**Historical Development**:
– Archaeological finds suggest Stone Age habitation.
– Clausentum established post-Roman invasion.
– Anglo-Saxons settled in Hamwic.
– Viking raids led to Hamwic’s decline.
– Medieval Southampton established in the 10th century.
– Southampton became a major port post-Norman Conquest.
– Southampton Castle built in the 12th century.
– 13th century saw Southampton as a leading port.
– Franciscan friary founded circa 1233.
– Water supply system constructed by friars in 1290.
– Southampton petitioned King and Council in 1327.
– Town sacked in 1338 by French, Genoese, and Monegasque ships.
– Edward III ordered walls to be built in 1339.
– Black Death reached England via merchant vessels in 1348.
– Western walls completed in 1380.
– Ringleaders of Southampton Plot executed in 1415.
– Gods House Tower built in 1417 as artillery fortification.
– Walls of Southampton completed in the 15th century.
**City Overview**:
– Southampton is a port city in Hampshire, England.
– Located approximately 80 miles south-west of London.
– Population of 253,651 at the 2011 census.
– Known for its association with the Titanic and the Mayflower.
– Notable employers include University of Southampton and BBC South.
– Southampton is a significant retail destination in southern England.
**Geographical Features**:
– Located at the northernmost point of Southampton Water.
– Confluence of River Test, Itchen, and River Hamble.
– Close to the New Forest.
– Classified as a Medium-Port City.
– Southampton is part of South East England region.
**Economic Significance**:
– Southampton is a major port city.
– Home to some of the largest cruise ships in the world.
– Cunard Line maintains a transatlantic service to New York.
– The health and education sector accounts for over a quarter of the jobs in Southampton.
– Property, business, wholesale, and retail sectors are significant employers in the city.
**Governance and Modern Developments**:
– Southampton had administrative independence from surrounding County.
– Southampton acquired city status in 1964.
– Southampton City Council consists of 51 councillors.
– Labour Party has held overall control since 2022.
– Southampton has an oceanic climate and holds the UK temperature record.
– Southampton features a geothermal power station, providing electricity for the Port of Southampton.
– Southampton’s mid-year population estimate in 2016 was approximately 254,275.
– Over a quarter of the available jobs in Southampton are in the health and education sector.
Southampton (/saʊθˈ(h)æmptən/ ) is a port city in Hampshire, England. It is located approximately 80 miles (130 km) south-west of London, 20 miles (32 km) west of Portsmouth, and 20 miles (32 km) south-east of Salisbury. Southampton had a population of 253,651 at the 2011 census, making it one of the most populous cities in southern England. Southampton forms part of the larger South Hampshire conurbation which includes the city of Portsmouth and the boroughs of Havant, Eastleigh, Fareham, and Gosport. A major port, and close to the New Forest, Southampton lies at the northernmost point of Southampton Water, at the confluence of the River Test and Itchen, with the River Hamble joining to the south. Southampton is classified as a Medium-Port City.
Southampton | |
---|---|
Motto: Gateway to the World | |
Shown within Hampshire | |
Coordinates: 50°54′09″N 01°24′15″W / 50.90250°N 1.40417°W | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Country | England |
Region | South East England |
Ceremonial county | Hampshire |
Settled | c. AD 43 |
City status | 1964 |
Unitary authority | 1997 |
Government | |
• Type | Unitary authority, city |
• Governing body | Southampton City Council |
• Leadership | Leader & cabinet |
• Council control | Labour |
• Members of Parliament | Caroline Nokes (C) Royston Smith (C) Alan Whitehead (L) |
Area | |
• Urban | 28.1 sq mi (72.8 km2) |
Population (2018) | |
• City and unitary authority area | 269,781 |
• Estimate (2017) | 252,400 (Council area) |
• Density | 13,120/sq mi (5,066/km2) |
• Urban | 855,569 |
• Metro | 1,547,000 (South Hampshire) |
Demonym | Sotonian |
Ethnicity (2021) | |
• Ethnic groups | |
Religion (2021) | |
• Religion | List
|
Time zone | UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (British Summer Time) |
Postcode span | |
Area code | 023 then all phone numbers are 8 digits long beginning with 8 |
GDP | US$ 51.6 billion |
GDP per capita | US$ 37,832 |
GVA | 2013 |
• Total | £9.7 bn ($15.7 bn) (12th) |
• Growth | |
• Per capita | £21,400 ($34,300) (15th) |
• Growth | |
Grid ref. | SU 42 11 |
ONS code | 00MS (ONS) E06000045 (GSS) |
Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Ambulance | South Central |
Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Website | southampton |
Southampton was the departure point for the RMS Titanic and home to 500 of the people who perished on board. The Spitfire was built in the city and Southampton has a strong association with the Mayflower, being the departure point before the vessel was forced to return to Plymouth. In the past century, the city was one of Europe's main ports for ocean liners. More recently, Southampton is known as the home port of some of the largest cruise ships in the world. The Cunard Line maintains a regular transatlantic service to New York from the city. Southampton is also one of the largest retail destinations in the South of England.
Southampton was heavily bombed during the Second World War during what was known as the Southampton Blitz. It was one of the major embarkation points for D-Day. In the Middle Ages Southampton was where troops left England for the Battle of Agincourt. It was itself raided by French pirates, leading to the construction of the fortified town walls, many of which still stand today. Jane Austen also lived in Southampton for a number of years. In 1964, the town of Southampton acquired city status, becoming the City of Southampton.
Some notable employers in the city include the University of Southampton, Ordnance Survey, BBC South, Associated British Ports, and Carnival UK.