It's only been around for eight years - and yet Google Streetview has already captured a phenomenal amount of change in Cardiff's skyline.

The introduction of the mapping technology has coincided with a transformative period in the history of the Welsh capital, with each update to the images capturing a major change.

These interactive pictures show how well-known sites in the city have changed almost beyond recognition in the few short years since Google added the Streetview function to its maps.

We've chosen 11 locations for this article, but if you fancy looking around the changes in your own area, there are instructions at the bottom of the screen to help you do it.

Read more: These are the stories behind Cardiff's most interesting street and place names

How to explore development around your home with Google Streetview

1. Go to Google Maps, and search for the area you'd like to look at

2. Click and hold on the stick man in the bottom right hand corner, and drag it on to the street you'd like to view. Streets that are available to view are highlighted in blue.

3. Once you've landed on a straight, you'll see a dark tab in the top left corner, showing the street name. Underneath this, it should tell you the month and year when the image was taken. It will default to the most recent image. Click on this and it'll give you a choice of years from which you can see pictures. If the month/year isn't clickable, it means only one image is available (the one you're seeing).

4. Slide the dial on the preview image in the top left corner to the year that you want to look at. This is highly unlikely to go back further than 2008. After you've moved the slider, the preview image will change to the older image.

5. Finally, click on the preview image in the top left corner, and the main image will go back to that date. You'll then be able to move around the streets using your mouse and explore how the area used to look.