulton County Museum (dedicated to the history of northern Indiana, especially Fulton County), the Auburn Cord Dusenberg Museum (one of the biggest car museums in America), and the IUSB Art Gallery.

Eat
There's a wide variety of food to choose from, ranging from the (Rochester) Streamliner's breaded tenderloin that was ranked one of the best in the state to the South Bend Chocolate Company's chocolate-covered anything (even spoons!) to the national chains like Pizza Hut and Subway.

Stay safe
While rural northern Indiana is among the safest places to live and travel (in fact, many residents leave their cars unlocked without a worry), basic precautions are advised, especially in population centers like South Bend and Fort Wayne.

The weather can be quite extreme, but the threats from this are usually minor. Tornadoes, blizzards, and flooding are the more common serious issues, but they're generally few and far between. The locals actually have a saying about how changeable the weather is: "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes". While this is obviously an exaggeration, it really feels like it's true sometimes.

Go next

 * Northwest Indiana: Many of the steel mills of the industrial revolution that made Gary and the surrounding area so powerful still stand today.
 * Chicago: The third-largest city in the United States is just on the other side of northwest Indiana.
 * Central Indiana: Many locations that are popular both with locals and international travelers are located in central Indiana, including Purdue University, Turkey Run State Park, and the birthplace of the Wright brothers.
 * Northwest Ohio: A section of Ohio that houses, among other places, Cedar Point, Toledo and Lima.
 * Southeast Michigan and West Michigan: Home to Detroit most famously, but also Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Northern Indiana


text:
Northern Interior (Uruguay)

The Northern Interior of Uruguay is a land of ranchers, cattle, and horses. Between the streams, hills, and hot springs of the sparsely populated departments of Artigas, Paysandú, Rivera, Salto, and Tacuarembó, life can feel a world away from Montevideo.

Cities

 * – see the remains of 19th-century mines
 * - citrus growing town just across the Rio Uruguay from Concordia in Argentina.
 * - an important centre of gaucho culture
 * - citrus growing town just across the Rio Uruguay from Concordia in Argentina.
 * - an important centre of gaucho culture
 * - citrus growing town just across the Rio Uruguay from Concordia in Argentina.
 * - an important centre of gaucho culture
 * - an important centre of gaucho culture

Other destinations

 * (Rivera) - a national park
 * (Paysandu) - a reserve in process of becoming a national park
 * Palmeras (Paysandu) - Paysandu in particular is abundant with local palms (Yatay Palm). On the Argentinian side of the border they are protected in the national park El Palmar.
 * (Paysandu) - Where the last Charruas were subdued in the 19th century. Now a popular bath resort. There is a monument commemorating the Charrua victims at Salsipuedes. The remains of the Tapera de Melchora Cuenca, Artigas' (the Uruguayan commander) indigenous wife.

Understand
This is gaucho (South American cowboy) territory. Don't be surprised to see men in distinctive, old-fashioned clothes riding horses down city streets or beside the highway. Outside of the downtown areas of major cities, you'll see cows and horses grazing almost anywhere you go.

By bus
Regular buses are available from other parts of Uruguay, and there is also a bus to Salto from Concordia, Argentina. You can also take a bus to Santana do Livramento or Quaraí in Brazil and then walk across the border.

By car
Uruguay has a good internal highway system that connects this region to southern Uruguay. You can also drive across the border from Brazil to Rivera, Artigas, or Bella Unión; or from Argentina to Paysandú or Salto.

Even though you can see the Argentinian city of Monte Caseros from Bella Unión, there's no bridge between the two cities, so drivers would have to go around and cross at Uruguaiana or Salto instead.

By boat
Well, on weekdays there are boats between Monte Caseros and Bella Unión, but other than that you're pretty much going to be driving or riding a bus.

By bus
This region is relatively sparsely populated and bus service may be infrequent. Some cities are connected by frequent buses on their way to or from Montevideo—for instance, you should have no trouble getting from Salto to Paysandú or from Tacuarembó to Rivera. But in other cases you might have to transfer or wait for a bus that only runs a couple times a week.

Do

 * Bathe in hot springs in Paysandú and Salto.
 * Visit Quebrada de los Cuervos, a natural reserve in the Treinta y Tres Department. Especially interesting for birdwatching.

Buy
Cities on the Brazilian border have duty-free shops catering to visitors from across the border. The biggest selection seems to be in Rivera, and across the border in Santana do Livramento there are a bunch of cheap Brazilian shops too.

Go next

 * Central Interior – something of a transitional area, still largely agricultural but not so far from Montevideo and the coast
 * Mesopotamia, Argentina – home to the ruins of Jesuit missions and the famous Iguazú Falls
 * Rio de la Plata – starting with the historic port town of Fray Bentos (not far from Paysandú)
 * Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil – more gaucho culture, mixed with a variety of other influences

title: Northern Interior (Uruguay)


text:
Northern Ireland

 Northern Ireland (Irish: Tuaisceart na hÉireann, Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is part of the island of Ireland and one of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom.

Northern Ireland has the Giant's Causeway (a world heritage site), stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and welcoming locals interested in your own stories. The hit television series Game of Thrones was produced in Northern Ireland, which is also home to many of its filming locations.

Discover Northern Ireland is the tourist bureau.

Counties
These counties are no longer units of government in Northern Ireland, but continue to have strong local identities and to cohere as travel destinations. They're regularly abbreviated as "Co." for instance "Co. Down" is County Down.

Cities and towns

 * is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, with the major transport hubs and the best visitor facilities. West Belfast was torn by over 30 years of paramilitary and British Military conflict, which its sights reflect. The university area is cosmopolitan and houses a good regional museum. The docks have been revitalised by the Titanic Quarter, which houses a good museum about the Titanic. Dramatic views can be had from Divis and Black Mountain.
 * was the seat of Ireland's linen industry, depicted in its museum.
 * is a large coastal town, was a seaside resort. Good base for the Ards Peninsula, home to the island's largest marina and good shopping.
 * is the ecclesiastic capital of Ireland, for both the (Anglican) Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church. Nearby Navan Fort is one of the most important ancient sites in Ireland. Home to many myths and legends.
 * on the River Bann in County Londonderry, 5 km from the sea, it has an impressive history dating back to Ireland’s earliest known settlers. Coleraine today is a major gateway to the popular Causeway Coast area. Coleraine is a good shopping town and also has a major performance theatre at the University of Ulster in the town.
 * (Doire Cholmcille, "the Maiden City"), gateway to Donegal. Vibrant cultural life, intact city walls and the city where the Troubles started.
 * is the picturesque main town of County Fermanagh, perfect for exploring the lakes around Lough Erne.
 * is a town that is a popular destination for shopping. Nearby is Slieve Gullion, the beautiful Mourne mountains and the attractive villages of Rostrevor and Warrenpoint. They somehow mislaid their entire castle in the back-end of a bakery.
 * home to the very good Ulster American Folk Park, an outdoor museum of the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Other destinations

 * in County Antrim has remarkable scenery, with the cascade of basalt columns at Giant's Causeway, the windswept bridge of Carrick-a-Rede, the Antrim glens, Dark Hedges, and wacky Gobbins. Bushmills is a venerable whiskey distillery, and there are crumbling castles, long sandy beaches and championship golf courses.
 * is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island, reached by a short ferry ride.
 * are criss-crossed by tracks past woodland up to the peaks: Slieve Donard at 852 m / 2796 ft is the highest in Northern Ireland.
 * at 51 square miles (392 km²) is the largest lake in Ireland and Britain, bordered by five of the six counties of Northern Ireland. It's popular for fishing and bird-watching.

History
Northern Ireland was created in 1921 when Ireland was partitioned by the Treaty that ended the Anglo-Irish war. Most of the island became what was initially called Southern Ireland then the Irish Free State and is now the independent Republic of Ireland or Eire. But six of the nine historic counties of Ulster remained within the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland, with the other three joining the south, and the plate tectonics of this rift are still in motion. "Ulster" is thus a geographical and cultural term, and doesn't refer to the political entity of Northern Ireland. Lots of outsiders do conflate the two, but doing so in nationalist company... well, if you're lucky, you'll just be thrown out of the pub. If you're unlucky, you'll be required to stay and listen to a history lesson that begins in the 12th century.

In the souvenir tea-towel version of Irish history, there were four provinces, Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster, with a High King presiding over all. In reality in the early medieval period there were about a dozen kingdoms, forever warring and recognising no overlords. The northwest was O'Neill territory, while the northeast (now Antrim) was Ulaid hence "Ulster". From the 12th century the Normans settled in southeast Ireland but never got this far. Right up to the 17th century, Gaelic nobles ruled over Donegal, Derry and Tyrone. Then the English Tudors subdued this last redoubt and began to re-shape Ulster to their liking.

They did this by "plantations" - colonisation by settlers from Great Britain, with new towns laid out and industries such as linen, and modern methods of agriculture that needed fewer hands and displaced people from the land. This had long gone on the south, the difference with the Ulster plantations was that Great Britain was now predominantly Protestant, and especially the Scottish incomers. Rural Ireland was Roman Catholic, a religion ghettoised by the Penal Laws, so sectarian tensions were added to grievances over landholding, wealth and economic opportunity. Incomers and industry were strongest in the east, so Belfast grew into a metal-bashing second Glasgow, while the rural west was little developed and impoverished even before the famine years. A cultural crack developed across Ulster, especially visible in the city that one faction called Derry and the other Londonderry.

The 19th century campaign for Irish independence escalated into "The Troubles", which by 1920 entailed guerrilla warfare by the nationalists and savage reprisals by the British. This was resolved by the Treaty, which gave Ireland a grudging partial independence, but at the price of partition. "No surrender!" - no way would the Unionists of the north consent to be ruled from Dublin, which they feared would impose a priest-ridden, backward and anti-Protestant regime. So six counties remained in the UK, while the other three Ulster counties - Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal - joined the south, as they were Catholic and nationalist to a degree that no amount of gerrymandering could overcome.

Nationalist resentment festered but the late 20th century "Troubles" were stoked by economic downturn and blatant discrimination in Northern Ireland, and the new dynamic of civil rights. Police and army deployed "to separate warring communities" were clearly acting for only one side, and became targets for violence themselves. The flashpoint was on "Bloody Sunday" in Derry in 1972, when the army opened fire on an unarmed demonstration, killing 14. British rule lost its legitimacy, the republican or nationalist cause was strengthened, and both communities waged para-military or terrorist campaigns as there was nothing to be gained from conventional politics. The death toll during these years is reckoned at 3532: roughly 1840 civilians, 1050 police and soldiers, 370 Republican paramilitaries and 160 Loyalist paramilitaries. Perhaps 47,500 were injured.

A series of short-lived political processes and peace accords came and went with no break in the violence; Belfast and Derry were scarred, with smoke rising, police patrolling in armoured cars, and army helicopters throp-thropping low. The "Good Friday Agreement" of 1998 also looked doomed when it was followed by the terrible Omagh bombing - yet after 20 years, this one has stuck. Violence dwindled, business and normal life returned, and Northern Ireland was able to re-launch itself as a tourist destination. Traffic nowadays criss-crosses from the Republic signalled only by a switch in road signs between km and miles per hour on the speed limits.

The GFA has held up for much the same reasons as the post-war French-German pact, which grew into the European Union - and that parallel is the present concern. "Don't mention the border", put both sides in each other's pockets, share power and let bygones be bygones, was the deal. But Brexit means that the Republic is now in the EU while Northern Ireland has left it - what the hell happens now? Nevertheless, the Brexit agreement has preserved the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and British and Irish citizens continue to have right of abode in each other's countries.

People
Most people visiting have heard of the varying allegiances of Northern Ireland's people. However, the people of Northern Ireland are friendly and warm towards visitors. You get the feeling that the people know the allegiances of each other, but it can be hard for visitors to ascertain.

Citizens can self-identify as Irish or British solely or Northern Irish. Similar divides exist in referring to places, for example the small city in the north west of the region on the banks of the River Foyle is Derry to Nationalists, while to Unionists it is Londonderry. Although Northern Irish people are British citizens from birth, they have the right to claim Irish citizenship and so may have an Irish passport in addition to or instead of a British passport.

Politics
Northern Ireland has its own devolved legislature separate from Westminster, officially known as the Northern Ireland Assembly, but often referred to by the metonym Stormont after the estate in Belfast where its seat is located. There have traditionally been two major parties in Northern Ireland politics: the Nationalist Sinn Féin, whose policy platform is generally left-wing, and the Unionist Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), whose policy platform is generally more right-wing. Another major party is the Alliance party, which is centrist. Some matters, such as foreign affairs and defence, continue to be under the purview of Westminster.

Climate
Like the rest of Ireland and Britain, the weather here is dominated by weather systems coming in from the Atlantic, this makes for wet and windy weather. In the west, annual rainfall is 2000mm and on the east coast it is 850mm. The sun does shine too, on the Co Down coast the annual average total of sunshine is 1450 hours. The best advice is to pack wet weather gear and footwear (unless you are content to stay indoors when those are needed) and to look regularly at weather forecasts, Met Office is a good one.

Talk
English is the official language, spoken and understood everywhere, though the rapid Ulster accent may be a struggle to follow. There are many dialect words the same as Scots, such as "aye" for yes and "wee" for small. "Crack" meaning news, gossip and merriment was likewise Scots but has taken on its Irish spelling "craic". The tell-tale word is "youse" for plural you, a feature that is common throughout the island: this is otherwise only heard in Glasgow, parts of Northern England and other communities with historic links to the island of Ireland.

Irish or Gaeilge in both its standard and Ulster dialects (Canuint Uladh) is enjoying a revival, but is still much rarer than in the Republic. It's a Q-Celtic language akin to Scottish and Manx Gaelic, only distantly related to English, and in 2011 6% spoke it but only 0.2% used it as their everyday tongue. For a century it was shunned in the north: an Irish-speaker was either a poor Catholic potato-digger who'd failed to take the hint and push off to Liverpool, or the sort of quarrelsome (equals terrorist-suspect) nationalist who insists that Londonderry is called Derry. Irish is still only taught in Catholic schools and there are few avenues for adult learning, but it's increasingly used on signage and for official purposes, broadcast on BBC, and belatedly valued as part of Northern Ireland's culture.

Ulster Scots is an oddity - 1% spoke it according to the 2011 Census. Like Scottish Lallans it's on the cusp between being a dialect of English, a separate language, and an academic metro invention. The UK government has made unctuous pronouncements about its cultural relevance, which may be the kiss of death for its street cred, and it shares the problem of many "traditional" languages that have 27 different words for sheep-worming but need to borrow or invent words for cars, TVs and the internet. When written (which historically it wasn't) it looks like the signage at Schiphol Airport re-imagined by Hugh MacDiarmid. It seems likely to die out with the present generation.

Foreign languages are spoken by that nice couple from Hanover you sat by in the restaurant, and that student from Paris you met at the museum: they all seemed fluent in the foreign language of English. In Northern Ireland as in Great Britain, the older generation never learned (or saw the point of learning) other languages. However, the younger generations are slowly starting to see the necessity of knowing foreign languages. French has historically been quite popular among secondary students, but Spanish and German have seen a rise in popularity as well.

Immigration, visa, and customs requirements
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so it has exactly the same entry requirements as England, Scotland and Wales.

 * Citizens of the UK and Crown Dependencies can travel to Northern Ireland without a passport and have the automatic right to reside, work and take up benefits.
 * Citizens of Ireland have the same entitlement as UK citizens.
 * Citizens of other European Union countries do not require a visa for short visits (e.g. holiday, family visits, business meetings) but do require a visa for work or study in the UK. See Brexit for details.
 * Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have (and will probably continue to have) the same rules as for the EU.
 * Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States and Uruguay do not require a visa for visits of less than 6 months.
 * Most other countries will require a visa, which can be obtained from the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
 * There is no passport control or border check between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. However visitors must carry any relevant documents that permit them entry to the UK, such as a passport or identity card and visa.
 * The UK has a Working Holidaymaker Scheme for citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations and British dependent territories. This allows residency in the UK for up to 2 years, with limited working rights.
 * There are restrictions in terms of goods one can bring from elsewhere in the UK to Northern Ireland and vice versa. Importing certain goods may incur tariffs.  See the Brexit article and UK government website for more information.

For more information on these requirements, see the UK government's website.

By plane
Almost all direct flights to Northern Ireland are from UK, Western Europe and the Mediterranean. There are no flights from the Republic of Ireland, as the distances are too short.

George Best Belfast City Airport is 2 miles east of Belfast city centre, with flights mainly from the UK. British Airways flies from London Heathrow, KLM from Amsterdam, and as of late 2023 Lufthansa from Frankfurt. All three destinations offer excellent global connections. There's a frequent bus to the city, or you can take the free shuttle bus to Sydenham railway station, see Belfast for details.

Belfast International Airport, also known as Aldergrove, is 20 miles west of Belfast. This has several UK connections and is the main airport for flights from Europe, mostly by EasyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair. There's a bus to Belfast city centre, and another between Lisburn and Antrim for transport elsewhere in Northern Ireland; see Belfast.

City of Derry Airport has Ryanair flights from Liverpool and Edinburgh, and seasonally the Med. The airport is at Eglinton five miles east of Derry, with a bus to town.

Dublin Airport is a good option for flights beyond Europe, eg the USA, and via the Gulf states. It's north of Dublin city on the main road north, with hourly buses to Newry and Belfast.

By train
From Dublin Connolly station the Enterprise Train runs eight times M-Sa and five on Sunday via Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry and Portadown to Belfast Lanyon Place. It doesn't serve Great Victoria Street station which is next to the Europa main bus station.

Other trains stop at several Belfast stations:

From Derry and Portrush hourly via Coleraine, Ballymena and Antrim (for Belfast International Airport) to Lanyon Place and Great Victoria Street.

From Portadown every 30 min via Lisburn and a dozen city stations, Sydenham (for Belfast City Airport) and Bangor.

From Larne hourly via Carrickfergus to Lanyon Place and Great Victoria Street.

By bus
Buses run hourly from Dublin city and airport to Belfast Europa station, taking 2 hr 20 min. There are competing operators, which holds the price down at €20 adult single and €30 return. Cross-border buses also run from Cavan and Monaghan to Armagh, Belfast and Coleraine, and from Letterkenny to Derry. Day-trip excursions from Dublin also visit Belfast.

Citylink / Ulsterbus 923 runs 2-3 times a day from Edinburgh via Glasgow, Ayr and the Cairnryan ferry to Belfast

National Express normally runs daily from London Victoria and Manchester via Cairnryan, but as of Oct 2021 this remain suspended, and they send you to Glasgow to join the Citylink - it might be easier to travel via Dublin.

By car
The M1 / N1 / A1 links Dublin to Belfast and there are multiple other crossing points from the Republic. There are no checks, and all you see at the border is a reminder northbound that speed limits are in miles per hour. Southbound you're offered a choice of speed limits in km/h or teorainneacha luais ciliméadair san uair. It's up to you to check that you're eligible to enter the UK (see above), that you have any necessary travel documents with you, and that your car insurance or rental agreement is valid for Northern Ireland - this should be automatic on any rental from the Republic.

By boat
Foot passengers should always look for through-tickets by bus / train and ferry, as these are considerably cheaper than separate tickets.
 * From Cairnryan near Stranraer in Scotland, Stena Line sail to Belfast five times a day, 2 hr 15 min.
 * Also from Cairnryan, P & O Ferries sail to Larne six times a day, 2 hr.
 * From Birkenhead near Liverpool, Stena Line sail daily to Belfast, 8 hr.
 * From the Isle of Man, IOM Steam Packet ferries sail to Belfast 4 days a week, taking just under 3 hr.
 * Ferries sail to Dublin from Birkenhead, Holyhead (this is the quickest route from England), Isle of Man and the Continent. Dublin port is connected by tunnel to the motorway north, so motorists dodge the city centre traffic and reach Northern Ireland within 3 hours.
 * From Campbeltown in Scotland a foot-passenger ferry sails April-Sept to Ballycastle then onward to Islay, returning in the afternoon. It's scheduled for day excursions but you can take a one-way trip. It didn't sail in 2021 and the 2022 schedule is TBA.
 * From Greenore east of Dundalk in the Republic, a ferry crosses the opening of Carlingford Lough to Greencastle in County Down. It carries vehicles but only sails in summer, see Newry for details.
 * From Greencastle in County Donegal, a ferry crosses the outlet of Lough Foyle to MacGilligans Point north of Derry. It likewise carries vehicles but only sails in summer, see County Londonderry.

Inland waterways are navigable all the way from Dublin and the Shannon up to Enniskillen and the Erne lakes, though you're not allowed to sail a hired boat that far. The other canals have been lost, though work is under way to rebuild the Ulster Canal around Monaghan.

By car
You don't need a car within Belfast or Derry, but will greatly benefit further out, such as along the Antrim glens.

Many visitors bring their own car by ferry. Car hire is best arranged at the airports, as there is little availability in the cities, even in Belfast. Check whether you're also covered to drive in the Republic - this should be automatic on rentals, and vice versa for the north if you fly into Dublin and rent from there. Cross-border motoring is easy (and the obvious way to explore Donegal), but one-way rentals such as Belfast-Dublin incur stiff drop-off charges.

Motorway or equivalent fast dual carriageways have no tolls and fan out from Belfast to Newry and Dublin, Dungannon (for Omagh), Magherafelt (for Derry), Ballymena (for Antrim coast) and Larne (for glens). Their default speed limit is 70 miles per hour (112 km/h). Other main roads are usually 60 mph (96 km/h) out of town and 30 mph (48 km/h) in built-up areas. Road signage is identical to Great Britain's. The B-roads and back lanes are often narrow and twisty, with limited places to safely overtake, and sometimes little room for oncoming traffic to pass. . . and at this point you get a fright as some mad fellow blazes past with his hair on fire. Tradesmen's white vans drive at 18 or 80 mph and nothing in between. The worst speed bandits are the motorcyclists: Northern Ireland has a tradition of on-road motorbike circuits, which are risky enough under regulated sporting conditions, let alone when some boy racer with more throttle than skill decides to show off.

Newly qualified drivers in Northern Ireland must display "R" plates (for "restricted") for one year from gaining their licence. As with "L" plate learner drivers, they're limited to 45 mph (72 km/h) on all roads, to the exasperation of other motorists.

The days of tedious security checkpoints are gone, hopefully for good, but these still occur. The police are mostly looking for known local players and for EU smuggling (eg of fuel) and aren't much interested in tourists unless reeking of alcohol. The sooner you show your documents or whatever, the sooner they can send you on your way.

By bus and train
See also Rail travel in Ireland

Much of the public transport in Northern Ireland is under the umbrella of Translink. They offer a useful travel card called iLink, which gives you unlimited bus and train travel within specified zones for a day, week, or month. The card can be topped up if you decide to extend your trip.

For those places that happen to be linked by rail, that's usually the best option. Fares are inexpensive: a standard return from Belfast to Derry was £19 in 2021, and an off-peak day-trip was £17.33. Off-peak means after 09:30, giving you several hours to explore.

Buses fan out to all the main towns, and are frequent along the Causeway Coast of Antrim, and to Bangor and the upper Ards peninsula. They're infrequent further out, and the sights of interest may be some miles out from the town: you need your own wheels for Mourne Mountains, Strangford Lough, the Antrim Glens, the Londonderry Sperrins and coast, Tyrone or the Erne lakes.

By bicycle
If you are considering touring in Northern Ireland, it's worth considering buying the maps and guides produced by Sustrans to accompany the national routes they have helped develop. The routes can be found on Open Cycle Map, but Sustrans' guides are helpful for nearby places to stay or visit.

See

 * Giant's Causeway is a, a dramatic cascade of basalt columns as the Antrim plateau reaches the sea.
 * Carrick-a-Rede Bridge near Ballycastle was woven by fisherfolk to gain access to an islet with good salmon fishing. It's nowadays steel hawser not rope, but just as draughty across the chasm.
 * Ulster American Folk Park is an open-air museum near Omagh in County Tyrone, depicting the story of emigration from Ulster to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. There is an Old World section, the voyage itself, then emigrant life in the New World.
 * Londonderry is a fascinating walled city and redoubt.
 * Castles and mansions: Hillsborough and Newtownards have fine examples.
 * Marble Arch Caves are part of the Global Geopark in the limestone terrain of Belcoo in County Fermanagh.
 * Political murals are common in the "interface areas" where Protestant and Catholic neighbourhoods adjoin, so west Belfast and Derry have plenty. They're painted on gable walls of buildings and proclaim local allegiances. They come and go with political events - in 2014 one notable series in Strabane expressed solidarity with Palestine - so ask around if there are any examples worth tracking down.

Do

 * Rugby union unites all the communities and is played on an all-Ireland basis, with players from Northern Ireland and the Republic turning out for the Irish national team. (Home internationals such as the Six Nations are staged in Dublin.) Ulster Rugby are the local professional team likewise drawn from Northern Ireland and from the three RoI counties of Ulster. They play in the United Rugby Championship (formerly known as Pro-14), the predominantly Celtic league, with their home ground at Ravenhill (sponsored as Kingspan Stadium) in Belfast.
 * Football - soccer - is less developed, and the quality of the domestic league is low as nearly all the top Northern Irish footballers play for English clubs. Northern Ireland has its own national team, which has seen limited success - like other middle-order nations, it hopes to benefit from the enlarged format of tournaments such the UEFA Euro finals. The top club competition is the NIFL or Danske Bank Premiership of 12 teams. Linfield FC often win it - they and the national team play at Windsor Park in Belfast. Derry City is the only Northern Ireland club to play in the Republic's League of Ireland, where the playing season is April-Oct.
 * Gaelic athletic games. Gaelic Football is played in Irish communities, from parish teams to county teams. County teams that win the Ulster championship get to play in the All Ireland championship. The ancient game of hurling and the female equivalent camogie are also play.
 * Golf: lots and lots of courses. The championship course is Royal Portrush, hosting the Open in 2019 and next doing so in 2025.
 * Motorbike racing was a big thing in Northern Ireland in the heyday of Joey Dunlop (1952-2000), but a series of tragedies has driven audiences and sponsorship away. The NorthWest 200 and Armoy Road Races are still held near Ballymoney in summer but the Dundrod and Clady races have folded.
 * Learn Irish: the language is making a comeback. An Chultúrlann in west Belfast holds regular classes for all levels of ability and has Irish books and other learning materials.
 * Orange Order Parades are a piece of living history, quintessential Northern Ireland. They wear their full-fig regalia and Carsonite bowler hats and strut down the street to the shrill of fife and tuck of drum. They are of course contentious: they symbolise Protestant and unionist dominance in the north, the lyrics of their tunes are anything but inclusive, and they have drawn (and gone looking for) trouble. However they're now regulated by the Parades Commission, which vets their route and won't let them march through neighbourhoods where they'd cause offence. The marching bands nowadays equivocate about their Protestant / Unionist roots, and bandy the word "community" a lot. The summer marching season culminates on the 12th of July, a public holiday commemorating the 1690 Battle of the Boyne which cemented Protestant hegemony in Ireland for the next 200 years - and for 300 in Northern Ireland. (When the 12th is a Sunday, the marches and holiday are on Monday 13th - this next occurs in 2026.) All the main towns have parades, and Belfast's is huge. Morning parades are peaceful because everyone's sober and knows their mothers are watching. Afternoon parades are like football crowds after a day in the pub, there may be alcohol-fuelled disorder; just use your common sense to swerve clear. For the full schedule of parades see the Commission website: they regulate all such events not just the Orange Order, even antique tractor rallies.

Buy

 * Money: the only official currency of Northern Ireland is the pound sterling (£). Bank of England notes are legal tender and universally accepted (beware that the "Adam Smith" English £20 ceased to be valid in 2022). The Northern Irish banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland, Danske Bank, and Ulster Bank) print their own notes, in common use here but often not accept Great Britain and internationally, so go to a bank and exchange them for Bank of England notes before leaving; any bank in the UK is required to exchange them for free. The euro (€) is accepted in border areas, with a poor exchange rate — save your euro for the Republic of Ireland and change your euro into pounds. Debit cards and credit cards from Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
 * Cross-border shopping is occasionally a feature when the £ / € rate or tax difference (e.g. on fuel) becomes marked. In the early 21st century differences have been small, tending to draw shoppers in from the Republic rather than have Ulsterfolk sally out to Dundalk or Letterkenny. If you plan a cross-border trip, check ahead in case a bargain has emerged.

Eat
A popular dish is an assortment of fried food, called the "Ulster Fry". It consists of eggs, bacon, tomatoes, sausages, potato bread and soda bread. Some versions include mushrooms or baked beans. Fries are generally prepared as the name suggests, everything is fried in a pan. Traditionally lard was used, but due to health concerns, it has been replaced with oils such as rapeseed and olive. Historically, it was popular with the working class.

Northern Ireland is known for its distinctive breads including soda bread, potato farls and Veda bread.

Some shops on the north coast close to Ballycastle sell a local delicacy called dulse. This is a certain type of seaweed, usually collected, washed and sun-dried from the middle of summer through to the middle of autumn. Additionally, in August, the lamas fair is held in Ballycastle, and a traditional sweet, called "yellow man" is sold in huge quantities. As you can tell from the name, it's yellow in colour, it's also very sweet, and can get quite sticky. If you can, try to sample some yellow man, just make sure you have use of a toothbrush shortly after eating it... it'll rot your teeth!

The cuisine in Northern Ireland is similar to that in the United Kingdom and Ireland as a whole, with dishes such as fish and chips a popular fast food choice. Local dishes such as various types of stew and potato-based foods are also very popular. 'Champ' is a local speciality consisting of creamed potatoes mixed with scallions and colcannon is similar with cabbage.

As in the rest of the UK, most towns will have at least one Italian, Indian or Chinese restaurant. With the advent of the peace process, the improvements in economic conditions for many people in Northern Ireland, there has been a great increase in the number of good restaurants, especially in the larger towns such as Belfast and Derry. Indeed it would be difficult for a visitor to either of those cities not to find a fine-dining establishment to suit their tastes, and wallet.

There is a strong emphasis on local produce. Locally produced meats, cheeses and drinks can be found in any supermarket. For the real Northern Irish experience, sample Tayto brand cheese and onion flavoured crisps: these are nothing short of being a local icon and are available everywhere.

Drink
The legal drinking age in Northern Ireland is 18. Those of 16-17 may be served beer and wine with meals if accompanied by a sober adult. Pubs are normally open Su-Th until 23:00 and F Sa to 01:00, but in 2020 and 2021 they've had curtailed hours.
 * Bushmills Whiskey is made in that Antrim north coast town. The distillery tours are very much on the tourist circuit as it's close to Giant's Causeway.
 * Guinness: it's a Marmite thing, you either like the burnt flavour or you don't, and there's no shame in not liking it. It's just as popular in Northern Ireland as in the Republic, and the Guinness family were famously Protestant. But Guinness established such commercial dominance that other breweries struggled, and it was easier to find continental beers in Northern Ireland than anything brewed locally. Micro- and craft breweries are now appearing - they're described for individual towns so try their products, but few offer tours. One that does is Hilden in Lisburn.
 * Belfast Distillery is nowadays just a retail park, recalled in several street names. There are plans to convert cells within the former Crumlin Road jail into a whiskey distillery, but in 2021 the only spirits you might encounter are the unquiet dead on the jail's "paranormal tours".
 * Belfast Artisan Distillery makes gin several miles north at Newtownabbey, no tours.
 * Echlinville Distillery in Kircubbin south of Newtownards produce whiskey, which first came to market in 2016; no tours.
 * Niche Drinks in Derry produce a blended whiskey, but their main line is cream liqueurs, Irish coffee and the like; no tours.

Stay safe
Northern Ireland changed greatly with the advent of the 1998 peace agreement, though its troubles have not entirely ceased. There remains a high frequency of terrorist incidents in Northern Ireland, with the UK Home Office defining the current threat level as 'severe'. Tourists, however, are not the target of such terrorist incidents and therefore are highly unlikely to be affected. Civil unrest is more likely during the contentious 'marching season' in summer. The U.S. State Department advises visitors to Northern Ireland to remain 'alert' during their visit and to keep themselves abreast of political developments.

Most visits to Northern Ireland, however, are trouble-free, and visitors are unlikely to visit areas at risk of violence. Northern Ireland has a significantly lower crime rate than the rest of the UK. Pickpockets and violent crime are rare so you can generally walk around the main streets of Belfast or any other city or town without fear during the day.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (formerly the Royal Ulster Constabulary or RUC) is the police force in Northern Ireland. Unlike the Garda Síochána in the Republic, the PSNI are routinely armed with handguns and/or long arms. The police still use heavily-armoured Land Rover vehicles; do not be concerned by this, as it doesn't mean that trouble is about to break out. There is a visible police presence in Belfast and Derry, and the police are approachable and helpful. Almost all police stations in Northern Ireland are reinforced with fencing or high, blast-proof walls. It is important to remember that there is still a necessity for this type of protection and that it is a visible reminder of the province's past.

As with most places, avoid being alone at night in urban areas. In addition, avoid wearing clothes that could identify you, correctly or not, as being from one community or the other, for example Celtic or Rangers football kits. If in doubt, do not express political viewpoints - it would be even better to act as if you either don't know about the conflict or don't care. Avoid political gatherings where possible. Many pubs have a largely cultural and political atmosphere (such as on the Falls Road, the mostly Nationalist main road in West Belfast, and the Newtownards Roads in predominantly Unionist East Belfast).

On the days around 12 July, the Orange Parades can lead to road closures and some shops may close for the day or for a few hours. The parades have been known to get a bit rowdy in certain areas but have vastly improved. Additionally, the last Saturday in August is known as "Black Saturday" which is the end of the marching season. Trouble can break out without warning, though locals or Police officers will be more than happy to advise visitors on where to avoid. The Twelfth Festival in Belfast is being re-branded as a tourist-friendly family experience and efforts are being made to enforce no-alcohol rules aimed at reducing trouble.

Stay healthy
There are no COVID-related restrictions in place in Northern Ireland; however, the government recommends the wearing of a mask in indoor public places, such as shops, cafes, pubs and venues, and in health and social care settings like hospitals and care homes.

For the most up-to-date information:
 * Northern Ireland Government coronavirus portal
 * Health and Social Care (HSC) Board
 * Public Health Agency

Connect
To dial Northern Ireland from outside the UK or Republic (or from a "foreign" phone whilst there), dial +44 28.

From Great Britain dial the area code 028, with no country code. From within Northern Ireland, just dial the number with no country or area code.

From the Republic, dial the area code 048, with no country code; +44 28 also works but is charged at international rates. There isn't a reciprocal arrangement, so to call the Republic from Belfast it's +353 then the area code (such as 1 for Dublin) same as if you called from Belgrade.

International phone cards are widely available in large towns and cities within Northern Ireland, and phone boxes accept payment in GBP£ and Euro. You can also buy a cheap pay as you go phone from any of the phone networks.

Northern Ireland has the same mobile networks as Great Britain: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. The towns and main highways have coverage from all of them, often with 4G, but the signal is patchy out in the country lanes. O2 has somewhat wider coverage than the others; see individual pages for details. As of Oct 2021, there's 5G in Belfast but not beyond. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Using a Northern Ireland or other British phone in the Republic may incur EU roaming charges, and vice versa for Irish phones used in the north. Areas within five miles of the border (such as Derry) pick up both countries' networks, so take care your mobile doesn't switch. The Irish carriers are eir Mobile, Three Mobile and Vodafone Mobile, so check which version of Vodafone you're on.

Respect
The province's troubled past has created a uniquely complex situation within Northern Ireland's society. Integration, or even interaction, between the two main religious groups varies hugely depending on where you are: for example, in affluent South Belfast or Bangor, those from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds live side by side, as they have for generations, whereas in West Belfast, the two communities are separated by a wall. As above, visitors are advised to avoid making political statements or taking one side over the other.

Foreign nationals claiming they are ‘Irish’ just because of an ancestor will likely be met with amusement, although this may become annoyance or anger should they then express their views related to The Troubles.

Unlike in parts of Europe, there is no social taboo associated with appearing drunk in bars or public places. Though it is advisable to avoid political conversations in general, this is particularly true when alcohol is involved. People from all backgrounds congregate in Belfast city centre to enjoy its nightlife; avoiding political discussions is an unwritten rule. Do not ask for an Irish Car Bomb or a Black and Tan in a bar - more acceptable names are an Irish Slammer or a half-and-half.

Also, Northern Irish people have a habit of gently refusing gifts or gestures you may offer them. Do not be offended, because they really mean that they like the gesture. Also, you are expected to do the same, so as not to appear slightly greedy. It is a confusing system but is not likely to get you in trouble.

Tours of Belfast often include a visit to the Peace Lines, the steel barriers that separate housing estates along sectarian lines. These are particularly visible in West Belfast. It is common for private or taxi tours to stop here and some tourists take the opportunity to write messages on the wall. It is important to remember that there is a real reason why these barriers have not been removed, and that they provide security for those living on either side of them. Messages questioning the need for these security measures, or those encouraging the residents to 'embrace peace' etc., are not appreciated by members of the community who live with the barriers on a day-to-day basis, and such behaviour is generally regarded as arrogant and patronising.

The terms which refer to the two communities in Northern Ireland have changed and 'Nationalist' or 'Unionist' are considered more neutral descriptions of people's positions. If in doubt it is best to use the term "Northern Ireland" until you are prompted to do otherwise. To refer to Ireland as a geographical whole, a reference to "the island of Ireland" or "all-Ireland" is widely understood, for example in sporting events.

Visitors might be more aware that the second city of Northern Ireland has two English-language names, "Londonderry" (official) and "Derry" (used by the local government district and on road signs in the Republic). Nationalists, and everyone in the Republic, will invariably use the name "Derry", whereas Unionists strongly prefer "Londonderry". It is wise not to question this, and if you are asked "Did you mean Derry" or "Did you mean Londonderry?" you should politely say yes.

It may all seem confusing, but Northern Irish people won't expect you to know or care about every detail of the situation and, as mentioned above, will openly welcome you to their country. Young people tend to be more open-minded about it all and are much less politically motivated than their parents or grandparents.

Other social issues
The people in Northern Ireland are generally warm and open, always ready with good conversation. Of course, being such a small, isolated country with a troubled past has also led to a decidedly lower rate in social, economic, and ethnic diversity. The majority of locals are white, more so than in other UK cities or multicultural countries like the United States or Germany. There have been some racist incidents particularly in South Belfast, which is more ethnically diverse due to its location near Queen's University. After decades of little or no immigration, some people find it hard to accept outsiders moving in, and racist attacks are usually on an immigrant's property, rather than the immigrants themselves.

Some citizens of Northern Ireland are not the most accepting when it comes to homosexuality. While a small and dwindling minority, fundamentalist Christians hold greater political sway in Northern Ireland than almost anywhere else in western Europe. Homophobic crimes are rare but still more common than in the rest of the UK and Ireland. There are virtually no examples of any gay and lesbian communities outside Central Belfast. However, parts of the capital (for example the University Quarter) are perfectly safe and accepting of gay and lesbian people, with both of Belfast's universities incorporating active LGBT societies. Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2020 and a ban on conversion therapy came in 2021.

Go next

 * The Republic of Ireland is quickly reached in any direction but north; Dublin is within a day trip but deserves much longer.
 * Scotland is visible across the North Channel. Glasgow especially has strong links to Ulster.
 * The Isle of Man is the clod of earth that Finn McCool hurled in the general direction of his foe Bennandonner. You may have to travel via Dublin to reach it.

title: Northern Ireland


text:
Northern Isaan

Northern Isaan is a region of Thailand, close to the border with Laos. Geographically it is part of the Mekong Valley. The barrier between Northern Isaan and Central Isaan is the Phu Phan Mountains.

Cities

 * — The newest province in Thailand and Isaan region, separated from Nong Khai in 2011
 * — next to Mekong river, Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge is located here
 * — the gateway to Vientiane in Laos
 * — home to Ban Chiang Archaeological Site
 * — the gateway to Vientiane in Laos
 * — home to Ban Chiang Archaeological Site
 * — home to Ban Chiang Archaeological Site
 * — home to Ban Chiang Archaeological Site

Other destinations

 * — see an amazing temple, laze around, looking at Laos
 * — small village near Nong Khai
 * — a village nearby Nong Khai
 * — A national park that protects Phu Kradueng mountain, a mesa that rises 1,000 meters above the surrounding valleys. Hiking trails in the park lead to overlooks and past waterfalls.

Get in

 * Udon Thani and Nong Khai (end of the line) can be reached from Bangkok on the train. There are 4 trains per day in each direction, with a travel time from Bangkok to Nong Khai of 10-12 hours.
 * Udon Thani and Nong Khai (end of the line) can be reached from Bangkok on the train. There are 4 trains per day in each direction, with a travel time from Bangkok to Nong Khai of 10-12 hours.

Go next
Cross into Laos at Nong Khai.

title: Northern Isaan


text:
Northern Islands

The Northern Islands (Faroese: Norðoyar or Norðoyggjar) are part of the Faroe Islands.

Settlements

 * – a large town in Borðoy and the regional centre of the Northern Islands.
 * – ferry port. Together with Norðdepil across the sound it has some 400 inhabitants.
 * (lit. Troll Peninsula) – the meat capital of the Faroes, found at the northern tip of Kalsoy.
 * – a village in Vidoy, the northernmost settlement in the Faroe Islands

Visitor information

 * visitnordoy.fo (official tourism website)

Get in
The road to the Northern Islands goes through the long Northern Islands tunnel (Norðoyatunnilin) from Eysturoy to Klaksvík on Borðoy. For cars, there is a toll for the tunnel (dkk100 for a return trip).

Buses connect the islands with Tórshavn.

The road from Tórshavn to Viðareiði makes for the longest journey possible on the Faroe Islands without using a ferry. It involves several tunnels, including the Northern Islands Tunnel and two long single-carriageways ones with lay-bys for letting oncoming traffic pass.

Svínoy and Fugloy can be reached by a regular helicopter service from Klaksvík or by ferry from Hvannasund on the island Viðoy. Hvannasund can be reached by car or bus from Klaksvík via two mountain tunnels.

By bus
Buses connect Klaksvik with Viðareiði.

By ferry

In order to get to Kalsoy you need to take the car ferry M/F Sam from Klaksvík to Syðradalur. No advance reservation. During summer it is advisable to queue in the lane at least 1 hour prior to departure as the morning routes are very popular and the ferry can only accommodate around 12 cars. If you don't make it onto the ferry by car, you may leave your car in Klaksvík and enter the boat as passenger, since there is a public bus connected to all ferry arrivals and departures on Kalsoy. The ferry ride to Kalsoy takes around 20 minutes one way.

The small islands of Fugloy and Svínoy are connected to Hvannasund on Viðoy by a passenger ferry. The round trip (dkk40) lasts about 2 hours and is quite popular as it offers splendid views of the islands and their cliffs. You should make an advance reservation by calling (not possible on the day of travel).

Strandfaraskip Landsins, the Faroese public transport service, publishes an annual timetable (Ferðaætlan) containing details of all ferry and bus schedules.

Kalsoy

 * and the nearby are popular hiking destinations on the northern tip of Kalsoy, with the trail starting at Trøllanes. The James Bond Tombstone is where the scenes of No Time to Die were filmed. Be sure to have good hiking boots (ideally waterproof) and sticks, as it is very easy to trip and fall.

Kunoy
Although Kunoy is road-accessible, it is rather mountainous yet very narrow, which has resulted in only two active settlements on the island today. Haraldssund on the east coast and the settlement of Kunur on the west coast. They are connected via a 3100-metre one-lane road tunnel.
 * , with an elevation of 830 m, is the highest peak on Kunoy.

Viðoy

 * Moorings on both sides of Viðareiði – what a contrast! On one side, where the church is, the Atlantic is placid; on the other it's like – the Atlantic!
 * , one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, 754 m, by Viðareiði.
 * Villingardalsfjall - Enniberg hiking trail – starting at the northern tip of Garðsvegur in the town of Viðareiði, Vidoy, it's a small off-the-beaten-path hiking trail.
 * Villingardalsfjall - Enniberg hiking trail – starting at the northern tip of Garðsvegur in the town of Viðareiði, Vidoy, it's a small off-the-beaten-path hiking trail.

Eat and drink
The only places where you can eat at an establishment is in Klaksvík. Viðareiði had two eateries, but they both permanently closed. Café Eðge in Mikladalur (on Kalsoy) is, as of April 2024, temporarily closed; it is expected to reopen on 3 May 2024.

Sleep
Cottages. Hotel Klaksvík (see Klaksvík).

title: Northern Islands


text:
Northern Jordan

Northern Jordan is the most developed region of Jordan. It includes the capital Amman.

See

 * Ajlun Castle, a great example of Islamic military architecture built during the Crusades, is an interesting maze of passages and levels, and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding area, northwestern Jordan, and off into Galilee.
 * The Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) just west of the Israeli border is the place where Jesus is said to have been baptized. The site is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List

title: Northern Jordan


text:
Northern Karnataka

Northern Karnataka is a region in Karnataka. It is home to the stunning religious and archeological site of Hampi, capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. One part of Hyderabad State, Northern Karnataka is full of other-worldly geology and nature.

Cities

 * (Ballari)

 * —

 * — capital of the former Vijayanagara Empire

 * (Hosapete)

 * (Gulbarga) — home to the historical Gulbarga Fort

 * —

 * (Yadagiri)

title: Northern Karnataka


text:
Northern Laos

Northern Laos is a mountainous region of Laos. It shares borders with Thailand, Myanmar, China and Vietnam. The region encompasses the provinces of (from north to south) Phongsali, Oudomxai, Luang Namtha, Bokeo and Sainyabuli.

Cities

 * - near the Thailand border crossing, and the departure point for the Gibbon Experience in Bokeo Nature Reserve
 * - famed cultural town and former capital
 * - capital of Luang Namtha Province
 * - in Luang Namtha Province
 * (Oudomxay) - capital of Oudomxai Province
 * - in Bokeo Province
 * - in Luang Namtha Province
 * - in Bokeo Province
 * - in Luang Namtha Province
 * - in Luang Namtha Province

Other destinations

 * - riverside village in Luang Prabang province. Only accessible by boat.
 * - riverside village in Luang Prabang province.
 * - riverside village in Luang Prabang province. Only accessible by boat.
 * - riverside village in Luang Prabang province.

By plane
The region is served internationally by which has scheduled flights from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi and Siem Reap and domestically from Vientiane in Central Laos.

Visa-on-arrival is available at Luang Prabang airport and the price is variable based upon your nationality. You need a passport picture to obtain a visa. If you don't have one, they'll scan your picture from your passport and charge you an additional US$1.

Luang Namtha Airport has flights from Vientiane.

By road
Highway 13 connects the region via Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and Vientiane in Central Laos. Bus journeys along this road are well known for being uncomfortable and windy. Allow 12 hours to travel between Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

By train
The new Chinese-built train line is now fully operational between Vientiane and Boten, taking only 3 hours to travel the entire 414 km length. Two fast electric trains per day stop at the following stations in Northern Laos: Boten, Na Toey, Na Mor, Muang Xai, Muong Nga, Luang Prabang, and then down to Vang Vieng and Vientiane. As of April 2022 tickets can only be bought 2 days in advance, and only at the railway stations. The views from the train in Northern Laos are not spectacular, as the train goes through many tunnels.

Get around
Buses from the northern bus station travel in Vientiane travel along the Mekong River to Sanakhan (the Lao town opposite Thailand's Chiang Khan), then through the mountains to Pak Lai. From Pak Lai, buses travel south to the Thai border crossing at Kaen Teo and north to Sainyabuli, where buses leave for other northern destinations, including the old royal city of Luang Prabang.

Itineraries

 * Ban Nalan Trail - in Luang Namtha Province.

Go next

 * Central Laos to the south.
 * Thailand has a popular border crossing in Bokeo province.
 * China from Luang Prabang or Luang Namtha to Boten/Mengla.

title: Northern Laos