| Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland
and the seat of the legislative assembly in Northern Ireland. It
is the largest urban area in the Irish province of Ulster, and the
second largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin. The City
of Belfast has a population of 267,500 and lies at the heart of
Metropolitan Belfast, which has a population of 483,418.
Belfast is a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher
education and business and is the economic engine of Northern
Ireland. The city suffered greatly during the period of disruption
and conflict called the Troubles, but recently has undergone a
sustained period of calmness and substantial economic and commercial
growth. Belfast city centre has undergone considerable expansion
and regeneration in recent years, with the newly developed Victoria
Square area attracting international attention.
Belfast is served by two airports: Belfast International Airport
to the north-west of the city, and George Best Belfast City Airport
in the east of the city. The city is also a major seaport, 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
with a population of 3 million, comprising of half the total population
of the island of Ireland.
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