An Overview of City Belfast

Belfast is the largest city in, and capital of, Northern Ireland. The word “Belfast” means “river-mouth of the sandbanks”. The major part of city Belfast is in Antrim County, but some portions of South and East Belfast lies in County Down. The city is on the River Lagan flood plain

City Belfast (Image Reference)

By population, Belfast is the second largest city in Ireland and 14^th largest in UK. Belfast is an important seat of degenerated government assembly of Northern Ireland. In 1888, Belfast was declared as a city centre. The main city lies at the centre of urban region of Belfast with a population of 281,000. But, as mentioned by EU, the bigger urban area has an overall population of 641,638.     

Being a centre for the linen industry of Ireland, Belfast has earned the name “Linenopolis".  Shipbuilding, rope-making and tobacco productions are main activities here. The city’s leading shipbuilders include the renowned Harland and Wolff Company which, early in the 20^th century, built famous RMS Titanic and pushed the city on to the international arena as the most productive and biggest shipyard in the whole world. Belfast, establishing its position as an international industrial centre until the last part of twentieth century, played an important part in the western Industrial Revolution. Now, Belfast continues as a centre for major industries. The city is also regarded as a legal centre, the economic engine, a centre for business and higher education of Northern Ireland.  During the time of conflict called the Troubles, Belfast suffered significantly, but most recently it has went through a sustained time of calm and now free from the strong political violence which occurred in previous years and gained a great commercial growth and substantial economy. The city Belfast went through regeneration and considerable expansion in the last couple of decades, particularly around the Victory Square.  

Belfast has two airports; the Belfast International airport which is 24 km west of the main city and George Best Airport in the city centre.  With industrial and commercial docks controlling the Lough Shoreline which include the renowned shipyard of Harold and Wolff, Belfast is a major post of Northern Ireland too.