Belfast, city, seat (1827) of Waldo county, southern Maine, U.S., on the Passagassawakeag River where it empties into Penobscot Bay on the Atlantic coast opposite Castine, 34 miles (55 km) south-southwest of Bangor. Settled in 1770 and named for Belfast, Ireland, it soon developed as a seaport and became a port of entry. Distinguished architecture of the sailing era remains. Its harbour is now used mainly by tugboats and pleasure craft. Tourism, the sardine industry, and light manufacturing are its main economic assets. The Penobscot Marine Museum is 4 miles (6 km) to the northeast in Searsport. Fort Knox (built in 1844) and Lake St. George state parks are nearby. Inc. town, 1773; city, 1853. Pop. (2000) 6,381; (2010) 6,668.