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| {{otheruses4|the city in Northern Ireland|other uses|Belfast (disambiguation)}} | |||
| {{pp-move-indef}} | |||
| {{Infobox UK place | | |||
| |official_name= Belfast | |||
| |irish_name= Béal Feirste | |||
| |scots_name= Bilfawst | |||
| |local_name= | |||
| |static_image= ] | |||
| |static_image_caption= <small>Belfast Coat of Arms</small><br>Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus <br><em>What shall we give in return for so much</em> | |||
| |latitude= 54.597 | |||
| |longitude= -5.930 | |||
| |denoymn= Belfastian | |||
| |population= <span style="font-size: smaller;">City of Belfast:<br /> 267,500 <br />Greater Belfast:<br /> 645,500 <br /> |irish_grid_reference= J338740 | |||
| |dublin_distance_mi= 106 | |||
| |dublin_distance= ] | |||
| |unitary_northern_ireland= ] | |||
| |country= Northern Ireland | |||
| |post_town= BELFAST | |||
| |postcode_area= BT | |||
| |postcode_district= BT1-BT17, BT29 (part of), BT58 | |||
| |dial_code= 028 | |||
| |constituency_westminster= ]</br>]</br>]</br>] | |||
| |constituency_ni_assembly= ]</br>]</br>]</br>] | |||
| |lieutenancy_northern_ireland = ]<br>] | |||
| |website= | |||
| |area_total_sq_mi= 44.4 | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Belfast''' ({{derive|Irish|Béal Feirste|mouth of the ]}} but mistakenly thought to mean "mouth of the ]")<ref name="Belfast name">{{cite web | title = Placenames/Logainmneacha: Belfast | work = BBC Northern Ireland - Education | publisher = BBC | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/irish/blas/education/beginnersblas/1belfast.shtml | accessdate = 2007-05-17}}</ref> is the capital city of ] and the seat of ] ] and legislative ] in Northern Ireland.<ref name="MSN Encarta">{{cite web | title = Northern Ireland | work = MSN Encarta - Northern Ireland | publisher = Microsoft | url = http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761571415/Ireland_Northern.html | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> It is the largest ] in the Irish province of ], and the second largest city on the island of ]. The City of Belfast has a population of 267,500<ref>http://www.nisra.gov.uk/demography/default.asp3.htm</ref>, and lies at the heart of Greater Belfast, which has a population of 645,500. Belfast was granted ] in 1888. | |||
| Historically, Belfast has been a centre for the Irish linen industry, tobacco production, rope-making and shipbuilding: the city's main shipbuilders, ], which built the ill-fated ], propelled Belfast on to the global stage in the early 20th century as the largest and most productive shipyard in the world. Belfast played a key role in the ], establishing its place as a global industrial centre until the latter half of the 20th century. | |||
| Today, Belfast remains a centre for ], as well as the ], ] and ], is a legal centre of the United Kingdom, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. The city suffered greatly during the period of disruption, conflict, and destruction called ], but latterly has undergone a sustained period of calmness and substantial economic and commercial growth. ] has undergone considerable expansion and regeneration in recent years, with the newly developed ] area attracting international attention. | |||
| Belfast is partially composed of seven "]", each dedicated to reflect the history of the city. It was first said at the ] that Belfast was once a city of two halves, but is now a city of seven quarters. The historic heart of Belfast, the ], has also seen substantial regeneration in recent years, and is seen as a sign of the resurgence of the City's cultural heritage. | |||
| Belfast is served by two airports: ] to the north-west of the city, and ] in the east of the city. | |||
| Belfast is also a major ], with commercial and industrial docks dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline, including the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard. | |||
| Belfast is a constituent city of the ] with a population of 3million, comprising of half the total population of the island of Ireland. | |||
| ==History== | |||
| {{Main|History of Belfast}} | |||
| Although the ] of Belfast was created when it was granted city status by ] in 1888,<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast City Hall | work = Discover Northern Ireland | publisher = Ireland Tourist Board | url = http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/product.aspx?ProductID=2782 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> the city continues to be viewed as straddling ] and ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast, Newcastle and the County Down Coast | work = County Down Northern Ireland | publisher = GoIreland.com | url = http://www.countydown.com/ | accessdate = 2009-01-17}}</ref> | |||
| ===Origins=== | |||
| The name, ''Belfast'', is the ] version of the Irish ''Béal Feirste,'' which translates as "Mouth of the (River) Farset".<ref name="Belfast name"/> This term refers to the ] that formed where the ] met the ] at what is now Donegall Quay and flowed into ], which became the hub around which the city developed.<ref>{{cite book | last = Keenan | first = Desmond | title = Pre-Famine Ireland | pages = Chapter 5 | publisher = XLibris.com | url = http://www.deskeenan.com/4PrChapter5.htm | year= 2000 | nopp = true}}</ref> | |||
| The site of Belfast has been occupied since the ]. The ], a 5000-year-old ], is located near the city, and the remains of ] ]s can still be seen in the surrounding hills. Belfast remained a small settlement of little importance during the ]. ] built a castle on what is now Castle Street in the city centre in the 12th century, but this was on a lesser scale and not as strategically important as ] to the north, which was built by de Courcy in 1177. The ] clan had a presence in the area. In the 14th century the Clan Aedh Buidh, descendants of "Yellow" Hugh O'Neill built Grey Castle at Castlereagh, now in the east of the city.<ref>{{cite book | last = Komesu | first = Okifumi | title = Irish Writers and Politics | pages = 73 | publisher = Rowman & Littlefield | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=AwFO2Z8Bk0YC&pg=PA73&lpg=PA73&dq=%22yellow+hugh+o+neill%22&source=web&ots=dnze5Q6rm_&sig=C6jca10GSjfNoQmIMq03Cuc-JlA | year= 1990}}</ref> ] also owned land in the area, one remaining link being the Conn's Water river flowing through east Belfast.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.theflightoftheearls.net/May2406.pdf |title=Celebrations mark the arrival of first Ulster Scots in Ireland |publisher=Irish News |date=2006-04-24 |accessdate=2007-09-18|format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
| ===Growth=== | |||
| Belfast became a substantial settlement in the 17th century after being established as a town by Sir Arthur Chichester, which was initially settled by Protestant English and Scottish migrants at the time of the ]. (Belfast and County Antrim, however, did not form part of the Plantation scheme.) In 1791, the ] was founded in Belfast, after ] and other prominent Presbyterians from the city invited ] and ]. to a meeting, after having read Tone's "Argument on Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland". Belfast blossomed as a commercial and industrial centre in the 18th and 19th centuries and became Ireland's pre-eminent industrial city. Industries thrived, including ], rope-making, tobacco, heavy engineering and shipbuilding, and at the end of the nineteenth century, Belfast briefly overtook Dublin as the largest city in Ireland. The ] shipyards became one of the largest shipbuilders in the world, employing up to 35,000 workers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3176184.stm |title=Cranes to remain on city skyline |publisher=BBC News |date=2003-10-09 |accessdate=2007-03-12}}</ref> Belfast was heavily bombed during ]. In one raid, in 1941, German bombers killed around one thousand people and left tens of thousands homeless. Outside of London, this was the greatest loss of life in a night raid during the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1269206.stm |title=The Belfast blitz is remembered |publisher=BBC News |date=2001-04-11 |accessdate=2007-03-12}}</ref> | |||
| ===The Troubles=== | |||
| {{Main|The Troubles}} | |||
| Belfast has been the capital of Northern Ireland since its establishment in 1921 following the ]. Since its emergence as a major city, it had been the scene of various episodes of sectarian conflict between its ] and ] populations. These opposing groups in this conflict are now often termed ] and ] respectively, although they are also referred to as ']' and ']'. The most recent example of this is known as ] - a civil conflict that raged from c.1969 to the late 1990s. Belfast saw some of the worst of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, particularly in the 1970s, with rival paramilitary groups forming on both sides. Bombing, assassination and street violence formed a backdrop to life throughout the Troubles. The ] detonated twenty-two bombs, all in a confined area in the city centre in 1972, on what is known as "]", killing nine people. Loyalist paramilitaries, the ] (UVF) and ] (UDA) claimed that the murders they carried out were in retaliation to the ]. Most of their victims were Roman Catholic civilians entirely unconnected to the Provisional IRA. A particularly notorious group, based on the ] in the mid 1970s became known as the ]. In all, over one thousand five hundred people were killed in political violence in the city from 1969 until 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1269206.stm |title=Sutton Index of Deaths |publisher=CAIN |accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> Part of the legacy of ] is that both republican and loyalist paramilitary groups in Belfast have become involved in organised crime and ]. | |||
| ==Governance== | |||
| Belfast was granted ] by ] in 1613 and official ] by ] in 1888.<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast City Hall: History and Background | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/cityhall/history.asp?menuitem=background | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> Since 1973 it has been a ] under local administration by ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 | publisher = Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN) | year= 2007 | url = http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/hmso/lgba1971.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> Belfast is represented in both the ] and in the ]. For elections to the ], Belfast is within the ]. | |||
| ===Local government=== | |||
| {{details|Belfast City Council}} | |||
| The city of Belfast has a ] form of ]. The City's officials are the ], Deputy Lord Mayor and ] who are elected from among fifty-one ]. The first Lord Mayor of Belfast was Daniel Dixon, who was elected in 1892.<ref name="Belfast City Council - Lord Mayor">{{cite web | title = Councillors: Lord Mayor | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/councillors/index.asp?menuitem2=lord-mayor | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> As of June 2008, the Lord Mayor of Belfast is ] politician, ], who is only the second Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of the city. His duties include presiding over meetings of the council, receiving distinguished visitors to the city, and representing and promoting the city on the national and international stage.<ref name="Belfast City Council - Lord Mayor"/> Hartley replaces the ] Lord Mayor, ] OBE. | |||
| In 1997, ] lost overall control of ] for the first time in its history, with the ] gaining the balance of power between ] and Unionists. This position was confirmed in the council elections of ] and ]. Since then it has had three Nationalist mayors, two from the ] (SDLP) and one from ]. The first nationalist Lord Mayor of Belfast was Alban Maginness of the SDLP, in 1996. | |||
| In the 2005 local government elections, the voters of Belfast elected fifty-one councillors to Belfast City Council from the following political parties: 15 ] (DUP), 14 ], 8 ], 7 ] (UUP), 4 ], 2 ] (PUP), and 1 Independent (a former deputy mayor who takes the UUP whip was a member of the defunct ] paramilitary linked, ]).<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast City Council Elections 1993-2005 | work = Northern Ireland Elections | publisher = Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive (ARK) | year= 2005 | url = http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/lgbelfast.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> | |||
| ===Northern Ireland Assembly and Westminster=== | |||
| {{Details3|] and ]}} | |||
| {{seealso|Belfast (Northern Ireland Parliament constituencies)|Belfast (constituency)}} | |||
| ]As Northern Ireland's capital city, Belfast is host to the ] at ], the site of the ] legislature for Northern Ireland. Belfast is divided into four ] and ] constituencies: ], ], ] and ]. All four extend beyond the city boundaries to include parts of ], ] and ] districts. In the ], Belfast elected 24 ] (MLAs), 6 from each ]. The MLA breakdown consisted of 8 ], 6 ], 4 ], 3 ], 2 ], and 1 ].<ref>{{cite news | title = Northern Ireland election | publisher = BBC News | date= 2007-03-09 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2007/nielection/html/main.stm | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> In the 2005 UK general election, Belfast elected one ] from each constituency to the ] at Westminster, ]. This comprised 2 DUP, 1 SDLP, and 1 ].<ref>{{cite web | title = The 2005 Westminster elections in Northern Ireland | work = Northern Ireland Elections | publisher = Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive (ARK) | year= 2005 | url = http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fw05.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> | |||
| ===Coat of arms and motto=== | |||
| The city of Belfast has the ] motto "''Pro tanto quid retribuamus''". This is taken from ] 116 Verse 12 in the Latin ] and is literally "For (Pro) the much (tanto) what (quid) we shall repay (retribuamus)" The verse has been translated in different bibles differently - for example as "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?".<ref>King James Bible, Psalm 116 Verse 12</ref> It is also translated as "In return for so much, what shall we give back?"<ref>"I reflected on the two mottos of Belfast and America - 'Pro Tanto Quid' and 'E Pluribus Unum'. I am reliably informed that these roughly translate as 'In return for so much, what shall we give back?' and 'From many, one'" , by Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Ekin</ref> The ] Students' Union ] publication ''PTQ'' derives its name from the first three words of the motto. ] | |||
| The city's ] shows a central shield, bearing a ship and a bell, flanked by a chained wolf (or wolfhound) on the left and a seahorse on the right. A smaller seahorse sits at the top. This crest dates back to 1613, when ] granted Belfast town status. The seal was used by Belfast merchants throughout the seventeenth century on their signs and trade-coins.<ref name="Buildings of Belfast">{{cite book | last = Brett | first = C. E. B | title = Buildings of Belfast, 1700-1914 | publisher = Weidenfeld and Nicolson | year= 1967 | location = London}}</ref> A large stained glass window in the ] displays the seal, where an explanation suggests that the seahorse and the ship refer to Belfast's significant maritime history. The wolf may be a tribute to the city's founder, ], and refer to his own coat of arms.<ref name="Buildings of Belfast"/> | |||
| ==Geography== | |||
| ], a basaltic hill overlooking the city.]] | |||
| Belfast is situated on Ireland's eastern ] at {{coord|54|35|49|N|05|55|45|W|}}. The city is flanked to the northwest by a series of hills, including ], which is thought to be the inspiration for ] novel, '']''. Belfast is located at the western end of ] and at the mouth of the ] making it an ideal location for the shipbuilding industry that once made it famous. When the ] was built in Belfast in 1912, ] had the largest shipyard in the world.<ref name="Titanic In History">{{cite web | title = Introduction To Titanic - Titanic In History | work = Titanic. Built in Belfast | publisher = Ulster Folk and Transport Museum | url = http://www.titanicinbelfast.com/template.aspx?pid=342&area=1&parent=321 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> | |||
| Belfast is situated on Northern Ireland's eastern coast. A consequence of this northern latitude is that it both endures short winter days and enjoys long summer evenings. During the ], the shortest day of the year, local sunset is before 16:00 while sunrise is around 08:45. This is balanced by the ] in June, when the sun sets after 22:00 and rises before 05:00.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sunrise and sunset in Belfast | work = Sun Calculator | publisher = time and date.com | url = http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=919| accessdate = 2007-05-18 }}</ref> | |||
| Belfast is located at the eastern end of ] and at the mouth of the ]. In 1994, a ] was built across the river by the ] to raise the average water level so that it would cover the unseemly mud flats which gave Belfast its name<ref>{{cite web | title = Lagan Weir - Why it exists | publisher = Laganside | url = http://www.laganside.com/laganweir.asp | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref>({{derive|Irish|Béal Feirste|The sandy ford at the river mouth}}<ref name="Belfast name"/>). The area of Belfast Local Government District is {{sq mi to km2|42.3|spell=UK}}.<ref name=Areameasurements>{{cite web | title = Area Measurements in Northern Ireland | work = 2001 census Data | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency | year= 2001 | url = http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census/area_measurement.html | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> | |||
| The ] is also named after this ] deposit (from the Irish ''feirste'' meaning ‘sand spit’). Originally a more significant river than it is today, the Farset formed a dock on High Street until the mid 19th century. Bank Street in the ] referred to the river bank and Bridge Street was named for the site of an early Farset bridge.<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast City: Did you know? | work = Discover Ireland | publisher = Tourism Ireland | year= 2007 | url = http://www.discoverireland.com/za/ireland-places-to-go/areas-and-cities/belfast-city/highlights/culture/ | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> However, superseded by the ] as the more important river in the city, the Farset now languishes in obscurity, under High Street. | |||
| The city is flanked on the north and northwest by a series of hills, including ], ] and ] thought to be the inspiration for ] '']''. When Swift was living at Lilliput Cottage near the bottom of the Limestone Road in Belfast, he imagined that the ] resembled the shape of a sleeping giant safeguarding the city.<ref name="Jonathan Swift">{{cite web | title = Belfast Hills | work = Discover Northern Ireland | publisher = Northern Ireland Tourist Board | url = http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/product.aspx?ProductID=10391 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> The shape of the giant's nose, known locally as ''Napoleon's Nose'', is officially called McArt's Fort probably named after Art O'Neill, a sixteenth century chieftain who controlled the area at that time.<ref>{{cite web | title = About the Cave Hill | publisher = The Cave Hill Conservation Campaign | year= 2007 | url = http://www.cavehill.freeuk.com/home.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> The ] Hills overlook the city on the southeast. | |||
| Former poet and Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr William Philbin wrote this of Belfast: "Belfast is a city walled in by mountains, moated by sees, and undermined by deposits of history". | |||
| ===Climate=== | |||
| Belfast has a ] climate. Average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. The highest temperature recorded in Belfast was 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) on 12 July 1983.<ref name="Met Office">{{cite web | title = Climate: Northern Ireland | publisher = Met Office | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/nireland/index.html | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> The city gets significant precipitation (greater than 0.01 in/0.25 mm) on 213 days in an average year with an average annual rainfall of {{mm to in|845.8|spell=UK}},<ref name="Belfast Weather">{{cite web | title = Belfast, Northern Ireland - Average Conditions | work = BBC Weather Centre | publisher = BBC | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/city.shtml?tt=TT003750 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> less than the ] or the ],<ref name="Met Office"/> but higher than ] or the south-east coast of Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | title = Rainfall in Ireland | publisher = Met Éireann | url = http://www.met.ie/climate/rainfall.asp | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> As an urban and coastal area, Belfast typically gets snow on fewer than 10 days per year.<ref name="Met Office"/> | |||
| The city is also renowned for how warm it can get during the winter month at its high latitude. In February, temperatures have hit 17 °C, at the same latitude where it is ~-45 °C in Russia and Canada. | |||
| It is not uncommon for temperatures in summer to reach as high as 27 °C (80 °F) on numerous days.<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast/Harbour Climate History | work = weatheronline.co.uk | publisher = weatheronline.co.uk | url = http://weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-bin/regframe?3CODE=%26PLZN%3DBelfast%26PLZ%3DBT13&LANG=en&PRG=citybild | accessdate = 2008-03-22}}</ref> The consistently humid climate that prevails over Ireland can make temperatures feel uncomfortable when they stray into the high 20s (80-85°F), more so than similar temperatures in hotter climates in the rest of Europe. | |||
| <!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather | |||
| |metric_first=Yes <!--Entering Yes will display metric first. Leave blank for imperial--> | |||
| |single_line=Yes <!--Entering Yes will display metric and imperial units on same line.--> | |||
| |location = Belfast | |||
| |Jan_Hi_°C =6 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C =13 <!--REC temps are optional; use sparely--> | |||
| |Feb_Hi_°C =7 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C =14 | |||
| |Mar_Hi_°C =9 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C =19 | |||
| |Apr_Hi_°C =12 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C =21 | |||
| |May_Hi_°C =15 |May_REC_Hi_°C =26 | |||
| |Jun_Hi_°C =18 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C =28 | |||
| |Jul_Hi_°C = 18 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C =32 | |||
| |Aug_Hi_°C = 18 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C =28 | |||
| |Sep_Hi_°C =16 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C =26 | |||
| |Oct_Hi_°C =13 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C =21 | |||
| |Nov_Hi_°C =9 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C =16 | |||
| |Dec_Hi_°C =7 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C =14 | |||
| |Year_Hi_°C =12 |Year_REC_Hi_°C =32 | |||
| |Jan_Lo_°C =2 |Jan_REC_Lo_°C =-13 | |||
| |Feb_Lo_°C =2 |Feb_REC_Lo_°C =-12 | |||
| |Mar_Lo_°C =3 |Mar_REC_Lo_°C =-12 | |||
| |Apr_Lo_°C =4 |Apr_REC_Lo_°C =-4 | |||
| |May_Lo_°C =6 |May_REC_Lo_°C =-3 | |||
| |Jun_Lo_°C =9 |Jun_REC_Lo_°C =-1 | |||
| |Jul_Lo_°C =11 |Jul_REC_Lo_°C =4 | |||
| |Aug_Lo_°C =11 |Aug_REC_Lo_°C =1 | |||
| |Sep_Lo_°C =9 |Sep_REC_Lo_°C =-2 | |||
| |Oct_Lo_°C = 7 |Oct_REC_Lo_°C =-4 | |||
| |Nov_Lo_°C =4 |Nov_REC_Lo_°C =-6 | |||
| |Dec_Lo_°C =3 |Dec_REC_Lo_°C =-11 | |||
| |Year_Lo_°C =6 |Year_REC_Lo_°C =-13 | |||
| <!--**** use mm or cm but not both! ****--> | |||
| |Jan_Precip_cm = |Jan_Precip_mm = 80 | |||
| |Feb_Precip_cm = |Feb_Precip_mm =52 | |||
| |Mar_Precip_cm = |Mar_Precip_mm = 50 | |||
| |Apr_Precip_cm = |Apr_Precip_mm =48 | |||
| |May_Precip_cm = |May_Precip_mm =52 | |||
| |Jun_Precip_cm = |Jun_Precip_mm =68 | |||
| |Jul_Precip_cm = |Jul_Precip_mm =94 | |||
| |Aug_Precip_cm = |Aug_Precip_mm =77 | |||
| |Sep_Precip_cm = |Sep_Precip_mm = 80 | |||
| |Oct_Precip_cm = |Oct_Precip_mm =83 | |||
| |Nov_Precip_cm = |Nov_Precip_mm =72 | |||
| |Dec_Precip_cm = |Dec_Precip_mm = 90 | |||
| |Year_Precip_cm = |Year_Precip_mm =846 | |||
| |source =<ref name="Belfast Weather"/> | |||
| |accessdate =2007-08-04 | |||
| }}<!--Infobox ends--> | |||
| === Areas and districts=== | |||
| ], part of QUB. The David Keir Building of Queen's University is in the foreground. The yellow façade of ] is visible in the centre background, with the city's current tallest building ] in the right background.]] | |||
| {{main|Districts of Belfast}}{{details3|]|City Layout}} | |||
| Belfast expanded very rapidly from market town to industrial city during the course of the nineteenth century. Because of this, it is less an agglomeration of villages and towns which have expanded into each other, than other comparable cities, such as Manchester or Birmingham. The city expanded to the natural barrier of the hills that surround it, overwhelming other settlements. Consequently, the arterial roads along which this expansion took place (such as the Falls Road or the Newtownards Road) are more significant in defining the districts of the city than nucleated settlements. Including the ], the city can be divided into five areas with ], ], ], and ]. Each of these is a ]. Belfast remains segregated by walls, commonly known as “]”, erected by the ] after August 1969, and which still divide fourteen neighbourhoods in the inner city.<ref name="Peacelines">{{cite paper | author = Margrethe C. Lauber | title = Belfast's Peacelines: An Analysis of Urban Borders, Design and Social Space in a Divided City | url = http://www.mspacenyc.com/belfast.study.html | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> In 2008 a process was proposed for the removal of the 'peace walls'.<ref></ref> In June 2007, a ]16 million programme was announced which will transform and redevelop streets and public spaces in the city centre.<ref>{{cite web | title = Major makeover for Belfast City Centre | publisher = Department for Social Development (NI) | date= 2007-06-12 | url = http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/news_items/major-makover-belfast.htm | accessdate = 2007-06-12}}</ref> Major arterial roads (]) into the city include the Antrim Road, Shore Road, Holywood Road, Newtownards Road, Castlereagh Road, Cregagh Road, Ormeau Road, ], ], ], Springfield Road, ], and Crumlin Road.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Arterial Routes | work = Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 Draft Plan | publisher = The Planning Service | url = http://www.planningni.gov.uk/areaplans_policy/Plans/BMA/draft_plan/02Part4/volume2/Arterial%20Routes/ArterialRoutes.htm | accessdate = 2007-06-12}}</ref> | |||
| ] is divided by two postcodes, ''BT1'' for the area lying north of the ], and ''BT2'' for the area to its south. The industrial estate and docklands share ''BT3''. The rest of the ] are set out in a ] system. Although ''BT'' stands for ''Belfast'', it is used across the whole of Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | title = The UK Postcode System | publisher = List Masters | year= 2005 | url = http://www.listmasters.co.uk/postcodes.php | accessdate = 2007-06-12}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Since 2001, boosted by increasing numbers of tourists, the city council has developed a number of cultural ]. The ''']''' takes its name from ] (Church of Ireland) and has taken on the mantle of the city's key cultural locality.<ref name="Cathedral Quarter">{{cite web | title = Exploring Belfast's cultural life | publisher = Belfast City Council | year= 2007 | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/culture/culturallife.asp?menuitem=culturallife | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> It hosts a yearly ]. ] | |||
| In March 2008, ], a £400m shopping complex opened in the centre of Belfast, consisting of shops, restaurants, a cinema (opening in June 2008) and the largest of any ] store, increasing the shopping area of Belfast by up to a third. | |||
| Custom House Square is one of the city's main outdoor venues for free concerts and street entertainment. The ''']''' is an area around the ] in ] which promotes and encourages the use of the ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Gaeltacht Quarter | publisher = Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure | year= 2007 | url = http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/languages/gaeltacht_quarter.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> The ''']''' in ] is named after ]. The area has a large student population and hosts the annual ] each autumn. It is home to ] and the ], closed for major redevelopment until 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title = Contact Details | publisher = The Ulster Museum | year= 2007 | url = http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/contact-us/contact-details/ | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> ] is the name given to the mile between ] and Queen's University. Taking in Great Victoria St, Shaftesbury Square and Bradbury Place, it contains some of the best bars and restaurants in the city.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Golden Mile: Pub Crawl | publisher = Virtual Belfast | url = http://www.belfastbar.co.uk/The-Golden-Mile-articles.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> Since the ] in 1998, the nearby ] has developed into the city's most exclusive shopping strip.<ref> | |||
| {{cite web | title = Shopping At A Glance | work = Visit South Belfast | publisher = South Belfast Partnership | url = http://www.visitsouthbelfast.com/tourism/default.asp?cms=Tourism%5FThings+To+Do%5FShopping_Shopping+At+A+Glance&cmsid=19_49_81_227&id=227&viewtype=Category | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Burns | first=Gemma | url=http://www.dailyireland.com/home.tvt?_scope=DailyIreland/South%20Belfast%20News/Features&id=26382&psv=13&_ticket=9NTHLXD4YGSGX4SGPNNADY7BZKLAFUUGUYRIJQOJBVXF9LLDN32STRRIVON9ANVRBNKACJ5J9QRFK11M9NTGNXT9CHUT71QFIRY4S0SEAOYFBHSJ5LE1HONDNMTEGPKACN1FURUQS10YM75OV6 |title=A passion for preserving Belfast’s beauty | publisher=South Belfast News | date=2007-02-28 | accessdate=2007-03-12}}</ref> Finally, The ''']''' covers 0.75 km² of reclaimed land adjacent to ], formerly known as ''Queen's Island''. Named after the ], which was built here in 1912,<ref name="Titanic In History"/> work has begun which promises to transform some former shipyard land into "one of the largest waterfront developments in Europe".<ref name="Titanic Quarter">{{cite web | title = Corporate Message: The Vision | work = About Us at Titanic Quarter | publisher = Titanic Quarter | year= 2006 | url = http://www.titanic-quarter.com/about.php?ID=3 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> Plans also include apartments, a riverside entertainment district, and a major Titanic-themed museum.<ref name="Titanic Quarter"/> | |||
| ===Parks and gardens=== | |||
| {{main|List of parks and gardens in Belfast}} | |||
| Belfast has over forty public parks. The Forest of Belfast is a partnership between government and local groups, set up in 1992 to manage and conserve the city's parks and open spaces. They have commissioned more than 30 public sculptures since 1993.<ref>{{cite web | title = Forest of Belfast | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/forestofbelfast.asp?menuitem=forest | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> In 2006, the ] set aside ]8 million to continue this work.<ref>{{cite web | title = Your City, Your Space | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/openspacestrategy.asp?menuitem=yourcity | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> The ] was founded in 1863 and is administered by National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland.<ref> | |||
| {{cite web | title = About the Field Club | publisher = Belfast Naturalists' Field Club | url = http://www.habitas.org.uk/bnfc/about.html | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> | |||
| With 700,000 visitors in 2005,{{Failed verification|date=December 2007}}<ref>{{cite web | title = Hansard 27 April 2006| publisher = House of Commons| url = http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060427/text/60427w07.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-01}}</ref> one of the most popular parks<ref name="Botanic Gardens">{{cite web | title = Botanic Gardens | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/parksdetails.asp?id=54 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}{{Dead link|date=December 2007}}</ref> is ] in the ]. Built in the 1830s and designed by ], Botanic Gardens Palm House is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear and cast iron ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Palm House Botanic Gardens, Belfast City | publisher = Houses, Castles and Gardens of Ireland | url = http://www.gardensireland.com/palm-house.html | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> Other attractions in the park include the Tropical Ravine, a humid jungle glen built in 1889,<ref name="Botanic Gardens"/> rose gardens and public events ranging from live opera broadcasts to pop concerts. ] played here in 1997. ], to the south of the city centre, attracts thousands of visitors each year to its International Rose Garden.<ref name="Go To Belfast: Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park">{{cite web | title = Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park and City of Belfast International Rose Garden | publisher = Go To Belfast | url = http://www.gotobelfast.com/thingstodo/viewdetail.cfm/TDVenue_Key/421/level/page/category_key/197/Page_Key/279/parent_key/0/type/Page/PaGeName/Restaurant_Month.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> Rose Week in July each year features over 20,000 blooms.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park | work = Discover Northern Ireland | publisher = Northern Ireland Tourist Board | url = http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/product.aspx?ProductID=2795 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> It has an area of {{convert|128|acre|km2}} of meadows, woodland and gardens and features a ] Memorial Garden, a Japanese Garden, a walled garden, and the Golden Crown Fountain commissioned in 2002 as part of the ] celebrations.<ref name="Go To Belfast: Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park"/> | |||
| In 2008, Belfast was named a finalist in the Large City (200,001 and over) category of the ] ] competition along with ] and ]. | |||
| ==Demography== | |||
| In the ], the population within the city limits (the Belfast Urban Area) was 276,459,<ref name="Belfast Urban Area">{{cite web | title = Comparative Demography Profile: Belfast District Council, Northern Ireland | work = 2001 census data (Crown Copyright) | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency | year= 2001 | url = http://www.nicensus2001.gov.uk/nica/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Demography&mainLevel=CouncilArea&mainArea=Belfast&mainText=&mainTextExplicitMatch=null&compLevel=CountryProfile&compArea=Northern+Ireland&compText=&compTextExplicitMatch=null | accessdate = 2007-05-17}}</ref> while 579,554 people lived in the wider ].<ref name="Belfast Metropolitan Area">{{cite web | title = Area Profile of Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area (BMUA) | work = 2001 Census data | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency | year= 2001 | url = http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/mapxtreme_towns/report.asp?settlementName=Belfast%20Metropolitan%20Urban%20Area%20(BMUA)&BandName=Belfast%20Metropolitan%20Urban%20Area%20(BMUA) | accessdate = 2007-05-16}}</ref> This made it the ] in the United Kingdom, but the ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Pointer, Graham|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/fom2005/03_FOPM_UrbanAreas.pdf|format=PDF|title=The UK's major urban areas|publisher= UK National Statistics|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> | |||
| Belfast experienced a huge growth in ] around the first half of the twentieth century. This rise slowed and peaked around the start of ] with the 1971 census showing almost 600,000 people in the ''Belfast Urban Area''.<ref name="Geography in Action Urban Growth">{{cite web | last = Stephen | first = Roulston | title = Urban Structure: Growth of Belfast | work = Geography in Action | publisher = National Grid for Learning | year= 2006 | url = http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Urban_structure/Urban_growth.html | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> Since then, the inner city numbers have dropped dramatically as people have moved to swell the ] suburb population. The 2001 census population within the same Urban Area, had fallen to 277,391<ref name="Belfast Urban Area"/> people, with 579,554 people living in the wider ].<ref name="Belfast Metropolitan Area"/> The population density in the same year was 2,415 people/km² (compared to 119 for the rest of Northern Ireland).<ref name="Belfast LGD">{{cite web | title = Local Government District Information for Belfast LGD | work = Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS) | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency | year= 2003 | url = http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/mapxtreme/report.asp?INIT=YES&POSTCODE=BT015GS&DESC=FromGeneral&CurrentLevel=COA&ID=95GG390015&Name=95GG390015&Tab=DC | accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref> As with many cities, Belfast's inner city is currently characterised by the elderly, students and single young people, while families tend to live on the periphery. Socio-economic areas radiate out from the ], with a pronounced wedge of affluence extending out the ] to the ].<ref name="Geography in Action Urban Growth"/> An area of greater deprivation extends to the ] of the city. The areas around the ] and ] Roads are the most deprived wards in Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | title = Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure | publisher = Department of Finance and Personnel | date= 2005-05 | url = http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/deprivation/NIMDM2005FullReport.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> | |||
| Despite a period of relative peace, most areas and districts of Belfast still reflect the divided nature of Northern Ireland as a whole. Many areas are still highly segregated along ethnic, political and religious lines, especially in ] neighbourhoods.<ref>{{cite web | last = Stephen | first = Roulston | title = Ethnic Diversity: Segregation in Belfast. Introduction to Ethnic Diversity in Belfast | work = Geography in Action | publisher = National Grid for Learning | year= 2006 | url = http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Ethnic%20Diversity/Ethnic_intro.html | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> These zones - ‘]’ or ‘]’ on one side and ‘]’, or ‘]’ on the other - are invariably marked by ], ] and ]. Segregation has been present throughout the history of Belfast, but has been maintained and increased by each outbreak of violence in the city. This escalation in segregation, described as a "ratchet effect", has shown little sign of decreasing during times of peace.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Lloyd | first = C | coauthors = Shuttleworth, I; McNair, D | title = Measuring local segregation in Northern Ireland | journal = Centre for Spatial Territorial Analysis and Research (C-STAR) | year= 2003 | publisher = School of Geography, Queen’s University | url = http://www.qub.ac.uk/c-star/pubs/lloydetal.pdf | accessdate = 2006-03-12 |format=PDF}} | |||
| </ref> When violence flares, it tends to be in interface areas. The highest levels of segregation in the city are in ] with many areas greater than 90% ]. Opposite but comparatively high levels are seen in the predominantly ] ].<ref name="Ethnic Segregation">{{cite journal | last = Doherty | first = P | coauthors = Poole, M | title = Ethnic Residential Segregation in Belfast | journal = Centre for the Study of Conflict | pages = Chapter 8 | year= 1995 | publisher = University of Ulster, Coleraine | url = http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/csc/reports/apartbel.htm#conclude | accessdate = 2006-03-12 | nopp = true }}</ref> Areas where segregated working-class areas meet are known as ]s. | |||
| ] communities have been in Belfast since the 1930s.<ref name="Who lives here">{{cite web | title = Ethnic minorities: Who lives here? | work = Northern Ireland Learning: Teacher's Notes | publisher = BBC | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/11_16/citizenship/pdfs/ctz_eth_pg02_tn.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> The largest groups are Chinese and ]. Since the expansion of the European Union, numbers have been boosted by an influx of Eastern European immigrants. Census figures (2001) showed that Belfast has a total ethnic minority population of 4,584 or 1.3% of the population. Over half of these live in ], where they comprise 2.63% of the population.<ref name="Who lives here"/> The majority of the estimated 5,000 ]<ref>{{cite web | title = About Us | publisher = Belfast Islamic Centre | url = http://belfastislamiccentre.org.uk/about_us/about_us.htm | year= 2007 | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> and 200 ] families<ref>{{cite web | title = Hinduism | work = Primary Focus: Programme 1 - Indian Community | publisher = BBC | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/4_11/pfocus/citizenship/spring2001/ | accessdate = 2007-10-08}}</ref> living and working in Northern Ireland live in the ] area. | |||
| ==Economy== | |||
| {{main|Economy of Belfast}} | |||
| The ] in 1994 and the signing of the ] in 1998 have given investors increased confidence to invest in Belfast.<ref>{{cite web | title = Durkan "hopeful" For Future Of Good Friday Agreement | publisher = Department of Finance and Personnel| url = http://archive.nics.gov.uk/dfp/010209f-dfp.htm | accessdate = 2007-09-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 13 February 2002 | publisher = House of Commons | url = http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020213/text/20213w02.htm | accessdate = 2007-09-17}}</ref> This has led to a period of sustained economic growth and large-scale redevelopment of the ]. Developments include ], the ], and the ] with the ] complex and the landmark ]. ] | |||
| Other major developments include the regeneration of the ], and the erection of the ], a skyscraper set to be the tallest tower on the island until eclipsed by the ] in Dublin.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/5251794.stm | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> | |||
| Today, Belfast is Northern Ireland's educational and commercial hub. In February 2006, Belfast's unemployment rate stood at 4.2%, lower than both the Northern Ireland<ref>{{cite web | title = Monthly Labour Market Report | publisher = Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment | date= 2006-02-15 | url = http://www.detini.gov.uk/cgi-bin/downdoc?id=1941 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> and the UK average of 5.5%.<ref> | |||
| {{cite web | title = Employment | work = National Statistics | publisher = Office of National Statistics | date= 2006-03 | url = http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=12 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> Over the past 10 years employment has grown by 16.4 per cent, compared with 9.2 per cent for the UK as a whole.<ref>{{cite news | title = From bombs and bullets to boom towns | publisher = Guardian Unlimited | date= 2007-04-01 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,,2047327,00.html | accessdate = 2007-05-16}}</ref> | |||
| Northern Ireland's ] has led to soaring property prices in the city. In 2007, Belfast saw house prices grow by 50%, the fastest rate of growth in the UK.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Northern Ireland Reaches Watershed in House Price Growth | publisher = University of Ulster | date= 2007-11-15 | url = http://news.ulster.ac.uk/releases/2007/3504.html | accessdate = 2007-12-10}}</ref> In March 2007, the average house in Belfast cost £91,819, with the average in ] being £141,000.<ref>{{cite news | last =Carson | first = Helen | title = Typical price of Ulster home edges ever closer to ]200,000 | publisher = Belfast Telegraph | date= 2007-02-28 | url = http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article2311541.ece | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> In 2004, Belfast had the lowest owner occupation rate in Northern Ireland at 54%.<ref>{{cite press release | title = House Owner Occupation Rates | publisher = Halifax | date= 2004-11-19 | url = http://www.hbosplc.com/economy/includes/19-11-04UKowneroccupation.doc | accessdate = 2007-05-18|format=DOC}}</ref> | |||
| Peace has also boosted the numbers of tourists coming to Belfast. There were 6.4 million visitors in 2005, which was a growth of 8.5% from 2004. The visitors spent £285.2 million, supporting more than 15,600 jobs.<ref>{{Citation | title = Belfast 2005: Tourism Facts and Figures | place = Belfast | publisher = Belfast City Council | year = 2006 | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism/docs/FactsFigures2005.pdf | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> Visitor numbers rose by 6% to reach 6.8 million in 2006, with tourists spending £324 million, an increase of 15% on 2005.<ref>{{cite news | title= Record number of visitors come to Belfast | work= GO Belfast | page=6 | date=July/August 2007}}</ref> The city's two airports have help make the city one of the most visited weekend destinations in Europe.<ref>{{cite web | title = Invest in Belfast: A 2007 City Guide for Investors | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/investinbelfastguide/lifequality.asp | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> | |||
| Belfast has been the fastest-growing economy of the thirty largest British cities over the past decade, a new economy report by Howard Spencer has found. ''"That's because the fundamentals of the UK economy and people actually want to invest in the UK,"'' he commented on that report.<ref>WNS </ref> | |||
| ] Radio 4's World reported furthermore that despite higher levels of corporation tax in the UK than in the Republic. There are "huge amounts" of foreign investment coming into the country.<ref>WNS http://www.wilson-nesbitt.com/articles/758/12052008/northern_ireland_an_attractive_investment_opportunity</ref> | |||
| ] wrote about Belfast's growing economy: ''According to the region's development agency, throughout the 1990’s Northern Ireland had the fastest-growing regional economy in the UK, with GDP increasing 1 per cent per annum faster than the rest of the country. As with any modern economy, the service sector is vital to Northern Ireland's development and is enjoying excellent growth. In particular, the region has a booming tourist industry with record levels of visitors and tourist revenues and has also established itself as a significant location for call centres."'' | |||
| <ref>The Times </ref> | |||
| Since the ending of the regions conflict tourism has boomed in Northern Ireland, greatly aided by low cost. | |||
| <ref>The Times </ref> | |||
| ], a German weekly magazine for politics and economy, titled Belfast as ''The New Celtic Tiger'' which is "open for business".<ref>Der Spiegel </ref> | |||
| ===Industrial growth=== | |||
| When the population of Belfast town began to grow in the seventeenth century, its economy was built on ].<ref name="Belfast, The Making of the City 1">{{cite book | last = Beckett | first = JC | coauthors = et al. | title = Belfast, The Making of the City. Chapter 1: Belfast to the end of the eighteenth century | publisher = Appletree Press Ltd | year= 2003 | location = Belfast | pages = pp13–26 | isbn = 0862818788}}</ref> It provided a market for the surrounding countryside and the natural inlet of ] gave the city its own ]. The port supplied an avenue for trade with Great Britain and later Europe and North America. In the mid-seventeenth century, Belfast exported beef, butter, hides, tallow and corn and it imported coal, cloth, wine, brandy, paper, timber and tobacco.<ref name="Belfast, The Making of the City 1"/> Around this time, the ] trade in Northern Ireland blossomed and by the middle of the eighteenth century, one fifth of all the linen exported from Ireland was shipped from Belfast.<ref name="Belfast, The Making of the City 1"/> The present city however is a product of the ].<ref name="Columbia Encyclopedia">{{cite book | title = The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. | publisher = Columbia University Press | year= 2005 | url = http://www.bartleby.com/65/be/Belfast.html}}</ref> It was not until industry transformed the linen and shipbuilding trades that the economy and the population boomed. By the turn of the nineteenth century, Belfast had transformed into the largest linen producing centre in the world,<ref name="Belfast, The Making of the City 3">{{cite book | last = Beckett | first = JC | coauthors = Boyle, E | title = Belfast, The Making of the City. Chapter 3: "Linenopolis": the rise of the textile industry | publisher = Appletree Press Ltd | year= 2003 | location = Belfast | pages = pp41–56 | isbn = 0862818788}}</ref> earning the nickname "Linenopolis". | |||
| ] postcard depicting the construction of a liner at the ] shipyard.]] Belfast harbour was dredged in 1845 to provide deeper berths for larger ships. Donegall Quay was built out into the river as the harbour was developed further and trade flourished.<ref name="Belfast, The Making of the City 4">{{cite book | last = Beckett | first = JC | coauthors = Sweetman, R | title = Belfast, The Making of the City. Chapter 4: The development of the port | publisher = Appletree Press Ltd | year= 2003 | location = Belfast | pages = 57–70 | isbn = 0862818788}}</ref> The ] shipbuilding firm was created in 1861, and by the time ] was built in Belfast in 1912 it had become the largest shipyard in the world.<ref name="Titanic In History"/> | |||
| ] plc is a British aerospace company based in Belfast. It was the first aircraft manufacturing company in the world. The company began its association with Belfast in 1936, with Short & Harland Ltd, a venture jointly owned by Shorts and Harland and Wolff. Now known as Shorts Bombardier it works as an international aircraft manufacturer located near the ].<ref name="Corporate Series">{{cite web | title = Coprorate Series Northern Ireland | work = Corporate Northern Ireland 2007 | publisher = Coprorate Series | url = http://www.corporateseries.com/nireland/07/CNI_section07.pdf | accessdate = 2007-12-07|format=PDF}}</ref> The rise of mass-produced and cotton clothing following ] were some of the factors which led to the decline of Belfast's international linen trade.<ref name="Belfast, The Making of the City 3"/> Like many British cities dependent on traditional heavy industry, Belfast suffered serious decline since the 1960s, exacerbated greatly in the 1970s and 1980s by ]. More than 100,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost since the 1970s.<ref name="Management Today">{{cite journal | title = Northern Ireland - Where is the bright new future? | journal = Management Today | date = 2006-03-23 | url = http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/542849/ | accessdate = 2007-05-16}}</ref> For several decades, Northern Ireland's fragile economy required significant public support from the ] of up to ]4 billion per year.<ref name="Management Today"/> Ongoing sectarian violence has made it difficult for Belfast to compete with Dublin's ] economy.<ref name="Management Today"/> This has meant that wage rates in Belfast and Northern Ireland now run almost 40% behind that of the Republic of Ireland. | |||
| ==Architecture== | |||
| {{main|Buildings and structures in Belfast}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| The architectural style of Belfast's buildings range from ], like the ], to modern, like ]. Many of the city's ] landmarks, including the main ''Lanyon Building'' at ] and the ], were designed by ]. | |||
| <!-- Deleted image removed: ] --> | |||
| The ] was finished in 1906 and was built to reflect Belfast’s ], granted by ] in 1888. The ] architectural influenced the ] in ], India, and ] City Hall in South Africa.<ref>{{cite book | last = Krishna | first = Dutta | title = Calcutta: A Cultural and Literary History | pages = 132 | publisher = Signal Books | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=UKfoHi5412UC&pg=PA132&dq=%22victoria+memorial%22+calcutta+belfast+-wikipedia&sig=33xuTDWVAdn7YGQvChu2PBL46wQ | year= 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/25/world/africa/25durban.html?_r=1&oref=slogin |title=Where the Road to Renaming Does Not Run Smooth |publisher=New York Times |date=2006-05-25 |accessdate=2007-10-01|author=Wines, Michael}}</ref> The dome is 173 ft (53 m) high and figures above the door state “] encouraging and promoting the Commerce and Arts of the City”.<ref name="Go To Historic Buildings">{{cite web | title = Historic Belfast: A guide to the City’s landmark buildings | publisher = Go To Belfast | url = http://www.gotobelfast.com/index.cfm/level/page/category_key/197/Page_Key/428/Parent_Key/0/type/Page/PaGeName/Historic_Buildings_of_Belfast | accessdate = 2007-05-23}}</ref> Among the city's grandest buildings are two former banks: ] in Waring Street (built in 1860) and ], in nearby Donegall Street (built in 1769). The ] in Chichester Street are home to Northern Ireland's ]. Many of Belfast's oldest buildings are found in the ] area, which is currently undergoing redevelopment as the city's main cultural and tourist area.<ref name="Cathedral Quarter"/> Windsor House, 262 ft (80 m) high, has twenty-three floors and is the tallest building (as distinct from structure) in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | last = Morgan | first = Ian | title = Ireland's tallest building to be turned into flats | publisher = 24dash.com | date= 2007-03-04 | url = http://www.24dash.com/printNews/1/17408.htm | accessdate = 2007-06-02}}</ref> Work has started on the taller ] and in 2007, plans were approved for the ]. At 37 storeys and 358 ft (109 m) high, this will surpass both previous buildings.<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast's tallest building revealed | publisher = Archiseek | date= 2007-01-19 | url = http://ireland.archiseek.com/news/2007/000024.html | accessdate = 2007-06-02}}</ref> | |||
| The ornately decorated ], designed by Joseph Anderson in 1876, in Great Victoria Street is the only bar in the UK owned by the ]. It was made internationally famous as the setting for the classic film, '']'', starring ].<ref>{{cite news | title = BBC seeks stars of Belfast film noir | publisher = BBC News Northern Ireland | date= 2007-02-23 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6388303.stm | accessdate = 2007-05-23}}</ref> The restaurant panels in the Crown Bar were originally made for Britannic, the sister ship of the ],<ref name="Go To Historic Buildings"/> built in Belfast. The ] shipyard is now the location of the world's largest ],<ref>{{cite web | title = Welcome to Belfast City | publisher = Irish News | url = http://www.irishnews.com/tourism/belfast/index.html | accessdate = 2007-05-23}}</ref> where the giant cranes, ] stand out against Belfast's skyline. | |||
| Including the ] and the ], Belfast has several other venues for performing arts. The architecture of the ] has a distinctly oriental theme and was completed in 1895. It was bombed several times during ] but has now been restored to its former glory.<ref>{{cite web | title = Grand Opera House | publisher = Cinema Treasures | url = http://cinematreasures.org/theater/2061/ | accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref> ], the only full-time producing theatre in the country, is where film star ] began his career.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4083973.stm |title=Neeson in bid to revive theatre |publisher=BBC News |date=2004-12-10 |accessdate=2007-12-07|author=BBC}}</ref> The ] (1859-1862) was originally designed for grand dances but is now used primarily as a concert and sporting venue. ], ] and ] all attended political rallies there.<ref name="Go To Historic Buildings"/> | |||
| ==Infrastructure== | |||
| Belfast saw the worst of ] in Northern Ireland, with nearly half of the total deaths in the conflict occurring in the city. However, since the ] in 1998, there has been significant ] in the ] including Victoria Square, ] and ] as well as the ] complex and the landmark ]. The city is served by two airports: The ] adjacent to Belfast Lough and ] which is near ]. ] is the main university in the city. The ] also maintains a campus in the city, which concentrates on fine art, design and architecture. | |||
| Belfast is one of the constituent cities that makes up the ] region, which has a population of just under 3 million. | |||
| ===Utilities=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Most of Belfast's water is supplied from the ] in ], created to collect water from the ].<ref>{{cite web | title = The Silent Valley | publisher = Northern Ireland Water | year= 2007 | url = http://www.niwater.com/thesilentvalley.asp | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> The rest of the city's water is sourced from ], via ''Dunore Water Treatment Works'' in County Antrim.<ref name="BMA plan">{{cite web | title = Strategic Plan Framework: Public Services and Utilities | work = Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 | publisher = The Planning Service | url = http://www.planningni.gov.uk/areaplans_policy/Plans/BMA/draft_plan/01Part1_3/03Strategic_Framework/publics_u.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> The citizens of Belfast pay for their water in their ] bill. Plans to bring in additional water tariffs have been deferred by ] in May 2007.<ref>{{cite web | title = Water Reform Implemented: Secretary of State announces deferral of charges | publisher = Water Reform NI | month= March | year= 2007 | url = http://www.waterreformni.gov.uk/ | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> Belfast has approximately 1,300 km of ], which are currently being replaced in a project costing over ]100 million and due for completion in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast Sewers Project - Key Facts | publisher = Northern Ireland Water | year= 2007 | url = http://www.niwater.com/belfastsewersproject.asp | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> | |||
| ] is responsible for transmitting electricity in Northern Ireland. Belfast's electricity comes from ] Power Station, a 520 ] dual ] and ] fired ], situated near ].<ref name="BMA plan"/> ] has been granted the licence for the transportation of natural gas across the Irish Sea from ] to supply Greater Belfast from a base station near ].<ref name="BMA plan"/> ] in Belfast (and the rest of Northern Ireland) were reformed in April 2007. The discrete ] value system means rates bills are determined by the capital value of each domestic property as assessed by the ''Valuation and Lands Agency''.<ref>{{cite web | title = Summary of domestic rating reforms | publisher = Department of Finance and Personnel | year= 2005 | url = http://www.ratingreviewni.gov.uk/index/domestic/domestic-summary.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> The recent dramatic rise in house prices has made these reforms unpopular.<ref>{{cite web | title = Domestic Rates Reform | publisher = Fair Rates Campaign | url = http://www.fairratescampaign.co.uk/rates_reform.html | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> | |||
| ===Health care=== | |||
| The ] is one of five trusts that were created on 1 April 2007 by the ]. Belfast contains most of Northern Ireland's regional specialist centres.<ref>{{cite web | title = Review Of Public Administration: Consultation On Draft Legislation To Establish Five New Integrated Health And Social Services Trusts | publisher = DHSSPS | url = http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/hpssreview-trust-consultation-document.pdf | accessdate = 2007-09-17|format=PDF}}</ref> The ] is an internationally-renowned centre of excellence in trauma care and provides specialist trauma care for all of Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Payne | first = William | title = Hospital Development:PFI beyond DBFO | journal = ProQuest Information and Learning Company | publisher = Wilmington Publishing Ltd. | date= 1998-09 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3873/is_199809/ai_n8824797/print | accessdate = 2007-05-06}}</ref> It also provides the city's specialist neurosurgical, ophthalmology, ], and dentistry services. The ] is the regional specialist centre for haematology and is home to the most modern equipped regional cancer centre in the UK.{{Failed verification|date=December 2007}}<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast Cancer Centre, Northern Ireland | publisher = Scott Wilson | url = http://www.scottwilson.com/projects/environment/landscape__urban_design/belfast_cancer_centre.aspx | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> The Mary G McGeown Regional Nephrology Unit at the ] is the kidney transplant centre and provides regional renal services for Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast City Hospital: About the Unit | publisher = The Renal Association | date= 2006-11 | url = http://www.renal.org/unit/index.pl?c=belfast | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> | |||
| ] in ] specialises in orthopaedics, rheumatology, sports medicine and rehabilitation. It is home to Northern Ireland's first Acquired Brain Injury Unit, costing ]9 million and opened by the ] and the ] in May, 2006.<ref>{{cite news | title = TRH open Northern Ireland's first Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit | publisher = The Prince of Wales | date= 2006-05-15 | url = http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/trh_open_northern_ireland_s_first_regional_acquired_brain_in_778.html | accessdate = 2007-05-06}}</ref> Other hospitals in Belfast include the ] in ] and the ]. | |||
| ===Transport=== | |||
| {{main|Transport in Belfast}} | |||
| Belfast is a relatively car-dependent city, by European standards, with an extensive road network including the ten lane ]. A recent survey of how people travel in Northern Ireland showed that people in Belfast made 77% of all journeys by car, 11% by public transport and 6% on foot.<ref name="Travel Survey">{{cite paper | author = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency | title = Travel Survey for Northern Ireland 2002-04 | publisher = Department for Regional Development | date = 2005-10-18 | url = http://www.drdni.gov.uk/statistic-details.htm?publication_id=161 | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-05-06}}</ref> It also showed that Belfast has 0.70 cars per household compared to figures of 1.18 in the East and 1.14 in the West of Northern Ireland.<ref name="Travel Survey"/> A significant road improvement-scheme in Belfast began early in 2006, with the upgrading of two junctions along the ] dual-carriageway to ] standard. The Westlink, a dual-carriageway skirting the western edge of the city Centre, connects all three Belfast motorways and often suffers from chronic congestion{{Fact|date=August 2008}}. The work will cost ]103.9 million and is scheduled for completion in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title = Westlink Upgrade | work = Road Improvements | publisher = Road Service | year= 2006 | url = http://roadimprovements.roadsni.gov.uk/index/schemes/westlink_upgrade.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-23}}</ref> Commentators have argued that this may simply create a bottleneck at York Street, the next ], until that too is upgraded (planned for 2011).<ref>{{cite web | last = Johnston | first = Wesley | title = Westlink & M1 Upgrade, Belfast | work = Northern Ireland Roads Site | url = http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a12notes.html | accessdate = 2007-05-23}}</ref> | |||
| ] are common in the city, operating on a ] basis in some areas. These, however, are outnumbered by ]. Bus and rail ] in Northern Ireland is operated by subsidiaries of ]. Bus services in the city proper and the nearer suburbs are operated by ], with services focusing on linking residential districts with the city centre on twelve ]s running along main radial roads, resulting in poor connections between different suburban areas{{Fact|date=August 2008}}. More distant suburbs are served by ]. ] provides ] along three lines running through Belfast’s northern suburbs to ] and ], eastwards towards ] and south-westwards towards ] and ]. This service is known as the ] system. Belfast also has a direct rail connection with ] called '']'' which is operated jointly by NIR and ], the state railway company of the ]. | |||
| In April 2008, the ] reported on a plan for a light-rail system, similar to ] The consultants said Belfast does not have the population to support a light rail system, suggesting that investment in bus-based rapid transit would be preferable.The study found that bus-based rapid transit produces positive economic results, but light rail does not. The report by Atkins & KPMG, however, said there would be the option of migrating to light rail in the future should the demand increase. <ref></ref> | |||
| <ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | title = City to get rapid transit network | work = BBC Northern Ireland | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7335313.stm| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> | |||
| The city has two airports: the ] offers domestic, European and transatlantic flights and is located north-west of the city, near ], while the ] is closer to the city centre, adjacent to ]. In 2005, Belfast International Airport was the 11th busiest commercial airport in the UK, accounting for just over 2% of all UK terminal passengers while the George Best Belfast City Airport was the 16th busiest and had 1% of UK terminal passengers.<ref>{{cite paper | author = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency | title = Northern Ireland Transport Statistics Annual 2005-2006 | publisher = Department for Regional Development | date = 2006-09-28 | url = http://www.drdni.gov.uk/statistic-details.htm?publication_id=170 | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-05-02}}</ref> | |||
| Belfast has a large ] which is used for exporting and importing goods, and for passenger ferry services. ] run regular routes to ] in Scotland using its HSS (High Speed Service) vessel—with a crossing time of around 90 minutes— and/or its conventional vessel—with a crossing time of around 3hrs 45 minutes. ]—formally Norse Merchant Ferries—runs a passenger/cargo ferry to and from ], with a crossing time of 8 hours and a seasonal sailing to ] is operated by the ]. | |||
| ==Culture== | |||
| {{main|Culture of Belfast}} | |||
| Belfast's population is evenly split between its ] and ] residents.<ref name="Belfast Urban Area"/> These two distinct vibrant cultural communities have both contributed significantly to the city's culture. Throughout ], Belfast artists continued to express themselves through poetry, art and music. In the period since the ] in 1998, Belfast has begun a social, economic and cultural transformation giving it a growing international cultural reputation.<ref>{{cite web | title = Summary of the bid | work = One Belfast Where Hope and History Rhyme (Internet Archive) | publisher = Imagine Belfast 2008 | date= 2002-11-22 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20021207124752/www.imaginebelfast2008.com/front.html | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> In 2003, Belfast had an unsuccessful bid for the 2008 ]. The bid was run by an independent company, ''Imagine Belfast'', who boasted that it would "make Belfast the meeting place of Europe's legends, where the meaning of history and belief find a home and a sanctuary from caricature, parody and oblivion."<ref>{{cite news | title = The official websites on UK bids for European capital of culture 2008 | publisher = The Guardian | date= 2002-10-30 | url = http://society.guardian.co.uk/regeneration/page/0,,774007,00.html | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> According to '']'' the bid may have been undermined by the ] and volatile politics.<ref>{{cite news | last = Ward | first = D | coauthors = Carter, H | title = Six cities shortlisted for culture capital bid | publisher = The Guardian | date= 2002-10-31 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,822886,00.html | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> | |||
| In 2004-05, art and cultural events in Belfast were attended by 1.8 million people (400,000 more than the previous year). The same year, 80,000 people participated in culture and arts activities, twice as many as in 2003-04.<ref name="Belfast Cultural Strategy">{{cite web | title = Integrated Cultural Strategy for Belfast | publisher = Capital City: Belfast City Councils Development Agenda | date= 2006-05 | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/culture/culturalstrategy.asp | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> A combination of relative peace, international investment and an active promotion of arts and culture is attracting more tourists to Belfast than ever before. In 2004-05, 5.9 million people visited Belfast, a 10% increase from the previous year, and spent ]262.5 million.<ref name="Belfast Cultural Strategy"/> | |||
| The ], based in Belfast, is Northern Ireland's only full-time ] and is well renowned in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1966, it has existed in its present form since 1981, when the ] Orchestra was disbanded.<ref>{{cite web | title = Welcome to the new season | publisher = Ulster Orchestra Society | url = http://www.ulster-orchestra.org.uk/concerts/welcome.html | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> The music school of Queen's University is responsible for arranging a notable series of lunchtime and evening concerts, often given by renowned musicians which are usually given in The Harty Room at the university (University Square). | |||
| Musicians and bands who have written songs about or dedicated to Belfast: | |||
| ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]. | |||
| Further in Belfast the ] Music Centre is located (Cathedral Quarter), a project founded to give young musicians and artists a place where they can share ideas and kick-start their music careers as chance to been supported and promoted by professional musicians of Northern Ireland's music-scene. | |||
| ===Media=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Belfast is the home of '']'', the oldest ] newspaper in the world still in publication.<ref>{{cite web | title = Research Guide: Irish News & Newspapers | publisher = Boston College | year= 2007 | url = http://www.bc.edu/libraries/research/guides/s-irishnews/ | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = Johnston | first = Ruth | title = Belfast News Letter | work = Your Place and Mine | publisher = BBC | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/belfast/newsletter.shtml | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> Other newspapers include the '']'' and '']'' and an Irish language daily newspaper called '']'' ({{derive|Irish|Lá Nua|New Day}}). The city also contains a number of free publications including Go Belfast, Fate magazine and the ] that are distributed through bar, cafes and public venues. | |||
| The city is the headquarters of ], the ] station ] and the commercial radio stations ] & ] Two community radio stations, ] and Irish language station ] broadcast to the city from west Belfast, as well as ] - a student-run radio station which broadcasts from ]. One of Northern Ireland's two community TV stations ] is based in the ] of the city. There are two independent cinemas in Belfast, the ] and the ], which host screenings during the ] and the ]. Also broadcasting only over the internet is the Cultural Radio Station for Northern Ireland, supporting community relations, Homely Planet.<ref></ref> | |||
| ===Movies made in Northern Ireland=== | |||
| <ref>{{cite web | title=Catalogue | url=http://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/page.asp?id=25 | work= | publisher=Northern Ireland Screen | date= | accessdate=2009-04-10}}</ref> | |||
| * ''CHERRYBOMB (2009)'' | |||
| * ''FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN (2009)'' | |||
| * ''PUMPGIRL (2009)'' | |||
| * ''FIFTY DEAD MEN WALKING (2008)'' | |||
| * ''FREAKDOG (2008)'' | |||
| * ''HUNGER (2008)'' | |||
| * ''PEACEFIRE (2008)'' | |||
| * ''WAVERIDERS (2008)'' | |||
| * ''BUY BORROW STEAL (2007)'' | |||
| * ''CITY OF EMBER (2007)'' | |||
| * ''CLOSING THE RING (2007)'' | |||
| * ''HOW ABOUT YOU (2007)'' | |||
| * ''KINGS (2007)'' | |||
| * ''PUFFBALL (2007)'' | |||
| * ''SHROOMS (2007)'' | |||
| * ''WAZ (2007)'' | |||
| ===Sports=== | |||
| {{main|Sport in Belfast}} | |||
| ] | |||
| Watching and playing sports is an important part of Belfast culture. Almost six out of ten (59%) of the adult population in ] regularly participate in one or more sports.<ref>{{cite web | title = Chapter Twelve: Sport and Recreation as an activity | work = The Organisation of Sport & Recreation in the UK | publisher = Central Council of Physical Recreation | year= 2005 | url = http://www.yorkshiresport.org.uk/ccpr/c12.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> Belfast has several notable sports teams playing a diverse variety of sports including ], ], ], and ]. The ] is run annually on May Day, and attracted 14,300 participants in 2007.<ref name="Belfast Marathon"> | |||
| {{cite web | title = Mutai wins Belfast Marathon | publisher = Belfast City Council | date= 2007-05-07 | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/news/news.asp?id=864 | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> The ], ranked 27th in September 2007 in the ],<ref>{{cite web | title = FIFA/Coca Cola World Rankings | publisher = FIFA | month= September | year= 2007 | url = http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html | accessdate = 2007-09-10}}</ref> and 1st in the FIFA rankings per capita in April 2007<ref> | |||
| {{cite web | title = List of Teams with Per Capita Factor | work = FIFA World Rankings | date= 2007-04-26 | url = http://www.fifaworldrankings.egowar.com/per_capita.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> plays its home matches in ]. The 2007-08 ] champions ] are also based at ], in the south of the city. Other teams include ] based in east Belfast, ] and ] in north Belfast and ] in west Belfast. Belfast was the home town of the renowned player ] who died in November 2005. On the day he was buried in the city, 100,000 people lined the route from his home on the Cregagh Road to Roselawn cemetery.<ref>{{cite news | last = McCann | first = Nuala | title = A city mourns for the Belfast Boy | work = BBC News Northern Ireland | publisher = BBC | date= 2005-12-03 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4495026.stm | accessdate = 2005-05-18}}</ref> Since his death the ] was named after him and a trust has been set up to fund a memorial to him in the city centre.<ref>{{cite web | title = George Best Memorial Trust | publisher = George Best Trust | url = http://www.georgebesttrust.com/ | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> | |||
| ] is the most popular spectator sport in Ireland,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gaa.ie/files/04arstat.pdf | title = Information and Statistics | work = GAA Attendance Figures | publisher = Gaelic Athletic Association ] | format=PDF | accessdate=2006-05-18}}</ref> and Belfast is home to over twenty football and ] clubs.<ref>. CLG Aontroim. Retrieved on 11 November 2007.</ref> ] in West Belfast, home to the ] county teams, has a capacity of 32,000 which makes it the second largest ] ground in ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Antrim chief in protest at Maze games | publisher = Sunday Mirror | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20050313/ai_n12944637 | accessdate = 2007-09-17}}</ref> The 2006 ] champions and 1999 ] ] play at ] in South Belfast. Belfast has four teams in rugby's ]: ] (who play at Deramore Park in south Belfast) and ] (who play at Gibson Park in south-east Belfast) are in the Second Division; and ] (Shaw's Bridge, south Belfast) and ] (south Belfast) are in the Third Division. | |||
| Belfast boasts Ireland's premier ] venue at ]. The ] cricket team plays many of its home games at this venue, which in 2006 hosted the first ever ] between Ireland and ]. In 2007, Ireland, ] and ] played a triangular series of one-day internationals at Stormont, and in 2008 the qualifying tournament for the ] was held there. At club level, Belfast has seven senior teams: ] (Shaw's Bridge, south Belfast) and ] (Stormont, east Belfast) are in Section 1 of the Northern Cricket Union League; ] (Circular Road, east Belfast), ] (Shaw's Bridge) and ] (Ballygomartin Road, west Belfast) are in Section 2; and ] (Gibson Park, south-east Belfast) and ] (Newforge Lane, south Belfast) are in Section 4. | |||
| Ireland's first professional ice hockey team, the ] play their home matches at the ], watched by up to seven thousand fans.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/northern_ireland/1852369.stm | title = Ayr Eagles win Challenge Cup | publisher = BBC | accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> The ] and ] ] teams represent Belfast in the ], competing for the ]. Other significant sportspeople from Belfast include double world snooker champion ]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4913768.stm | title = Snooker on the ropes - Hurricane | publisher = BBC | date= 2007-04-16 | accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> and world champion boxers ] and ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbaonline.com/dates/dates03.asp | title = WBA History | publisher = World Boxing Association | accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> | |||
| ==Education== | |||
| {{seealso|List of primary schools in Belfast|List of secondary schools in Belfast|List of grammar schools in Belfast}} | |||
| ] in south Belfast]] | |||
| Belfast has two universities. ] was founded in 1845 and is a member of the ], an association of 20 leading research-intensive universities in the UK.<ref>{{cite web | title = About The Russell Group: Aims and objectives | publisher = The Russell Group | year= 2007 | url = http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/about.html | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> It is one of the largest universities in the UK with 25,231 undergraduate and postgraduate students spread over 250 buildings, 120 of which are listed as being of architectural merit.<ref>{{cite web | title = About Queen's: Facts and Figures | publisher = Queen's University Belfast | year= 2007 | url = http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/TheUniversity/AboutQueens/UniversityInformation/FactsandFigures/ | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> The ], created in its current form in 1984, is a multi-centre university with a campus in the ] of Belfast. The Belfast campus has a specific focus on Art and Design and Architecture, and is currently undergoing major redevelopment. The ] campus, just seven miles (11 km) from Belfast city centre concentrates on engineering, health and social science. The Conflict Archive on the INternet (CAIN) Web Service receives funding from both universities and is a rich source of information and source material on the Troubles as well as society and politics in Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | title = Conflict and Politics in Northern Ireland (1968 to the Present) | publisher = Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN) | year= 2007 | url = http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/ | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> | |||
| ] is a large ] college with several campuses around the city. Formerly known as Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education, it specialises in ]. The college has over 53,000 students enrolled on full-time and part-time courses, making it one of the largest further education colleges in the UK.<ref>{{cite web | title = Belfast Metropolitan College - About Us | publisher = Belfast Metropolitan College | year= 2007 | url = http://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/aboutus/ | accessdate = 2007-12-12}}</ref> | |||
| The ] was established in 1973 as the local authority responsible for education, youth and library services within the city.<ref>{{cite web | title = About Us: The Roles and Functions of the Belfast Education and Library Board | publisher = Belfast Education and Library Board | year= 2003 | url = http://www.belb.org.uk/aboutus/ | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> There are 184 ], ] and ] schools in the city.<ref>{{cite web | title = Schools Database - List of Institutions | publisher = Department of Education | url = http://www.denidata.nics.gov.uk/appinstitutes/instmain.aspx | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> | |||
| The ] is also located in Belfast. | |||
| ==Tourism== | |||
| ], the American travel guidebook series, listed Belfast as the only ] destination in its ''Top 12 Destinations to Visit'' in 2009. The other listed destinations were ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/3883369/Belfast-one-of-worlds-top-destinations.html Telegraph article; Belfast makes the Top 12</ref> | |||
| To further enhance the tourist industry in Northern Ireland, the Belfast City Council is currently investing into the complete redevelopment of the Titanic Quarter, which is planned to consist of apartments, hotels, a riverside entertainment district, and a major Titanic-themed attraction. They also hope to invest in a new modern transport system (high-speed rail and others) for Belfast, with a cost of £250 million.<ref> | |||
| </ref> | |||
| ==Twin cities== | |||
| Belfast is ] with:<ref name="sisters">"." ''.'' Retrieved on 26 March 2007.</ref> | |||
| *{{flagicon|United States}} ''']''' | |||
| * {{flagicon|Germany}} ''']''', Germany | |||
| *{{flagicon|China}} ''']''', China<ref name="sisters2">"." ''.'' Retrieved on 19 February 2008.</ref> | |||
| *{{flagicon|South Korea}} ], ] | |||
| == References == | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| </div> | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| * Beesley, S. and Wilde, J. 1997. ''Urban Flora of Belfast''. Institute of Irish Studies & The Queen's University of Belfast. | |||
| * Deane, C.Douglas. 1983. ''The Ulster Countryside.'' Century Books. ISBN 0903152177 | |||
| * Nesbitt, Noel. 1982. ''The Changing Face of Belfast.'' Ulster Museum, Belfast. Publication no. 183. | |||
| * Gillespie, R. 2007. ''Early Belfast.'' Belfast Natural History & Philosophical Society in Association with Ulster Historical Foundation. ISBN 978-1-903688-72-4. | |||
| * Walker,B.M. and Dixon,H. 1984. ''Early Photoraphs from the Lawrence Collection in Belfast Town 1864 - 1880.'' The Friar's Bush Press, ISBN 0946872 | |||
| * Walker, B.M. and Dixon, H. 1983. ''No Mean City: Belfast 1880 - 1914.'' ISBN 0 946872 00 7. | |||
| * Nesbitt N. 1982. ''The Changing Face of Belfast.'' Ulster Museum Belfast, publication no. 183. | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{commons|Belfast}} | |||
| *{{dmoz|Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/Northern_Ireland/Belfast}} | |||
| * | |||
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| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * - public service portal | |||
| * | |||
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| * {{wikitravel}} | |||
| * Travel, Weather, News, Video, Photos, History etc. | |||
| * An illustrated history, circa 1913 | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * . | |||
| * | |||
| <br> | |||
| {{Northern_Ireland}} | |||
| {{IrishCities}} | |||
| {{List of British Territories capitals}} | |||
| {{UK cities}} | |||
| {{LargestUKCities}} | |||
| {{Outdoor sculptures in Belfast}} | |||
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