IRELAND
Ireland is the third largest island in Europe,and the
twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of
continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and
islets. To the east of Ireland, separated by the Irish Sea, is the
island of Great Britain. Politically, the state Ireland (described
as the Republic of Ireland in cases of ambiguity) covers
five-sixths of the island, with Northern Ireland (NI), part of the
United Kingdom, covering the remainder in the north-east.
The population of the island is slightly over six million
(2007), with 4.34 million in the Republic (1.7 million in Greater
Dublin) and an estimated 1.75 million in Northern Ireland (0.6
million in Greater Belfast). This is a significant increase from a
modern historical low in the 1960s, but still much lower than the
peak population of over 8 million in the early 19th century, prior
to the Irish potato famine.
The modern sovereign state occupies five-sixths of the island of
Ireland, which was partitioned in 1921. It is bordered by Northern
Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) to the north, by the Atlantic
Ocean to the west and by the Irish Sea to the east. Legally, the
term Republic of Ireland (Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann) is the
description of the State but Ireland is its name.
Ireland is one of the richest, most developed and peaceful
countries on earth, having the fifth highest Gross Domestic Product
per capita, second highest Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing Power
Parity) per capita and having the fifth highest Human Development
Index rank. The country also boasts the highest quality of life in
the world, ranking first in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s
Quality-of-life index. Ireland was ranked fourth on the Global
Peace Index. Ireland also has high rankings for its education
system, political freedom and civil rights, press freedom and
economic freedom; it was also ranked fourth from the bottom on the
Failed States Index, being one of the few "sustainable" states in
the world.
Ireland is a member of the EU, the OECD and the UN. Ireland's
policy of neutrality means it is not a member of NATO. Ireland's
population is the fastest growing in Europe, with an annual growth
rate of 2.5%.
MOGA MMVIII (2008)
Welcome to Mark Twain Lake -
John F. Spalding Recreation Area.
John F. Spalding Recreation area is located
on the North side of Mark Twain Lake. This area has many different
attractions and a quiet, remote location. There are many
opportunities for hunting, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, or
bird watching.
(Source for information
can be found on the Clarence Cannon Dam
website.)
Out here, we have placed a number of caches
for your hunting pleasure. The area is accessible year round with
the exception of a special Handicap Hunt. During off season, you
must check in at the district office and let them know you are
hunting caches. Some areas of the recreation area can be gated so
you would have to park and walk in. Letting the office know will
prevent a meeting with a ranger and having to explain why you were
back there in the first place. During regular season, usually from
April - October, the area is wide open. Check the website for more
information. US Army Corps of
Engineers - Mark Twain Lake.
These caches were placed by Eagle Scouts Kyle
Jones and Kevin Linn, both from Troop 760, Boone Trails District,
Greater St. Louis Area Council. Please remember to trade up when
trading items. Check out the local businesses while in the area and
make sure you check out the South side of this beautiful
lake.
This cache is placed in the John
F. Spalding Recreation Area which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, St. Louis District, Mark Twain Lake. A special thanks
to Allen Mehrer, USACOE Forester, who provided the Ammo Cans and
recommended where to hide them.
