Investment Immigration to the UK Learn about UK cities: Belfast is located at the mouth of the River Lagan on the northeast coast of the island of Ireland, on the southwestern side of Belfast Lough. It was established in 1888 and became the capital of Northern Ireland in 1920. The current population is approximately 280,000, with a metropolitan area of about 580,000, making it the political and cultural center and the largest industrial city in Northern Ireland.
Belfast has a temperate maritime climate, characterized by cloudy, rainy, and foggy weather, especially in winter. Located in a high latitude area, summers are cool. The city is influenced by the North Atlantic Drift, making it milder and more humid than central continental areas at the same latitude. The average annual temperature is about 9-19 degrees Celsius. The average high tide is 3.5 meters, and the average low tide is 3 meters.
The Belfast Festival, held every November, is one of the few large arts festivals in the UK. The Waterfront Hall, Grand Opera House, and Ulster Hall host various artistic performances throughout the year. The upstairs of the Empire Music Hall is one of the best music venues in Belfast and is very attractive. The bar downstairs is also a great place to enjoy drinks and listen to various types of music.
Notable institutions such as Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University are located in the city.
"Belfast" comes from the Irish language, meaning "the mouth of the River Farset that flows through this area." However, today, this river has been buried beneath Bridge Street, and the River Lagan has become the most important river in the area.
It is worth noting that, unlike other UK cities, Belfast does not have an independent administrative district but is located between County Antrim and County Down.
Belfast has a strong industrial base, with a long history in shipbuilding. The Harland and Wolff shipyard built the fastest and most luxurious ship in the world, the Titanic, and is also an important port at the mouth of the River Lagan.
Many people are apprehensive about visiting Northern Ireland—some still linger in the shadow of the Irish Republican Army. In fact, the situation today is much better than before; it feels similar to how foreigners talk about our Cultural Revolution. Urban development in Belfast has been very active, with cinemas, theaters, and more. Hospitality is a tradition among the people of Belfast. The bars feature both traditional folk music and modern jazz, blues, and rock music. The local Caffrey's ale is considered the essence of Belfast beer. Over the past 30 years, Belfast has experienced several sectarian conflicts, but public safety has significantly improved in recent years.
One of the more famous buildings is Belfast Castle, which overlooks the city and evokes memories of the glorious Victorian era. The Waterfront Hall is a cultural flagship of Northern Ireland, located in the city center by the River Lagan, and its concert hall and conference center attract artists from around the world to perform each year. There are also many antiques, craft shops, and bars from that era.
Thirteen U.S. presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant, and Woodrow Wilson, are descendants of Belfast residents.
The Giant's Causeway is located by the sea and is a causeway mostly made up of hexagonal (as well as pentagonal and other shapes) stones extending into the sea. Its wonder lies in the fact that these regular stones are smooth yet uneven, resembling a man-made model. In reality, 50 million years ago, volcanic lava erupted here, cooling and contracting to form columns. The rock columns have been eroded by ocean waves, truncated at different heights, thus forming a stepped arrangement.
Northern Ireland has several ferry terminals, making travel between the islands very convenient. The area of Belfast Harbour is 146 hectares, with a total quay length of about 13 kilometers.
There are two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport, located 20 miles from the city center. There are flights connecting almost all major cities in the UK. The route from Belfast to London is one of the busiest air corridors in Europe, with about 16 round-trip flights daily.
Buses, trains, and ferries are also convenient and economical modes of transportation, connecting various towns in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The public buses and railways throughout Northern Ireland are operated by the government-owned Translink. Routes mainly depart from the Europa Buscentre and Laganside Buscentre in Belfast.
Railways often have promotional prices; for example, on Sundays, you can travel unlimited times to any station in Northern Ireland for just £3. Or on certain routes at specific times, if two people travel together and confirm they will return on the same day, they can buy a "Two for One" ticket. However, train schedules may change during certain periods, so it is advisable to pay attention.
Everywhere you go, you can see countless traditional handicrafts. You can visit the Belleek Pottery to admire and purchase exquisite handmade products. Before leaving, don't forget to buy a bodhran to learn how to play the drum. If you want to enjoy Waterford, be sure to visit the local crystal glass factory. In Northern Ireland, you can find famous linen products at the Irish Linen Centre in Lisburn. In craft shops and factories across the country, you can find clothing made from coarse linen and handmade pure wool garments.
Traditional Irish music and dance are beloved by people around the world. The melodies accompany your journey, and you may encounter street performers playing gentle notes from large speakers. In clubs and bars, you can enjoy modern dance music or traditional tunes.
At the opera house, performances by outstanding composers are filled with romantic charm. The modern Waterfront Hall, along with the quaint Grand Opera House and Ulster Hall, hosts various musical and theatrical performances throughout the year.
Family meals primarily consist of potatoes, vegetables, and beef, with bread being one of the staples. There are many ways to cook potatoes, and vegetables are mainly boiled. The most famous British food—fish and chips—is also representative of Northern Ireland. Many local fast-food restaurants or street vendors offer a variety of delicious dishes made with potatoes.
There are also many restaurants of different nationalities and styles, with the most being Chinese restaurants, perhaps because the Chinese are the largest foreign population in Northern Ireland. In recent years, due to the increase in foreign residents, there have been significant changes in the food scene, incorporating French, Italian, and other culinary styles into the traditional base.
When it comes to whiskey, people naturally think of Scotland; however, the world's first registered trademark whiskey distillery is located in Northern Ireland, named Old Bushmills. "Guinness" is a dark, bitter beer created by the Guinness family and is a source of pride for the Irish. This beer is brewed from roasted barley and is very nutritious; even weak patients can use it as a supplement.
Today, Belfast is actively attracting foreign investment to develop emerging high-tech industries, injecting new vitality into the city. It has transformed into a cultural and tourist city, with a museum dedicated to documenting Irish cultural heritage.
Although many Irish people emigrated to the United States and New Zealand in the 18th and 19th centuries, their ancestral farms have been preserved. The surrounding areas can be visited to see the hometowns of four U.S. presidents. You can explore the ancient city walls and trace the origins of Belfast. The century-old Irish pubs are the best choice for enjoying GUINNESS and listening to Irish music, with two great century-old Irish pubs located opposite the Victory ST train station exit.
The newly built dock at the Musgrave Channel can accommodate vessels with a deadweight tonnage of 100,000 tons. Oil docks can also berth at night. The main export goods include machinery, scrap metal, textiles, gasoline, ships, bacon, eggs, ham, and livestock, while the main imports include coal, fertilizers, building materials, grains, fruits, timber, crude oil, feed, and chemicals.
Currently, there are approximately over 6,000 Chinese people in Belfast, accounting for about 1% of the metropolitan area population, among which more than 3,000 have become local voters and businesspeople, while the rest are mostly international students.
