The capital and largest habitation in Wales is Cardiff with a population of over 317,000 spread out over an area of 54 sq miles. Cardiff has had city status since 1905 when rapid expansion due to the need transport the coal mined elsewhere in Wales resulted in a huge rise in population. Cardiff has been capital of Wales since 1955 (taking over from traditional capital Caernarfon) and is the 14th largest settlement in the UK.

Cardiff is positioned on the South coast of Wales near Barry, and is the most populous part of Wales famous for trading, seafaring and coal transportation.

The National Assembly for Wales is positioned in Cardiff bay, and was inaugurated in 1999 and has devolved power over issues such as culture, fishing, agriculture, tourism, transport and housing. The Assembly comprises 60 members called AMs from the Welsh ‘Aelod y Cynulliad’.

Cardiff Castle is a medieval stone keep built on the site of Roman settlements by the Normans, while a Victorian mansion was added in 1868. Cardiff Castle is a noted and well loved tourist attraction in Bute Park.

Sights in Cardiff include the Millennium Stadium, Llandraff Cathedral, St David’s Hall and Cardiff University.