Due to our troubled past, Belfast & NI has seen a lot less immigration than other parts of Western Europe.

However, since the Peace Process, and the opening up of Eastern Europe, there has been a huge transformation in its ethnic make-up.

Historically the Chinese, Jewish and Asian communities have been the largest and most culturally influential, and today the Chinese community remains NI's longest established ethnic group.

In March 07, the Alliance Party's Anna Lo became Europe's first East Asian-born parliamentarian when she won a South Belfast seat in the Assembly elections.

With a business and property empire including four Belfast hotels, Lord Diljit Rana MBE heads the city's Indian-born elite.

The city's Jewish population has dwindled since its heyday of the 40's-60's, but one North Belfast-born man made a significant impact on the international stage.

Chaim Herzog, whose father was Ireland's first Chief Rabbi, was the sixth President of Israel from 1983-93 - and an Ulster History Circle plaque marks his birthplace on Clifton Park Ave.

Today, as 'New Europeans' from Poland, Latvia and Lithuania - together with a sizeable Portuguese community - settle across Belfast and NI, a whole new set of cultures and traditions are beginning to emerge, and new shops, cafes and cultural centres opening up.

Ever keen to reflect our constantly changing city, we've put together a list of shops, services and associations owned by - or devoted to - these evolving and established communities.

If you're new to the city, use these resources to make your transition to NI-life more seamless. And if you're a local, or just passing through, take time to stop by and soak up these new cultures... you never know, the best meal of your trip might just be a hearty stuffed cabbage roll from St. George's Market!

For a more concise breakdown of our Ethnic community, just click...