Belfast
Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland and the Irish Province of Ulster, with a population of 279,200 (1999 estimate). It is the seat of government for Northern Ireland, and in times past this was located at Hillsborough fort. Belfast is the county town for County Antrim.
The name Belfast originates from the Irish BÃÂéal Feirste, or the mouth of the Farset, the river on which the city was built. Interestingly, the river Farset has been superseded by the River Lagan as the most important river, and languishes under Bridge Street in obscurity.
Belfast is situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough and is surrounded by hills (Black Mountain and Cavehill - the famous Napoleon's nose is a basaltic outcrop here which forms the border with neighbouring Glengormley). The Lagan riverfront has been regenerated, and much of the city centre is pedestrianised.
The City Hall, dating from 1903, Queen's University (1849) and other Victorian and Edwardian buildings display a large number of sculptures. Among the grandest buildings are two former banks: Ulster Bank (1860) and Northern Bank (1769).
The world's largest dry dock is here, and the giant cranes of the Harland and Wolff shipyard can be seen from afar. Other long gone industries included Irish linen and rope-making.
It has two airports Belfast City Airport adjacent to Belfast Lough and Belfast International Airport which is near Lough Neagh.
The site of Belfast has been occupied since the Bronze ages, and the remains of Iron Age hill forts can still be seen.
In the early 17th century Belfast was settled by English and Scottish settlers, under a plan to colonise the area drawn up by Sir Arthur Chichester. Causing much tension with the existing population who rebelled in 1641. It was later settled by French Huguenots who established a sizeable linen trade.
Belfast became the centre of Irish Protestantism. And the capital of Northern Ireland in 1922.
For much of its history Belfast has been racked by sectarian divisions between Roman Catholics and Protestants, and was hit hard by The Troubles of the 1960s-1990sHistory
| United Kingdom | Ireland | Northern Ireland | Districts of Northern Ireland |
| Antrim | Ards | Armagh | Ballymena | Ballymoney | Banbridge | Belfast | Carrickfergus | Castlereagh | Coleraine | Cookstown | Craigavon | Derry | Down | Dungannon | Fermanagh | Larne | Limavady | Lisburn | Magherafelt | Moyle | Newry and Mourne | Newtownabbey | North Down | Omagh | Strabane |