| Cardiff or Caerdydd in Welsh is the capital | | | | Festivals |
| city of Wales. The city is situated in the | | | | |
| county of Glamorgan and used to be a small | | | | Cardiff is the home of the Big Weekend |
| traditional town until the 19th century when | | | | Festival that is held every year in late July |
| it started to rapidly grow due to the sudden | | | | or early August. The Festival takes place in |
| influx of industry in the area | | | | the center of the city and it brings together |
| | | | all sorts of theme park events and rides. |
| Cardiff or Caerdydd in Welsh is the capital | | | | Each year about 2 hundred thousand people |
| city of Wales. The city is situated in the | | | | come to take part in this event. Another big |
| county of Glamorgan and it used to be a small | | | | event in the city is the Cardiff festival, |
| traditional town up until the 19th century | | | | considered to be the biggest outdoor festival |
| when it started to rapidly grow due to the | | | | in the entire country. This festival is |
| sudden influx of industry in the area. At | | | | actually the host of different smaller |
| this point in time Cardiff became the main | | | | festivals, such as the Children's Festival. |
| port in the region exporting coal. In the | | | | The city also hosts the Cardiff Design |
| year 1905 Cardiff officially became a city | | | | Festival. |
| and exactly 50 years later, in 1955, it was | | | | |
| proclaimed the capital of Wales. The port | | | | Another thing that should be noted about |
| here is known as Tiger Bay and it used to be | | | | Cardiff is that it was the home of the |
| very busy for a long period of time. Today, | | | | National Eisteddfod five times (1883, 1899, |
| the port of Cardiff is not so popular for | | | | 1938, 1960 and 1978) and it is to be the host |
| transport, but is very much appreciated by | | | | again in 2008. |
| people all over the world as an art, | | | | |
| entertainment and nightlife location. | | | | Parks |
| | | | |
| The name of the city comes from the English | | | | One of the most beautiful places in Cardiff |
| pronunciation of the Welsh name "Caerdydd". | | | | is the green site in the centre of the city |
| The origin of the name is not known, there | | | | known as Bute Park. This area used to be a |
| being several hypotheses. "Caer" is the Welsh | | | | part of the castle grounds and today it has |
| word for castle, but there is no explanation | | | | been designed to be a charming place inside |
| for what "dydd" could be standing for. Some | | | | the city. The park extends towards the |
| people believe that this term was a | | | | northern part of the main shopping street in |
| corruption of the term "Taff", which is the | | | | the city, Queen Street. The beautiful garden |
| name of the river that crosses the city. In | | | | combines with the Llandaff Fields in the |
| this case, the name "Cardiff" would actually | | | | northwest area and together they form a |
| mean "the castle on the river Taff". However, | | | | unique place highlighting the Taff River. The |
| modern researchers have serious doubts about | | | | people who live on this part of the city bear |
| this explanation, preferring to concentrate | | | | the nickname of Taffy after the river that |
| more on the Latin influence over the term. It | | | | crosses this region. |
| is known that the Roman Emperor Antonius | | | | |
| Didius built a fortress in Cardiff, thus they | | | | There are a few more parks in Cardiff, such |
| believe that it is most likely that the name | | | | as Roath Park in the north of the city. This |
| of the city refers to the castle of Antonius | | | | amazing park was actually donated to the |
| Didius. Whatever the true origin of the name | | | | community by the third Marquess of Bute in |
| may be, the fact is that a beautiful 2000 | | | | 1887. One of the most popular tourist |
| year old Norman castle still exists in | | | | attractions in this park is the boating lake. |
| Cardiff and it would be a shame to miss | | | | Another very colorful park in Cardiff is |
| visiting it while in the city. | | | | Victoria Park, which was the city's first |
| | | | official park. |
| One of the most popular city icons is the | | | | |
| Cardiff professional football team - Cardiff | | | | Music and nightlife |
| City F.C. There are also other teams that | | | | |
| bring fame to the city, such as the Cardiff | | | | Cardiff has proven to be one of the most |
| Blues (the regional rugby team) and the | | | | popular places in the UK as far as the wide |
| Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey team. | | | | range of music is concerned. Some of the most |
| | | | visited and appreciated places in Cardiff |
| Cultural Attractions | | | | include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales |
| | | | and the Welsh National Opera. Many of the |
| Besides the Norman castle, Cardiff also hosts | | | | leading acts across the country have emerged |
| the National Assembly for Wales, St. David's | | | | here. Also, as far as modern music is |
| Concert Hall (one of the most popular concert | | | | concerned, many Welsh bands have had their |
| venues in Britain due to its many | | | | debut on one of Cardiff's stages, before |
| productions), the National Museum and many | | | | becoming well known nationally and even |
| more. One of the most interesting places in | | | | internationally. |
| Cardiff is Caroline Street, the third oldest | | | | |
| street in the city. This street is the main | | | | Cardiff is also very popular for its strong |
| link between two of Cardiff's busiest | | | | nightlife, being the host of a numerous |
| streets. On Caroline Street you can find a | | | | variety of nightclubs, bars, pubs and clubs. |
| great variety of stores and shops and | | | | Most of these places can be found in the city |
| recently it seems to have become the home of | | | | centre and in Cardiff Bay, which has lately |
| chip and kebab eateries! Thus, the street | | | | developed quite an impressive night scene. |
| became to be referred as the Chip Row or the | | | | St. Mary Street is also one of the most |
| Chip Alley. During the last few years the | | | | populated places in Cardiff during the night |
| street became populated with new luxuriant | | | | time. The best time here is during good |
| flats and has been completely refurbished. | | | | weather when the terraces are open and the |
| | | | street seems to have a life of its own. |