Dublin is the thriving capital city of the Republic of Ireland. It is noteworthy in terms of its vibrancy, its nightlife and its tourist attractions, and is the most popular entry point for international visitors to Ireland. As a city it is disproportionately large for the size of the country (2006 pop. Greater Dublin Region 1.6m); well over a quarter of the Republics population lives in the metropolitan area. The centre is, however, relatively small and can be navigated by foot, with most of the population living in sprawling suburbs.