Southampton : Britain

Southampton : Britain
Southampton is a city and major port situated on the south coast of England. It is the closest city to the New Forest and lies at the northern-most point of Southampton Water approximately halfway between Portsmouth and Bournemouth.
Although historically a part of the county of Hampshire, the city became an independent unitary authority in local government re-organisations on April 1, 1997. This makes Southampton an administrative county in its own right though it remains part of Hampshire for ceremonial purposes and in common usage. Under the name of Southampton there are several districts within the city, including Woolston, Bitterne, Portswood, Bassett, Shirley, Freemantle, Millbrook and Swaythling..
In common with many British towns and cities, such as Coventry and Plymouth, it was heavily bombed during the Second World War. Many historic buildings were lost as a result but the old city walls remain, as does the Bargate, formerly the main gateway to the city, located at the northern end of the walls. There are numerous large parks in the city centre.
Bargate, Southampton
The city is home to the University of Southampton, Southampton Institute, and the Ordnance Survey.
The outstanding harbour means it is the principal port on the south coast, and one of the largest in the UK. Sailing is a popular sport here.
Southampton Football Club (a.k.a. the “Saints�) is also based here. It was a Southampton team member, Charles William Miller, who founded Brazil’s first football club.
There are three members of parliament for the city: John Denham (Labour) for Southampton Itchen (constituency for the east of the city), Dr Alan Whitehead (Labour) for Southampton Test (the west of the city), and Sandra Gidley (Liberal Democrat) for Romsey (a small portion of the north of the city)