Southampton

Southampton
City and unitary authority area
Clockwise from top left: Bargate; Guildhall; Ocean Village; South Western House; and Town walls
Flag Logo of the City Council
Motto:  Gateway to the World
Shown within Hampshire
Southampton Location within the United Kingdom Show map of the United Kingdom Southampton Location within England Show map of England Southampton Location in Europe Show map of Europe
Coordinates: 50°54′09″N 01°24′15″W / 50.90250°N 1.40417°W / 50.90250; -1.40417
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)[2][3]
• City and unitary authority area	269,781
• Estimate  (2017)	252,400 (Council area)
• Density	12,840/sq mi (4,957/km2)
• Urban	855,569
• Metro	1,547,000 (South Hampshire)[1]
Demonym	Sotonian
Ethnicity (2021) [4]
• Ethnic groups	List 80.7% White 10.6% Asian 3.3% Mixed 3% Black 2.3% other
Religion (2021) [4]
• Religion	List 43.4% no religion 40.1% Christianity 6.6% not stated 5.6% Islam 1.7% Sikhism 1.3% Hinduism 0.7% other 0.5% Buddhism 0.1% Judaism
Time zone	UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
Postcode span	SO
Area code	023 then all phone numbers are 8 digits long beginning with 8
GDP	US$ 51.6 billion[5]
GDP per capita	US$ 37,832[5]
GVA	2013
• Total	£9.7 bn ($15.7 bn) (12th)
• Growth	2.6%
• Per capita	£21,400 ($34,300) (15th)
• Growth	0.6%
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.gov.uk

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.^[6][7] Southampton had a population of 253,651 at the 2011 census, making it one of the most populous cities in southern England.^[2] 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,^[8] and close to the New Forest, Southampton lies at the northernmost point of Southampton Water, at the confluence of the River Test and Itchen,^[9] with the River Hamble joining to the south. Southampton is classified as a Medium-Port City.^[10]

Southampton was the departure point for the RMS Titanic^[11] and home to 500 of the people who perished on board.^[12] The Spitfire was built in the city^[13] 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.^[14] 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.^[15]

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.^[16]

Some notable employers in the city include the University of Southampton, Ordnance Survey, BBC South, Associated British Ports, and Carnival UK.^[17]