Historically it has been the most nationalist constituency in the city.
The outgoing MP is Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams.
Almost 60,000 people can vote.
It has one of the highest levels of unemployment in the UK.
It is also home to the Royal Victoria Hospital which lays claim to being first air conditioned building in the world.
The local team St. Gall's are the All Ireland Club Football Champions.
BBC Newsline's Tara Mills was in West Belfast to look at the issue of policing.
BBC NEWS CHANNEL
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