TaffNet - Cardiff

CARDIFF, Wales.

The capital of Wales since 1955, Cardiff had barely 1,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the 19th century. However, it became for several decades the world's leading coal-exporting port at the beginning of the 20th century.

Located on the Bristol Channel at the mouth of the River Taff in southeastern Wales, Cardiff is Wales's largest city and serves as its leading commercial, communications, and industrial center as well as the home of many national organizations and government departments. The coal trade declined rapidly after World War I, but the port has modern facilities for handling timber, petroleum, and such diverse cargoes as fruit, grain, and mineral ores.

Cardiff's notable buildings include Cardiff Castle, which combines a fortified hill from 1093, a late 12th-century fortress, and colorful 19th-century restoration; the cathedral at Llandaff, since 1922 part of Cardiff, that was heavily damaged during World War II; St. John's Church, dating mainly from 1453; and a complex of public buildings in Cathays Park, the city's civic center, built since 1904. Set among 440 acres (180 hectares) of park are the city hall, law courts, University College of South Wales, and the National Museum of Wales. The Welsh Folk Museum is at St. Fagan's, some 4 miles (6 kilometers) west of the city center. The city's airport is at Rhoose, 12 miles (19 kilometers) west of Cardiff.

The Romans settled in what is now Cardiff in about AD 75. The Normans arrived 700 years later, and on the site of the old Roman fort the Norman landowner Robert FitzHamon built Cardiff Castle in 1093. A town grew up around the castle, with 2,000 inhabitants by the late 13th century. The town came into the hands of Henry VII and in 1551 was presented by Edward VI to Sir William Herbert. It remained in the possession of the Herberts and their descendants, the marquesses of Bute. Later development of Cardiff was closely associated with the Bute family, who spent vast sums on restorations of the castle and gave adjoining land for the civic center. The castle and attached park were given to the city in 1948.

Population (1981 census), 266,267.