Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales, located in the southeast of the country within the Cardiff Capital Region. It serves as the county town of the historic county of Glamorgan and was a principal area officially known as the City and County of Cardiff. The city is currently ranked as the eleventh largest in the United Kingdom.
Historically a small town until the early 19th century, Cardiff experienced significant expansion due to its role as a major port for coal during the region's mining era. It was officially ranked as a city in 1905 and proclaimed the capital of Wales in 1955. The urban area extends beyond the county boundary to include nearby towns such as Penarth and Dinas Powys.
The city is a member of the Eurocities network, which identifies some of the largest European cities. As of 2024, Cardiff had a population of 383,919 residents.