Belfast, city and seaport, capital of Northern Ireland, eastern Northern Ireland, on the Lagan River, at the head of Belfast Lough (an inlet of the North Channel of the Irish Sea). Belfast is a major commercial and industrial city. It is one of the most important shipbuilding and repairing centers of the United Kingdom and has long been known for its linen textiles. Its manufactures include aircraft, guided weapons, and tobacco and food products. A large petroleum refinery here is supplied by imported petroleum received at the city's deepwater port. Other imports include grain, coal, chemicals, and iron and steel. Among the chief exports are petroleum products, soap, foodstuffs, and textiles. Located in Belfast are the notable Ulster Museum (1892) and the Protestant Cathedral of Saint Anne. An educational center, the city is the seat of Queen's University of Belfast (1845), Belfast College of Technology (1901), and the Union Theological College (1978).
Although the site has yielded evidence of occupation during the Stone and Bronze ages, Belfast's founding dates from 1177, when a Norman castle was erected. Edward Bruce devastated the settlement in 1315, the year he ascended the Irish throne. Taken by the English in the 16th century, it was granted a charter of incorporation in 1613, and the immigration of Protestants (notably Scottish Presbyterians) was encouraged. French Huguenot refugees arriving here in the late 17th century developed the linen industry. The harbor was improved in the late 18th century, and shipbuilding was begun on a large scale. The city was made the capital of Northern Ireland in 1920. During World War II Belfast was heavily damaged by German bombing raids. Beginning in 1969, the city was the scene of Roman Catholic-Protestant disorders involving civil rights agitation and increased violence. Before 1974 Belfast was the county town of the former county of Antrim. Population (1996 estimate) 297,300.
