Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, located where the River Lagan meets Belfast Lough. The local government district covers the central city and surrounding neighbourhoods on both sides of the river. City Hall stands in Donegall Square and serves as the council chamber; St George’s Market is on East Bridge Street. Transport hubs include Great Victoria Street and Lanyon Place stations, and the port remains active for freight and ferry links. The street pattern moves from a compact centre to residential terraces, with industrial sites along the river and docklands to the east.
The eastern docklands contain the former Harland and Wolff yard, where the ramps used to launch large ships remain visible and the Samson and Goliath cranes mark the skyline. The Titanic Quarter sits on reclaimed lands adjacent to the shipyard. South and west of the centre are university campuses and parkland, while north and west include residential districts and community centres. Local culture reflects a long history of linen production, shipbuilding and trade, with murals, clubs and markets that trace that industrial past.
