Pre-Norman
Archaeological finds suggest that the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Following the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43 and the conquering of the local Britons in AD 70 the

2016 mid-year population estimates suggests there are 254,275 people within the Southampton area. At the 2011 Census, the Southampton built-up

In 2016/17 169,700 residents of Southampton aged 16–64 were in employment, representing a rate of 71.4% - lower than the national rate of 74.4%. 6600 were unemployed, representing 5% of the economically active population.
In 2016/17, 24.8% of the

After the establishment of Hampshire County Council, following the passage of the 1888 Local Government Act, Southampton became a

The geography of Southampton is influenced by the sea and rivers. The city lies at the northern tip of the Southampton Water, a deep water estuary, which is a ria formed at the end of the last Ice Age. Here, the rivers Test and Itchen converge. The Test — which has a salt

Culture
The city is home to the longest surviving stretch of medieval walls in England, as well as a number of

Southampton's police service is provided by Hampshire Constabulary. The main base of the Southampton operation is a new, eight-storey purpose-built building which cost £30 million to construct. The building, located on Southern Road, opened in 2011 and is