Things you didn't know about... Cardiff

Cardiff was the world's largest coal port

After some of the world's richest seams of coal were found in Cardiff, the city became the biggest coal port in the British Empire. Because of this, its population increased from around 1,500 in 1801 to just under 200,000 by 1901.

Cardiff—a capital idea for a city (eventually)
In 1905 Cardiff was granted city status by King Edward VII, and exactly 50 years later it was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II as Wales' capital city. It wasn't until 1964, though, that the UK government recognised Wales as a country, by creating the Welsh Office with its own Secretary of State.

Cardiff finally has the status it deserves
The Welsh Assembly Government, based in Cardiff, began life in 1999 at Crickhowell House, an office block in Cardiff Bay. It moved to the new Senedd building designed by Lord Richard Rogers on St David's Day 2006.

Cardiff is a great sports venue—come rain or shine
The Millennium Stadium, the UK's first sports stadium with a retractable roof, also claims the world's largest retractable roof in a sporting stadium. The two-part sliding cover measures 9,500 sq m.

Thanks a million, Cardiff
In 1913 at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff, the world's first cheque for £1 million sterling was signed.

Great Scott, Cardiff—which way's the Pole?
On 15 June 1910, the British Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Robert Scott made its final departure from Cardiff for the journey to the South Pole in the expedition vessel, SS Terra Nova. There's now a memorial sculpture, memorial lighthouse and the Captain Scott room in the Royal Hotel, where he ate his farewell dinner.