Northern Ireland lies in the northeast of the island of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland bounds it on the south and west the irish Sea and the north channel on the east. and the atlantic Ocean on the north The different regions of Northern Ireland are frequently referred to by the names of the province' s six traditional irish counties. These are--clockwise(顺时针方向的) from the northeast--Antrim, Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Londonderry (erry) The regions coastline consists of wide, sandy beaches, broken by steep cliffs(a E)in the north, northeast, and southeast. Near the northernmost point of Northern Ireland is Giant's Causeway, an unusual formation of basalt(*I##)columns created by the cooling of an ancient lava(a#) flow(p19, paragraph 2) Photo Researchers, Inc /F. Le Diascorn/Rapho Ts Glant's Causeway, Northem Ireland According to legend, the basalt columns of Giant's Cause way are ancient stepping stones giants used to cross the channel between ireland and scotland. Based on geological(地质学的 evidence, scientists believe the distinct pillars formed during the cooling and contracting phase of a lava(熔岩)fow3 Northern Ireland lies in the northeast of the island of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland bounds it on the south and west, the Irish Sea and the North Channel on the east, and the Atlantic Ocean on the north. The different regions of Northern Ireland are frequently referred to by the names of the province’s six traditional Irish counties. These are—clockwise (顺时针方向的) from the northeast—Antrim, Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Londonderry (Derry). The region’s coastline consists of wide, sandy beaches, broken by steep cliffs (悬 崖) in the north, northeast, and southeast. Near the northernmost point of Northern Ireland is Giant’s Causeway, an unusual formation of basalt (玄武岩) columns created by the cooling of an ancient lava (熔岩) flow. (p19, paragraph 2) Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland According to legend, the basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway are ancient stepping stones giants used to cross the channel between Ireland and Scotland. Based on geological ( 地质学的) evidence, scientists believe the distinct pillars formed during the cooling and contracting phase of a lava （熔岩） flow