Southampton (pronunciation; IPA /ˌsaʊθˈhæmptən/) is the largest city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England.

Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest. It lies at the northern-most point of Southampton Water where it is joined by the River Test and River Itchen, with the River Hamble joining to the south of the urban area.

The local authority is Southampton City Council, which is a unitary authority. The city is part of the ceremonial county of Hampshire.

Significant employers in Southampton include the University of Southampton, the Ford Transit factory and one of the largest commercial ports in Europe.

The city represents the core of the Greater Southampton region, with a population of 228,600. The city's name is sometimes abbreviated in writing to "So'ton" or "Soton", but a resident of Southampton is called a Southamptonian.

Southampton is noted for being the home of the RMS Titanic, the Spitfire and more recently a number of the largest cruise ships in the world.

History

This section is an overview. For fuller details seemain: History of Southampton

Archaeological finds suggest there have been settlements at Southampton since the stone age.Southampton museum of Archeology. Gods House Tower, Southampton. The Romans established a settlement known as Clausentum, shortly after their invasion of Britain in AD 43. It was an important trading port, at the site of modern Bitterne Manor. The Romans abandoned this settlement circa 410

The Anglo-Saxons formed a new, larger, settlement across the Itchen centred on what is now the St Mary's area of the city. The settlement was known as Hamwic, which evolved into Hamtun and then Hampton.. Archeological excavations of this site have uncovered one of the best collections of Saxon artifacts in Europe.

Viking raids from 840 onwards contributed to the decline of Hamwic in the 9th century, and by the 10th century, a fortified settlement, which became Medieval Southampton had been established.

Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, Southampton became the major port of transit between the then capital of England, Winchester, and Normandy. Southampton Castle was built in the 12th century and by the 13th century, Southampton had become a leading port, particularly involved in the trade of French Wine in exchange for English cloth and wool..

Surviving remains of 12th Century merchants' houses such as King John's House and Canute's Palace are evidence of the wealth that existed in the town at this timeSouthampton. An Illustrated History. Adrian Rance. 1986. ISBN 0-903852-95-0. pp34. In 1348, the Black Death reached England via merchant vessels calling at Southampton.Southampton. An Illustrated History. Adrian Rance. 1986. ISBN 0-903852-95-0. pp45