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Cardiff Facts & Worksheets

Cardiff is ranked the eleventh-largest city in the United Kingdom. Located in the southeastern part of Wales, Cardiff is the country’s capital and largest city.

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Cardiff is ranked the eleventh-largest city in the United Kingdom. Located in the southeastern part of Wales. Cardiff is the country’s capital and largest city. It is considered one of Wales’ primary commercial centers and top historical attractions. It is also considered a county within the Welsh unitary authority system of local government.

See the fact file below for more information on Cardiff, or you can download our 28-page Cardiff worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

GEOGRAPHY

  • The central part of Cardiff is comparatively flat, bordered by hills to the north, east, and west.
  • Cardiff is bordered to the north by the South Wales Valleys; to the east by Newport, the seventh most populous city in Wales; to the west by the county borough of the Vale of Glamorgan, and to the south by the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel.
  • Built on reclaimed marshland grounded on Triassic rock landscapes, Cardiff later developed as the largest coal port in the world because of its placement close to the coal fields of the South Wales Valleys.
  • Cardiff is located close to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, a natural coastline spanning 14 miles known for being a graveyard of many ships that used to sail to Cardiff during the industrial period.
  • Garth Hill, spanning 1,007 feet above sea level, is the highest point in Cardiff’s local authority area.

CLIMATE

  • Since Cardiff lies in the north temperate zone, thus it has an oceanic climate characterized by cloudy, wet, and windy weather.
  • Nonetheless, the sun comes out during the summer and provides a pleasant, warm environment throughout the city.
  • Rainfall can be expected during winter.

HISTORY

  • The common belief about where the name “Cardiff” is derived is that it is an Anglicized version of the original Welsh name “Caer-Taff,” which means “Fort on the Taff.”
  • Based on archaeological evidence, the area surrounding Cardiff has been inhabited by people since the Neolithic period.
  • The Romans established a settlement in the region now known as Cardiff in the 50s BCE, until their departure in the 380s
  • There once was a Roman fort where the famous Cardiff Castle now stands.
  • The Vikings were the next group to settle in Cardiff, using it as a base and then a port during their attack on the Welsh coast around 850
  • By 1100, Cardiff Castle was already established at the city’s heart. A town outside the castle consisting of Norman/Saxon settlers also began to set itself up.
  • Between 1158 and 1404, Cardiff was attacked on multiple occasions, including the charge of Ifor Bach, Lord of Senghenydd; the strike of the Glamorgan Welsh; and the invasion of the Cardiff Castle led by Owain Glyndŵr.
  • In 1536, Wales was legally annexed to England, which led to the creation of Glamorganshire, with Cardiff its county town. 
  • It was not until 1542 that Cardiff became a free borough.
  • In 1778, the reconstruction of Cardiff Castle began.
  • In 1793, John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute, who was later known as “the creator of modern Cardiff,” was born. 
  • During the mid-1800s, Cardiff became the main port for coal exports from the South Wales Valleys.
  • The population of Cardiff rapidly grew until it became the largest town in Wales by the 1881 census.
  • In 1889, Cardiff became a county borough and retained such status until 1974.
  • On October 28, 1905, Cardiff became a city under the authority of King Edward VII.
  • Fifty-five years later, on December 20, 1955, Cardiff was recognized as the capital city of Wales.
  • Following the First World War (1914-1918), Cardiff docks saw a decline in the demand for coal.
  • Cardiff’s coal trade stopped altogether in 1963.
  • The following year, the Welsh Office was established, making Cardiff a center of national administration.
  • In 1997, Cardiff voted against establishing a Welsh Assembly, but Wales voted in favor of it in a national referendum.
  • According to a 2017 consensus, the capital region of Cardiff has a population of approximately 362,400.
  • Currently, Cardiff is considered a center for key industries such as engineering and food manufacturing, as well as higher education, law, commerce, and media.

FAMOUS SITES AND LANDMARKS

  • Located at the heart of Cardiff, Cardiff Castle is a medieval castle that was once a Roman fort and a Norman stronghold. Now it is one of the top heritage attractions in the country.
  • Cardiff Bay is Europe’s largest waterfront redevelopment project amounting to £102 million in redesign and reconstruction across 2,700 acres.
  • The Castell Coch, a Welsh name that translates to “Red Castle,” is a castle built in the Victorian era and situated on top of the ruins of a 13th-century castle allegedly owned by Welsh leader Ifor Bach.
  • The Principality Stadium is the national stadium of Wales.
  • First built in the early 1100s, the Llandaff Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral that offers self-guided tours.
  • The Welsh National War Memorial was built in Cardiff to honor those killed during the First World War.
  • Cardiff’s oldest shopping arcade is the Royal Arcade, which was originally completed in 1858. 
  • Cardiff is also home to the world’s oldest record store: Spiller’s Records. It was established in 1894.

CULTURE

  • In terms of recreational areas, there are many parks and green spaces in Cardiff. In fact, these areas account for around 10% of the city’s total area.
  • To recognize Cardiff’s major role as the host of prestigious sporting events on a local, national and international scale, the city was given the title of European Capital of Sport 2014.
  • Numerous ballet, dance, comedy, opera, and musical performances are hosted at the Wales Millennium Center.
  • There’s no shortage of public art, including statues, sculptures, and murals, in the city of Cardiff.

FUN FACTS

  • In world history, Cardiff was the first Fairtrade capital.
  • Cardiff counts as one of Europe’s smallest capital cities.
  • Dubbed the “City of Arcades,” Cardiff has the largest number of indoor shopping arcades in the United Kingdom.
  • Henry Morgan, a privateer more popularly known as Captain Morgan, was born in Llanrumney, Cardiff, in 1635.
  • Roald Dahl, the famous children’s book author, was born in Llandaff, Cardiff, in 1916.
  • Cardiff is the home base filming location of the long-running television series “Doctor Who.”

Cardiff, Wales Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Cardiff across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Cardiff, ranked the eleventh-largest city in the United Kingdom. Located in the southeastern part of Wales, Cardiff is the country’s capital and largest city.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Cardiff, Wales Facts
  2. All About Cardiff
  3. Cardiff Crossword
  4. Sightseeing, Sight-naming
  5. Fun Fact or False?
  6. Odd One Out
  7. History Timeline
  8. Culture Summary
  9. Tweeting Trivia
  10. Ideal City Tour
  11. Poem of Praise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cardiff?

Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales, located in the south of the country. It is a coastal city known for its history, culture, and vibrant city center.

What is the history of Cardiff?

Cardiff has a rich history dating back to Roman times. It was an important port and industrial center during the 19th century, and was officially declared a city in 1905. Today, Cardiff is a multicultural city that continues to grow and develop.

What is the population of Cardiff?

The population of Cardiff is approximately 466,000 as of 2021.

What is the climate like in Cardiff?

Cardiff has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. Rainfall is relatively high throughout the year, with the wettest months being October and November.

What are some popular tourist attractions in Cardiff?

Some popular tourist attractions in Cardiff include Cardiff Castle, the National Museum Cardiff, the Wales Millennium Centre, the Principality Stadium, and the Cardiff Bay area. Visitors can also enjoy shopping, dining and nightlife in the city center, and take day trips to nearby coastal towns and countryside.

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Link will appear as Cardiff Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 9, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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