The Peace Lines are a series of separation barriers ranging in length from a few hundred yards to over 3 miles, separating Catholic neighbourhoods in Belfast. The stated purpose of the barriers is to minimize intercommunal sectarian violence between Protestants and Catholics.
The barriers themselves consist of iron, brick, and steel walls up to 25 feet high, topped with metal netting. The barriers have gates in them manned by police, which allow passage by day, and which are closed at night.
The first barriers were constructed in early 1970s, following the outbreak of "The Troubles". Originally few in number, they have multiplied over the years, from 18 in the early 1990's to 40 today.
Belfast is situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough and is surrounded by hills.
To the north of Belfast are the Antrim Hills in County Antrim, and to the south, the Castlereagh Hills in County Down.
Belfast became the centre of Irish Protestantism, and in 1922 it was declared the capital of Northern Ireland after Ireland was partitioned into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State (later to become the Republic of Ireland, when it withdrew from the British Commonwealth in 1949).
Belfast blossomed as a commercial and industrial centre in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and thanks to its thriving linen, rope-making, tobacco and shipbuilding industries, became the most industrialised city in Ireland.
To the north of Belfast are the Glens of Antrim in County Antrim, and to the south, the Castlereagh Hills in County Down.
Belfast City Centre is divided by two postcodes, BT1 for the area lying north of the City Hall, and BT2 for the area south of the City Hall.
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