UK and Ireland. Satellite image of the UK and the Republic of Ireland (Eire). North is at top. Water is blue, vegetation is green, dry or barren areas are brown, and snow and ice are white. The Irish Sea lies between the UK mainland (right) and the island of Ireland and Northern Ireland (left). The North Sea is at upper right. The English Channel separates the UK from France (part of which is seen at bottom right). Shallow coastal areas are light blue. Major cities and other urban areas are grey patches. London (lower right), Birmingham (north-west of London), Glasgow (upper centre in Scotland, below the brown Highlands area) and Dublin (east coast of Ireland) are all seen.