Portsmouth is a port city situated in Hampshire, England, mainly on the Portsea Island. It is 70 miles (nearly 110 km) south-west of London and 19 miles (nearly 31 km) south-east of Southampton. It is the UK's only island city and has a total population of 205,400. This city forms part of the South Hampshire urbanised area that includes Southampton and the towns of Havant, Fareham, Eastleigh, Waterlooville, and Gosport.
Early History
The south coast was open to Danish Viking attacks during the 8th and 9th centuries. In the year 787, it was assaulted and conquered by Danish pirates. During the rule of Æthelwulf, King of Wessex in 838, a Danish convoy landed between Southampton and Portsmouth and the surrounding area was plundered. In response, Æthelwulf sent the governor of Dorsetshire and Wulfherd and to challenge the Danes at Portsmouth and it is the place where most of their ships were docked.
The history of the city can be traced to Roman times. Portsmouth has been a significant naval port for centuries. Portsmouth had the world's oldest dry dock. In 1545 it was England's first line of defence for England against the French invasion. Palmerston Forts were constructed in 1859 in the eagerness of another invasion from continental Europe.
Geography
By Road, Portsmouth located at 73.5 miles from Central London, 22.3 miles east of Southampton and 49.5 miles west of Brighton. Portsmouth is situated on Portsea Island and is the UK's only island city. Although few parts of it have expanded onto the mainland in recent years. Gosport forms a borough in its right immediately to the west. The island is parted from the mainland by Portsbridge Creek which is crossed by three road bridges (the A3 road, the M275 motorway, and the A2030 road), a railway bridge, and two footbridges.
