Southampton is themajor trading port on the southern coast of England. It has passengertraffic to the Continent, but its transatlantic passenger traffic hasdeclined. The principal industries are shipbuilding and themanufacture of motor vehicles. Points of interest include King John'sPalace (12th century), the 14th-century gates of the Norman townwalls, and Southampton Art Gallery. The city is the seat of theUniversity of Southampton (1862) and a 16th-century grammar school.The Roman settlement of Clausentum and the later Saxon town of Hamwihwere located on the site. In the Middle Ages Southampton was animportant English port. It became a fashionable resort in the 18thcentury. During World War II the port was heavily damaged. Population(1991 preliminary) 194,400.

Titanic Leaving Southampton Port