Southampton

Southampton lies on the south coast of England and is the largest city in the county of Hampshire. It is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest. It lies at the northernmost point of Southampton Water at the confluence of the Rivers Test and Itchen.  The population of the city is estimated to be  253,651. A resident of Southampton is called a Sotonian.

 History

Southampton has been inhabited since the stone age. Following the  the conquering of the local Britons in 70 AD by the Romans, the fortress settlement of Clausentum was established. It was an important trading port and a defensive outpost of Winchester, at the site of modern Bitterne Man. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, Southampton became the major port of transit between Winchester and Normandy. Southampton Castle was built in the 12th century. Southampton became a leading port in the 13th Century.French wine was exchanged for English cloth and wool. Southampton was also instrumental in bringing Black Death to England via merchant's vessels.

Southampton expanded during the Victorian age. The Southampton Docks company was formed in 1842. Southampton subsequently became known as The Gateway to the Empire. Shipbuilding was one of the major businesses in the 20th century. Ships that fought during the two world wars were made in Southampton. The Titanic sailed on its first and last voyage from Southampton.

The longest surviving stretch of medieval walls in England is located in Southampton. Also, Southampton is home to many museums.

The SeaCity Museum    was initially occupied by Hampshire Constabulary and the Magistrates' Court. It focuses on Southampton's trading history and on the RMS Titanic. The museum receives half a million pounds from the National Lottery. It also recieves  interest from many private investors .

 Education

The University of Southampton and Southampton Solent University together have over 40,000 students.

The University of Southampton which received its Royal Charter as a university in 1952, has over 22,000 students. It is ranked in top 100 research universities in the world by Academic Ranking of World Universities 2010 and 80th according to the THES. It considers itself one of the top 5 research universities in the UK. The university has a global reputation for research into various sciences. It is also home to the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS).

 Southampton lies on the south coast of England and is the largest city in the county of Hampshire. It is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest. It lies at the northernmost point of Southampton Water at the confluence of the Rivers Test and Itchen. The population of the city is estimated to be  253,651. A resident of Southampton is called a Sotonian.