who does northern ireland belong to?
United Kingdom
entailment
 Northern Ireland itself was , for many years , the site of a violent and bitter ethno @-@ sectarian conflict — The Troubles — between those claiming to represent Irish nationalism , who are predominantly Roman Catholic , and those claiming to represent British unionism , who are predominantly Protestant . Unionists want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom , while nationalists desire a united Ireland . 

neutral
 Northern Ireland was created as a division of the United Kingdom by the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and until 1972 it was a self @-@ governing jurisdiction within the United Kingdom with its own parliament and prime minister . Northern Ireland , as part of the United Kingdom , was not neutral during the Second World War and Belfast suffered four bombing raids in 1941 . Conscription was not extended to Northern Ireland and roughly an equal number volunteered from Northern Ireland as volunteered from the south . One , James Joseph Magennis , received the Victoria Cross for valour . 

entailment
 Politically , the island consists of the Republic of Ireland , with jurisdiction over about five @-@ sixths of the island ; and Northern Ireland , a constituent country ( and an unconfirmed " practical " exclave ) of the United Kingdom , with jurisdiction over the remaining sixth . Located west of the island of Great Britain , it is located at approximately 53 ° N 8 ° W. It has a total area of 84 @,@ 421 km2 ( 32 @,@ 595 sq mi ) . It is separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea and from mainland Europe by the Celtic Sea . Ireland and Great Britain , together with nearby islands , are known collectively as the British Isles ; as the term British Isles is controversial in relation to Ireland , the alternative term Britain and Ireland is increasingly preferred . 

entailment
 Politically , Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland ( officially named Ireland ) , which covers five @-@ sixths of the island , and Northern Ireland , which is part of the United Kingdom , in the northeast of the island . In 2011 the population of Ireland was about 6 @.@ 4 million , ranking it the second @-@ most populous island in Europe after Great Britain . Just under 4 @.@ 6 million live in the Republic of Ireland and just over 1 @.@ 8 million live in Northern Ireland . 

entailment
 Politically , the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland , an independent state , and Northern Ireland ( a constituent country of the United Kingdom ) . They share an open border and both are part of the Common Travel Area . 
