Belfast is the capital of, and largest city in, Northern Ireland..

By population, it is the fourteenth largest city in the United Kingdom and second largest on the island of Ireland. It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly. The county borough of Belfast was created when it was granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1888, the city continues to be viewed as straddling County Antrim and County Down Belfast is a city which grew during the industrial revolution with flourishing linen, ropemaking, and shipbuilding industries. Most heavy industry has been replaced by services, technology and tourism in this modern day. The city is flanked to the northwest by a series of hills, including Cavehill. Belfast is located at the western end of Belfast Lough and at the mouth of the River Lagan making it an ideal location for the shipbuilding industry that once made it famous. When the Titanic was built in Belfast in 1911/1912, Harland and Wolff had the largest shipyard in the world. Historically, Belfast has been a centre for the Irish linen industry (earning the nickname "Linenopolis"), tobacco production, rope-making and shipbuilding. Belfast played a key role in the Industrial Revolution, establishing its place as a global industrial centre until the latter half of the 20th century. Belfast has been the capital of Northern Ireland since its establishment in 1921 following the Government of Ireland Act 1920. It had been the scene of various episodes of sectarian conflict between its Catholic and Protestant populations Today, Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher education and business, a legal centre, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. The city suffered greatly during the period of conflict called the Troubles, but latterly has undergone a sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years, and substantial economic and commercial growth. Belfast city centre has undergone considerable expansion and regeneration in recent years, notably around Victoria Square.

Belfast is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport in the city, and Belfast International Airport 15 miles (24 km) west of the city. Belfast is also a major port, with commercial and industrial docks dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline, including the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard. Belfast is a constituent city of the Dublin-Belfast corridor, which has a population of three million, or half the total population of the island of Ireland. Along with its industrial side, Belfast has much Victorian elegance to see as well as modern buildings and conveniences :

The Albert Memorial Clock was erected in 1865 to commemorate Queen Victorias consort, Prince Albert is built on land reclaimed from the River Lagan. The clock leans slightly and has been called Belfast's "leaning tower of Pisa."

Belfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. Plans for the City Hall began in 1888 when Belfast was awarded city status by Queen Victoria.

The Titanic Memorial stands on the side of city hall.

The Grand Opera House of Belfast was built in 1895, and has delivered an unrivalled program of entertainment, playing host to some of the greatest names in theatre and music. It became the first building in Belfast to be listed as being of historical and architectural importance, and was acquired by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in 1976.

Saint George's Market is one of Belfasts oldest attractions. It was built between 1890 and 1896 and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland

It has a breathtaking urban design with four floors and a central communications area to take shoppers to different levels including a viewing gallery at the top from which to view the city.

Stormont Estate and Parliament building is the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive.

A close up of the sculpture. Belfast is a very walkable city and while I took the "hop on hop off bus" to see some of the sights much of it I saw by foot. I'll show you more interesting sights in my next few posts...the historical pubs, some of the inside of city hall, and a library that dates back to 1788, and the remaining traces of the "Troubles" that has unfortunately plagued the city. Belfast Port