# Cardiff

> capital city of Wales, United Kingdom

**Wikidata**: [Q10690](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10690)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cardiff

## Summary
Cardiff is the capital city and largest city of Wales, which is a constituent country of the United Kingdom. It serves as the country's chief political, economic, and cultural centre.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cardiff is a city and a large human settlement.
*   **Status:** It is the capital city of Wales and the county town of the historic county of Glamorgan.
*   **Area:** The city covers an area of 140.3 square kilometres.
*   **Population:** The estimated population was 361,469 in 2016 and 383,536 in 2023.
*   **Coordinates:** It is located at 51.48166666666667° N, -3.1791666666666667° W.
*   **Inception:** The city's recorded history dates back to 1081.
*   **Named After:** The city is named after the River Taff.
*   **Official Names:** Its official names are "Caerdydd" (Welsh) and "Cardiff" (English).
*   **Demonym:** A resident of Cardiff is called a Cardiffian.
*   **Country:** Cardiff is located within the United Kingdom.
*   **Timezone:** It operates on Greenwich Mean Time.
*   **Local Dialing Code:** The local telephone area code is 029.
*   **Postal Code:** The city's postal code area is "CF".
*   **Licence Plate Codes:** Vehicle registration plates for Cardiff use codes CA, CB, CC, CD, CE, CF, CG, CH, CJ, CK, CL, CM, CN, and CO.
*   **Official Languages:** The official languages are Welsh and English.
*   **Motto:** The city's motto is "Deffro! Mae'n Ddydd!" (Awake! It is day!).
*   **Elevation:** The city's average elevation is 41 metres above sea level.
*   **Borders:** It shares a border with Llantrisant.
*   **Located In/Bodies of Water:** It is located on the River Taff and near the Bristol Channel and River Ely.
*   **Historic County:** It is part of the historic county of Glamorgan.
*   **Instance Of:** It is an instance of a "big city" and the "largest city" in Wales.
*   **Capital Of:** It is the capital of Wales, Glamorgan, and Cardiff (as a principal area).
*   **Twin/Sister Cities:** Cardiff is twinned with Stuttgart (since 1955), Nantes (since 1963), Luhansk (since 1959), Xiamen (since 1983), Vigevano, Bari, Pernik, and Hordaland (since 1996).
*   **Websites:** Official sites include `https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/` (English) and `https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/CYM/Hafan/` (Welsh), plus the tourism site `https://www.visitcardiff.com/`.
*   **Subreddit:** The official subreddit is r/Cardiff, created on 2010-01-31.
*   **UN/LOCODE:** Its United Nations location code is GBCDF.
*   **Significant Event:** The city was the site of the historical Siege of Cardiff.

## FAQs
**What is Cardiff's role in Wales?**
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, making it the seat of the Welsh Government and the Senedd (Welsh Parliament). It is the primary administrative, political, and economic hub for the country.

**How large is Cardiff?**
Cardiff covers an area of 140.3 square kilometres. Its population has grown from an estimated 361,469 in 2016 to 383,536 in 2023, confirming its status as Wales' largest city.

**What are Cardiff's official languages?**
Welsh and English are both official languages of Cardiff, reflecting Wales' bilingual heritage. The city's name itself is bilingual: "Cardiff" in English and "Caerdydd" in Welsh.

**What bodies of water is Cardiff associated with?**
The city is built on the banks of the River Taff. It is also situated near the estuary of the River Ely and fronts the Bristol Channel, which has been crucial to its development as a major port.

**Is Cardiff an old or new city?**
Cardiff has a long history, with its inception recorded as 1081. However, its major growth and development, particularly as a global port, occurred during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.

**What are Cardiff's key international connections?**
Cardiff maintains formal twinning relationships with eight cities across Europe and Asia, including Stuttgart (Germany), Nantes (France), and Xiamen (China), fostering cultural and economic exchanges.

## Why It Matters
Cardiff matters fundamentally as the capital of Wales, a constituent nation of the UK. It is the centre of Welsh political life, housing the devolved government and parliament. Economically, it is the engine of the Welsh economy, historically built on coal exports from its world-famous port and now diversified into finance, business services, media production (notably BBC Cymru Wales and S4C), and tourism. Culturally, it is a focal point for Welsh language and arts, hosting major national institutions like the National Museum Cardiff, the Wales Millennium Centre, and the Principality Stadium. Its strategic location on the Bristol Channel has made it a significant maritime gateway for centuries. The city's transformation from an industrial port to a modern European capital exemplifies post-industrial regeneration, making it a case study in urban renewal and a vital connector between Wales and the global stage.

## Notable For
*   **Sole Capital:** It is the only city designated as the capital of Wales.
*   **Political Centre:** It is the home of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) and the Welsh Government.
*   **Largest City:** It is the most populous city in Wales.
*   **Historic Port:** It was once the world's largest coal-exporting port, a cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution.
*   **Cultural Hub:** It hosts major national cultural venues, including the Wales Millennium Centre and the National Museum.
*   **Sporting Venue:** It is home to the Principality Stadium, a key venue for international rugby and other events.
*   **Media Centre:** It is a primary base for Welsh-language broadcasting (S4C) and BBC operations in Wales.
*   **Bilingual Identity:** It prominently features both Welsh and English in its official life, signage, and place names (Caerdydd/Cardiff).
*   **Regenerated Waterfront:** Its Cardiff Bay area is a flagship example of 20th-century urban regeneration.
*   **Educational Centre:** It hosts several major universities, including Cardiff University.

## Body

### Geography & Location
Cardiff is situated in the south-east of Wales on the flat reclaimed land of the Bristol Channel estuary. Its geography is defined by the River Taff, which flows through the city centre, and the River Ely to the west. The city's coordinates are 51.48166666666667° N, -3.1791666666666667° W. It has an area of 140.3 square kilometres and an average elevation of 41 metres above sea level. It shares a border with the town of Llantrisant and is part of the historic county of Glamorgan. The city's location map is available at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Cardiff_UK_map.svg`. Its relief and locator maps are also documented.

### Governance & Administration
Cardiff is a principal area and county of Wales, governed by the Cardiff Council. It is the capital of Wales, housing the Welsh Government and the Senedd. The city's official websites are `https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/Home/` (English) and `https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/CYM/Hafan/` (Welsh). The city's coat of arms is depicted at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Coat_of_Arms_of_Cardiff.svg`, and its flag is at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Cardiff.svg`. The city's motto is "Deffro! Mae'n Ddydd!". Vehicle registration plates for the area use multiple series including CA, CF, and CG.

### Demographics
Cardiff is the largest city in Wales. Population data shows:
*   361,469 (2016 estimate)
*   383,536 (2023 preferred estimate)
The demonym for a resident is "Cardiffian". The city's native labels are "Cardiff" and "Caerdydd".

### History & Development
The city's inception is recorded as 1081. A significant historical event was the Siege of Cardiff. Its development was profoundly shaped by the Industrial Revolution, becoming the world's largest coal-exporting port in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city is named after the River Taff.

### Infrastructure & Transportation
The local dialing code is 029. The postal code area is "CF". The UN/LOCODE for Cardiff is GBCDF. The city is well-connected via road and rail, with the mainline railway station being Cardiff Central.

### Culture & Identity
The official languages are Welsh and English. The city's cultural landscape is rich, with the Wales Millennium Centre and the National Museum Cardiff being key institutions. The city's panoramic and nighttime views are well-documented in media. The city has a significant Welsh-language presence, with its Welsh name "Caerdydd" used officially.

### Media & Digital Presence
Cardiff has a substantial digital footprint. Its Wikipedia article exists in over 200 languages. It has an official subreddit (r/Cardiff, created 2010-01-31) and a GitHub topic (`cardiff`). The city is covered by major news outlets, with a BBC Things ID (`ede5b66b-64b5-4cbb-b9b0-06f10550dfbd`). Its Commons gallery is "Cardiff / Caerdydd".

### International Relations & Twinning
Cardiff maintains active twinning relationships with eight cities:
*   **Stuttgart, Germany** (twinned since 1955)
*   **Nantes, France** (twinned since 1963)
*   **Luhansk, Ukraine** (twinned since 1959)
*   **Xiamen, China** (twinned since 1983)
*   **Vigevano, Italy**
*   **Bari, Italy**
*   **Pernik, Bulgaria**
*   **Hordaland, Norway** (twinned since 1996)

### Identifiers & Authority Records
Cardiff is catalogued in numerous global authority files and gazetteers. Key identifiers include:
*   **Wikidata:** Q1863
*   **GeoNames:** 2653822
*   **VIAF:** 154757441
*   **GND (German National Library):** 4085151-5
*   **Library of Congress:** n79063889
*   **BnF (France):** 12035077v
*   **National Library of Wales:** cardiff-wales-2 (and related authority IDs)
*   **OpenStreetMap:** Node 738885245, Relation 1625787
*   **UN/LOCODE:** GBCDF
*   **WOEID (Yahoo!):** 15127
*   **Freebase:** /m/01s3v
*   **BabelNet:** 00015957n
*   **WordNet 3.1 Synset:** 08915613-n
*   **MusicBrainz Area:** f0b226db-8e22-40e6-9a53-d839cfec6228
*   **Getty TGN:** 7008742
*   **WorldCat Entities:** E39PBJtMqWCmxgggmgX6cMmDbd
*   **Who's On First:** 101750397
*   **And many others** (SNK, YSA, YSO, IdRef, etc.)

### Visual & Media Assets
The city is represented by numerous images and maps:
*   **Montage Image:** `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Cardiffmontage3.jpg`
*   **Aerial View:** `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Cardiff_northern_residential.jpg`
*   **Panoramic Views:** Multiple, including `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Panorama_of_Cardiff_Bay_from_Harbour_View_Road,_Penarth._-_geograph.org.uk_-_327334.jpg` (preferred).
*   **Night View:** `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Cardiff_at_night_-_Caerdydd_gyda'r_nos_(28723872084).jpg`
*   **Location Maps:** Various, including `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Cardiff_in_Wales.svg` (preferred locator).
*   **Page Banner:** `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Cardiff_Wikivoyage_Banner.jpg`
*   **Coat of Arms:** `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Coat_of_Arms_of_Cardiff.svg`
*   **Flag:** `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Cardiff.svg`
*   **Pronunciation Audio:** Available in Welsh (`Caerdydd.ogg`) and German (`De-Cardiff.ogg`).

### Related Topics & Categories
Cardiff is the central topic for numerous Wikipedia categories and related articles, including:
*   **Category:Cardiff** (main category)
*   **Category:Births in Cardiff**
*   **Category:Deaths in Cardiff**
*   **Category:People from Cardiff**
*   **Category:Views of Cardiff**
*   **Category:Maps of Cardiff**
*   **Geography of Cardiff**
*   **Economy of Cardiff**
*   **Category:Cardiff** on Commons.
The topic's main category is "Category:Cardiff". The city is also the subject of entries in encyclopedias like *The Nuttall Encyclopædia*, *Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition*, and *National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan*.

### External Links & Portals
*   **Visit Cardiff (Tourism):** `https://www.visitcardiff.com/`
*   **Cardiff Council:** `https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/`
*   **Cardiff Open Data Portal:** Referenced as "Cardiff open data".
*   **Google Maps Place:** Has a dedicated customer ID (`1455796118918424334`).
*   **TripAdvisor:** ID 186460.
*   **Curlie Directory:** `Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/Wales/Cardiff/`.

## References

1. Gazetteer
2. [Source](http://archive.cardiff.gov.uk/Government/english/Cabinet_Papers/99_12_08_Cab/Reports/cab8decinterlinks.pdf)
3. [Source](https://www.stuttgart.de/leben/internationale-beziehungen/stuttgarts-partnerstaedte/cardiff.php)
4. [Source](http://english.w3.lg.ua/about-the-city/partner-cities/38-twin)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://autority.snk.sk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-authoritiesdetail.pl?authid=90574)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. MusicBrainz
9. [Source](https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Population-and-Migration/Population/Estimates/Local-Authority/populationestimates-by-localauthority-year)
10. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
11. [List of Standardised Welsh Place-names](https://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru/enwau-lleoedd-safonol-cymru)
12. GeoNames
13. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gb.htm)
14. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
15. Quora
16. [Cardiff - Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cardiff/@51.4999678,-3.1861696,12z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x486e02d434ec53f5:0x143406db6586670e!8m2!3d51.483707!4d-3.1680962!16zL20vMDFzM3Y?entry=ttu)
17. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
18. [Source](https://www.bbc.com/things/)
19. General Finnish Ontology
20. museum-digital