Irish Regions 2: Core Socio-economic Region (The Greater Dublin Area)
GDA River Liffey Dublin City M50 motorway
Wicklow Mountains
In this chapter, we will look at the economic development of the Greater Dublin Area. Unlike the West region, the GDA is a highly developed core region. The GDA has a number of physical and social advantages that have aided its development.
KEY WORDS
l Primate city l Undulating relief l Brown earths l Cool temperate oceanic climate
l Intensive agriculture l Commercial l Developed l Industry l Transport links
LEARNING OUTCOMES
What you MUST know l Physical characteristics of the GDA l Climate characteristics of the region l How to draw the Irish map and fill in the main features of the GDA
l The development of primary, secondary and tertiary activities in the GDA
l Human processes of the region l Urban development in the region
What you SHOULD know l Intel and Pfizer CASE STUDIES F l Statistics that show contrast between regions
What is USEFUL to know l How to understand information provided in graphs as a means to contrast regions
l Tourism l Financial services l Inward migration l Rural-urban migration l Urban sprawl
22.1 The Greater Dublin Area
The Greater Dublin Area is the core socio-economic region of Ireland and includes the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. As of 2015, it is part of the new Eastern and Midlands Region, but remains a distinct region of its own due to its strong economy and favourable physical characteristics. It is the wealthiest and most highly developed region in the country. The region’s economy is centred in Dublin City, which is the primate city. The GDA has Ireland’s highest population
