Located on the south coast of Wales, Cardiff has been the principality's capital since 1955 and is its largest city with a population of around 320,000. The city began as a small town in the 19th century but expanded rapidly when coal, which was mined in the valleys to the north, and locally smelted iron, were transported through its port.

Its political importance has increased since the creation of the Welsh Assembly in 1999. The impressive National Assembly for Wales and striking 1,900 seat Millennium Centre have driven the redevelopment of Cardiff Bay. The £220 million Cardiff Bay Barrage has created Europe's largest City Centre waterfront involving the revitalisation of 1,100 hectares of decaying land in the city's former dockland area with residential, retail, commercial and leisure developments.

The strong retail core is based around Queen Street and St Mary's Street. Also in the vibrant city centre is the 74,500 Millennium Stadium and 11th century castle.

Cardiff is the principal finance and business services centre in Wales, employing over 34,000 workers in this sector. It is also home to the Welsh media with BBC Wales, S4C and ITV Wales having their studios in the city, making it the UK's largest film, TV & multimedia sector outside London. Cardiff International Airport is located in Rhoose, 10 miles to the west of the city, with bus and rail connections to the city centre.

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