Belfast

Belfast (/ˈbɛlfæst/ BEL-fast, /-fɑːst/ -⁠fahst;[lower-alpha 1] from Irish: Béal Feirste [bʲeːlˠ ˈfʲɛɾˠ(ə)ʃtʲə], meaning "mouth of the sand-bank ford"[5]) is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 10th-largest primary urban area in the United Kingdom[6] and the second-largest city in the island of Ireland. Belfast City had a population of 293,298 in 2021.[4] The population of its metropolitan area was 671,559 in 2011,[2] and the Belfast Local Government District had a population 345,418 in 2021^[update].[3]

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Belfast Irish: Béal Feirste Scots: Bilfawst
Capital city
Skyline and buildings throughout the City of Belfast
Coat of arms with motto "Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus" (Latin: "What shall we give in return for so much")
Show map of Northern Ireland Location within Northern Ireland Show map of the United Kingdom Belfast (Northern Ireland) Show map of Northern Ireland
Area	51.16[1] sq mi (132.5 km2)
Population	Metropolitan area: 671,559 (2011)[2] Local Government District: 345,418 (2021)[3] City Limits: 293,298 (2021)[4]
Irish grid reference	J338740
District	City of Belfast
County	Antrim, Down
Country	Northern Ireland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BELFAST
Postcode district	BT1–BT17, BT29 (part), BT36 (part), BT58
Dialling code	028
Police	Northern Ireland
Fire	Northern Ireland
Ambulance	Northern Ireland
UK Parliament	Belfast North (SF) Belfast South (SDLP) Belfast East (DUP) Belfast West (SF)
NI Assembly	Belfast North Belfast South Belfast East Belfast West
Website	www.belfastcity.gov.uk
List of places UK Northern Ireland 54°35′47″N 05°55′48″W

By the early 19th century, Belfast was a major port. It played an important role in the Industrial Revolution in Ireland, briefly becoming the biggest linen-producer in the world, earning it the nickname "Linenopolis".[7] By the time it was granted city status in 1888, it was a major centre of Irish linen production, tobacco-processing and rope-making. Shipbuilding was also a key industry; the Harland & Wolff shipyard, which built the RMS Titanic and SS Canberra, was the world's largest shipyard.[8] Industrialisation, and the resulting inward migration,[9] made Belfast one of Ireland's biggest cities. Following the partition of Ireland in 1921, Belfast became the seat of government for Northern Ireland. There was major communal violence in the city during partition. Belfast saw further severe violence and numerous bombings during the thirty years of the Troubles, c. 1969–1998, and parts of the city remain segregated between Catholics and Protestants.

Belfast is still a port with commercial and industrial docks, including the Harland & Wolff shipyard, dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline. It also has a major aerospace industry. It is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport, 3 miles (5 kilometres) from the city centre, and Belfast International Airport 15 miles (24 kilometres) west of the city.