Cardiff, Wales developed as a major coal port due to its flat geography and proximity to coal fields in south Wales valleys. It began as a Roman fort built in 75 CE. Today, Cardiff is a principal finance center and one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. It has a strong education system including Cardiff University and 86 primary schools. Major tourist attractions include Cardiff Castle and the open-air National History Museum at St. Fagans. The city holds annual music and cultural festivals attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.

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2. Cardiff is a relatively flat city and its geographic features were influential in its development as the world's largest coal ports. Most notably this included its proximity and easy access to the coal fields of the south Wales valleys.

3. The history of what is now Cardiff began with a Roman fort on the site, built in 75 CE. As Roman rule in Britannia ended near the start of the 5th century the fort was abandoned. Map of Cardiff

4. Cardiff is the principal finance and business services centre in Wales and a major UK city. Also Cardiff has one of the fastest growing economies and population in Europe. Cardiff supermarket

5. Cardiff has a strong education. There is eighty-six state primary schools, a number of independent schools, a single-sex girls' school. Also Cardiff is well known for its universities, such as Cardiff University. Main hall of Cardiff University

6. Cardiff Castle is a major tourist attraction in the city. The National History Museum at St. Fagans in Cardiff is a large open air museum housing dozens of buildings from throughout Welsh history that have been moved to the site in Cardiff. Cardiff Castle

7. The Big Weekend Festival is held annually in summer in the city centre and plays free musical performances, fairground rides and other cultural events. The annual Cardiff Festival claims to be the UK's largest free outdoor festival, attracting over 250,000 visitors in 2007.

8. Cardiff is known for its extensive parkland, with parks and other such green spaces covering around 10% of the city's total area. Cardiff's main park, Bute Park extends northwards from the top of one of Cardiff's main shopping street - Queen Street. Bute park

9. The Cardiff music scene is established and wide-ranging. It is the home to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Welsh National Opera. Cardiff has a strong nightlife, well established in the UK, let alone Wales, and is home to many bars, pubs and clubs. Night club in Cardiff