Cardiff : Brief Background | Cardiff - Capital of Wales Articles

By: Cardiff Council

Cardiff is a modern city with over 320,000 inhabitants established on the incredible wealth of a vast coal empire which is, through imaginative re-development, fast becoming one of Europe's finest maritime cities surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.

Cardiff is recognised for its quality of life featuring amongst the best of British cities. Its residents live in pleasant suburbs yet are only 10 or 15 minutes from the city centre travelling by private or public transport. Many of the suburbs still offer the pleasure of a village atmosphere.

Cardiff's parks and leisure gardens are world famous - 1,200 of them. Uniquely Cardiff's parks extend to within yards of the city centre shopping area. Bute Park grew out of the grounds of Cardiff Castle and world acclaimed Roath Park and Lake are frequently visited by tourists and residents alike.

Fascinating Edwardian arcades and a Victorian covered market intermix with upto date modern shopping precints in the heart of the city gives Cardiff one of the finest shopping centres in Great Britain.

Cardiff's world renowned Civic centre, which never fails to impress visitors to the city, houses government offices, law courts, museum and university campus. One of the prime buildings being City Hall which was the venue for the European Council in June 1998.

The Welsh capital is a hive of cultural activity with music and drama top of the bill. Cardiff is also a city of festivals including a month long summer street festival, "Music in the Bay" events and the well established and respected "Cardiff Singer of the World" competition held in St David's Hall.

Cardiff offers tourists the opportunity to sample Wales, the fabled "Land of Song" with its mystic castles, soaring mountains, lush valleys and spectacular coastline all within easy travelling distance.

Set in the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle is the jewel in the crown featuring Roman and Norman fortification and the magnificent lodgings that were rebuilt in the 19th century, the castle grounds are also home to The Welsh Regiment Museum and The Queen's Dragoon Guards Museum.

Cardiff is a sporting city, which in recent years has widened its range of activities and facilities. Famous as a hot bed of rugby, other sports also feature including being home to one of Britains's top ice hockey teams.

In 1999 Cardiff hosted the Rugby world Cup Final at the impressive Millennium Stadium. The stadium incorporates a sliding roof and is located a stone's throw from other city centre attractions such as shops, museum, castle and theatres.