Belfast ~ Basics

• Name derived from Irish “Béal Feirsde” - meaning “river-mouth”

• First known settlers 5,000 BC

• Founded as a town in 1613 by Sir Arthur Chichester

• Granted city status in 1888 by Queen Victoria

• Current population 341,877 (city), 671,559 (Metropolitan area)

• Demographic

-Caucasian 97%

-Catholic 49%, Protestant 43%, Other 8%

-Female 51%, Male 49% -Median Age 35

-Average Annual Income $33,294 (USD)

• Economy; Engineering, Manufacturing, Tourism and Hospitality, Information Technology, Financial Services, Life and Health Sciences

• Unemployment Rate 2.5% (February 2022)