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Cardiff (Caerdydd) is a vibrant city and the capital of Wales. It is a fairly young European capital: its capital status dates from 1955, only 50 years after it was made a city. It was chosen in part for its important coastal dock trade, its convenient location, its strong civic base, and its position as the most populated area within Wales. Geographically the city sits on the south coast of Wales, facing out towards the Bristol Channel. It enjoys good rail links, its own airport and easy road connections leading directly to London via the M4 motorway.
Cardiff Castle watches protectively over the city from its position along the River Taff, standing as testament to the area’s long history as a Roman outpost, later Norman town and significant Victorian revival. It was during the 19th century that Cardiff really blossomed. It was John Crichton-Stuart, the 2nd Marquess of Bute, who saw the potential of the coal and iron ore trade and in 1839 built the city’s first dock: Bute West. Trade expanded to the extent that at one point during the early 1900s Cardiff was the world’s largest coal exporter. However, the importance of the docks declined significantly during the 20th century and Cardiff’s growth in civic importance and tourism in recent years has now surpassed its industrial strength.
The city has become more prominent in recent years with the regeneration of the Cardiff Bay dock area and the creation of the Welsh Assembly. The ever-increasing reputations of the University of Cardiff (Prifysgol Caerdydd) and the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) have significantly bolstered Cardiff’s academic standing. The city centre has enjoyed a considerable regeneration, with several areas almost completely unrecognisable as this former industrial town cements its elevated 21st century status. At the same time, Cardiff is still compact enough that all the major sights and shops are within walking distance of each other. Even the stylishly reborn Cardiff Bay area is only a mile from the heart of the city. It is no surprise that Cardiff has become the most popular visitor destination in Wales.
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Cardiff Castle watches protectively over the city from its position along the River Taff, standing as testament to the area’s long history as a Roman outpost, later Norman town and significant Victorian revival. It was during the 19th century that Cardiff really blossomed. It was John Crichton-Stuart, the 2nd Marquess of Bute, who saw the potential of the coal and iron ore trade and in 1839 built the city’s first dock: Bute West. Trade expanded to the extent that at one point during the early 1900s Cardiff was the world’s largest coal exporter. However, the importance of the docks declined significantly during the 20th century and Cardiff’s growth in civic importance and tourism in recent years has now surpassed its industrial strength.
The city has become more prominent in recent years with the regeneration of the Cardiff Bay dock area and the creation of the Welsh Assembly. The ever-increasing reputations of the University of Cardiff (Prifysgol Caerdydd) and the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) have significantly bolstered Cardiff’s academic standing. The city centre has enjoyed a considerable regeneration, with several areas almost completely unrecognisable as this former industrial town cements its elevated 21st century status. At the same time, Cardiff is still compact enough that all the major sights and shops are within walking distance of each other. Even the stylishly reborn Cardiff Bay area is only a mile from the heart of the city. It is no surprise that Cardiff has become the most popular visitor destination in Wales.