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Dublin is at the same time the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Ireland. It is situated almost in the middle of the Irish east coast, in the centre of the Dublin Region, at the mouth of the river Liffey. The first settlement at that place was founded by the Vikings and has been the primary city of the country since Medieval times. Nowadays it is the economic, administrative and cultural centre of the Island of Ireland. A survey of the Loughborough University group from 1999 recognised it as a fast growing global city with the highest birth-rate between all the European capitals. Dublin is world famous for its literary history, as the native town of many great writers and playwrights as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and the creator of Dracula – Bram Stoker. Between them there are several Nobel laureates - William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett. It was James Joyce who mentioned and depicted Dublin and its citizens in his novels. Dublin is the centre of great part of the Irish art and Irish artistic scene. The nightlife in Dublin is well known because the city has one of the youngest populations compared to the other cities in Europe. With its three universities and several other higher education institutions, it is the major educational centre in Ireland. During the last years the cost of living there has risen enormously. A survey (including the housing, food and especially the drink prices) of the most expensive European cities in 2002 showed that Dublin was the third most expensive capital in the European Union. The spirit of the citizens has suffered important changes because the youth has fought against the traditional conservatism, as it is sung in the popular folk song “Dublin city in the rare old times”. However, it is just the fight between the old traditions and their supporters and the looking ahead younger generations that gives the city attractiveness and dynamism. Dublin is a beloved shopping place for both Irish and tourists. There are several shopping districts downtown, including Grafton Street and Henry Street, the near Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Jervis Shopping Centre and the redecorated Ilac Shopping Centre.