Cork (county, Ireland)

Cork (county, Ireland), largest and southernmost county of Ireland, in Munster Province. The Atlantic coastline of the county is broken by numerous bays and inlets, including Cork Harbour, on which is situated the county borough, Cork; Kinsale harbour; and Bantry, Clonakilty, Dunmanus, and Long Island bays. The Blackwater, Lee, and Bandon are the chief rivers of Cork. The western part of the county is mountainous, with much boggy land; the eastern and southern parts are fertile. Agricultural products include potatoes, turnips, and oats; other industries in Cork include dairying, salmon and mackerel fishing, and mining of coal, copper, manganese, barites, sandstone, and limestone. Area, 7,460 sq km (2,880 sq mi); population 324,767 (2002).