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It is situated at the confluence of two estuaries, the [[River Test]] and the [[River Itchen]]. There has been an important settlement in the area since [[Roman]] times, when it was known as ''Clausentum''. The modern city is situated on the site of the [[Saxon]] walled city. Although the city was bombed very heavily during [[World War II]], many of the city's walls and fortifications survive today, most notably the 'Bargate' in the city centre.

It is situated at the confluence of two estuaries, the [[River Test]] and the [[River Itchen]]. There has been an important settlement in the area since [[Roman]] times, when it was known as ''Clausentum''. The modern city is situated on the site of the [[Saxon]] walled city. Although the city was bombed very heavily during [[World War II]], many of the city's walls and fortifications survive today, most notably the 'Bargate' in the city centre.

It is known as the city from which the [[Mayflower]] embarked (although [[Plymouth]] was its last port of call before leaving for America.

It is known as the city from which the [[Mayflower]] embarked (although [[Plymouth]] was its last port of call before leaving for America.)

Although an important medieval port, Southampton fell into a gentle decline and only became a major centre again after the opening of the London & Southampton Railway in 1840 and the subsequent decision by the London & South Western Railway (successor of the L&SR) to develop docks there. By the early decades of the twentieth century, it was a hub of transatlantic traffic, serving as an endpoint for the many cruise ships. The fated cruise ship [[RMS Titanic]] left from Southampton on her maiden voyage. With the advent of mass aviation, its importance has declined somewhat, but it still plays host to luxury cruise liners, in particular the [[RMS Queen Elizabeth 2|QE2]].

Although an important medieval port, Southampton fell into a gentle decline and only became a major centre again after the opening of the London & Southampton Railway in 1840 and the subsequent decision by the London & South Western Railway (successor of the L&SR) to develop docks there. By the early decades of the twentieth century, it was a hub of transatlantic traffic, serving as an endpoint for the many cruise ships. The fated cruise ship [[RMS Titanic]] left from Southampton on her maiden voyage. With the advent of mass aviation, its importance has declined somewhat, but it still plays host to luxury cruise liners, in particular the [[RMS Queen Elizabeth 2|QE2]].

[[Category:United Kingdom Cities and Towns]]

[[Category:United Kingdom Cities and Towns]]