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The City of Belfast dates back to the early 17th century. The name Belfast is a corruption of the Gaelic words Beal Feirste meaning mouth of the sandy ford. It is the capital of Northern Ireland and its largest city. By 1611 there were Englishmen, Scots and Manxmen living in the thriving community of Belfast. In 1613 Belfast was made a corporation and afterwards it sent 2 MPs to parliament. However the corporation was partly controlled by the Chichester family, the lords of the manor.
The familiar landmark of Belfast Castle overlooks the city from a prominent site 400 feet above sea level on the slopes of Cave Hill. This magnificent sandstone building, recently restored by Belfast City Council's Parks Department, has close associations with the city's history. In the early 17th century Belfast was a small town with a population of only about 1,000 but it was busy. Wool, hides, grain, butter and salted meat were exported from Belfast to England, Scotland and France. Wine and fruit were imported into Belfast from France and Spain. In the 18th century Belfast grew rapidly. The population of Belfast was only about 2,500 in 1700 but it grew to about 8,000 in 1750 and about 13,000 by 1780. By 1800 Belfast had a population of around 20,000. In the late 18th century a new suburb grew up across the Lagan. Belfast continued to grow rapidly in the 19th century. It was made a borough in 1842 and a city in 1888.
The city is host to a large number of tourist attractions. One most important landmark of the city is the Belfast Castle, constructed for the 3rd Marquess of Donegall in the 1870s, has a Scottish baronial architecture with beautiful gardens and permanent exhibitions One splendid piece of architecture is the Belfast City Hall which is located in the centre of the city. It has an impressive and imposing Edwardian structure, and its interiors are lavishly decorated with beautiful Italian marble works. Another place to visit is the Giant's Ring which is a mysterious site reckoned to be 4000 years old. It has a circular earthwork embankment with a bouldered structure in the centre which could have been an important meeting/ritual place for Neolithic man. One can also enjoy picnic at the various parks like the Lagan Valley Regional Park and the Cave Hill Country Park etc. Grand Opera house also hosts a wide range of local and international entertainment encompassing theatre, musicals, opera, ballet, comedy, concerts, pantomime and much more.
On arrival in the city and to view the city one can easily hire a taxi (Private hire belfast) which is approved to run from the airport taxi rank directly outside the terminal building, with fares to Belfast city centre The International Airport Taxi Company is the official taxi operator for Belfast airport. They have taxis available outside the airport terminal building. Only taxis (Taxi hire belfast) approved by BIA are permitted to use the taxi rank and you will find a list of sample fares displayed in the exit hall of the airport terminal building. Drivers of public hire taxis licensed to operate within a 5 mile radius of Belfast City Centre are the only sector within the industry whose fares are regulated. As far as the public hire taxis are concerned they can be accessed from taxi (Taxi Hire Belfast) ranks or while they drive around their area. Journeys are often local and for short distances. Private Hire Vehicle Drivers carry out similar tasks like the licensed taxi drivers but may not stand at taxi ranks or look for work as they drive round. To drive a taxi in Northern Ireland, a taxi driver's license is issued by the Department of the Environment. All taxis (public hire vehicles) operating within the City of Belfast must provide suitable wheelchair facilities. Thus one can say Taxi hiring in Belfast is the most convenient and easily accessible facility one can avail.
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