Hampshire is a non-metropolitan county located on the south coast of England, United Kingdom. Its capital is Winchester, and its approximate population (2003) is of 1.660.818 inhabitants. Historically it has been denominated of very diverse forms: Southamptonshire, Hamptonshire, Old Hampshire or county of Southampton.
The county borders, to the west, with the counties of Dorset and Wiltshire; To the north, with the county of Berkshire; To the east, with the counties of Surrey and West Sussex; And to the south, with the sea. It occupies an approximate area of 3,769 km² (1,400 square miles). From north to south it measures 65 miles (47 km), and from east to west 90 km (53 miles). The ceremonial county includes the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton which are, administratively, independent. However, the cities of Christchurch and Bournemouth, located within the county's historic boundaries, form part of Dorset County since 1974.
Hampshire Map
Hampshire is one of the top holiday destinations in England. There are several attractions and resorts close to the coast, such as the Portsmouth waterfront, the Beaulieu motor museum, and the Thruxton race track. Within its boundaries lies the New Forest National Park as well as much of the recent South Downs National Park. Hampshire has a long history related to the sea and two of the largest ports in England, Portsmouth and Southampton, are on its shores. The writers Jane Austen and Charles Dickens were born in this county, as well as the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Also born there Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, who was decisive in the battle of Al-Amein in the Second World War. Hampshire is lucky to have one of the best natural landscapes in the country, and with an easily accessible coastline, offering a wide range of leisure and sports activities.
The earliest vestiges of human life in this area date back to the Neolithic period. The first settlers built forts in the hills, like the one of Winklebury, and they cultivated the valleys of the county. Hampshire was part of an area called by the Celts as Gwent or Y Went, which also extended through the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset. During the Roman conquest of Britain, Hampshire was one of the areas first occupied by invading Roman troops. The southern part of the county, known as Meon, and particularly the valley of the river Hamble, was occupied by the tribe of the Jutish (495), until the arrival of the Saxons in 530. Hampshire is one of the earliest " Shires "(counties) Saxon, which has been known since the year 755. After the Saxon advance to the west, Hampshire became the center of the kingdom of Wessex. The city of Winchester was the capital of the country in the time of Anglo-Saxon rule. Numerous Saxon kings are buried in Winchester.
In Winchester beer and cider are produced and the textile production has been traditional since the Middle Ages. In areas where there is no forest, the peasants are engaged in agriculture, especially cereals and dairy production.
After the Norman Conquest, the county was favored by the Norman kings who established the "New Forest" as a royal hunting ground. From the twelfth century the county ports began to gain in importance. They served to trade with the European continent, especially wool and textiles made in Hampshire. The first fishing industries were established as well as the first shipyards.
The port of Southampton has been the starting point for some of the most famous ships in history, such as the Mayflower that brought the first settlers to the United States and the Titanic.
Hampshire played an important role during World War II since in the port of Portsmouth was one of the largest bases of the British navy. In addition, the designers of Spitfire and other aircraft were based in Southampton, which caused the city to be bombed on several occasions.
Hampshire was the starting point for some of those who later settled on the east coast of what is now the United States in the seventeenth century, giving its name in particular to the state of New Hampshire. The counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton, Virginia, reflect the origins of some of the earliest settlers of Jamestown.
The county borders, to the west, with the counties of Dorset and Wiltshire; To the north, with the county of Berkshire; To the east, with the counties of Surrey and West Sussex; And to the south, with the sea. It occupies an approximate area of 3,769 km² (1,400 square miles). From north to south it measures 65 miles (47 km), and from east to west 90 km (53 miles). The ceremonial county includes the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton which are, administratively, independent. However, the cities of Christchurch and Bournemouth, located within the county's historic boundaries, form part of Dorset County since 1974.
Hampshire Map
Hampshire is one of the top holiday destinations in England. There are several attractions and resorts close to the coast, such as the Portsmouth waterfront, the Beaulieu motor museum, and the Thruxton race track. Within its boundaries lies the New Forest National Park as well as much of the recent South Downs National Park. Hampshire has a long history related to the sea and two of the largest ports in England, Portsmouth and Southampton, are on its shores. The writers Jane Austen and Charles Dickens were born in this county, as well as the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Also born there Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, who was decisive in the battle of Al-Amein in the Second World War. Hampshire is lucky to have one of the best natural landscapes in the country, and with an easily accessible coastline, offering a wide range of leisure and sports activities.
The earliest vestiges of human life in this area date back to the Neolithic period. The first settlers built forts in the hills, like the one of Winklebury, and they cultivated the valleys of the county. Hampshire was part of an area called by the Celts as Gwent or Y Went, which also extended through the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset. During the Roman conquest of Britain, Hampshire was one of the areas first occupied by invading Roman troops. The southern part of the county, known as Meon, and particularly the valley of the river Hamble, was occupied by the tribe of the Jutish (495), until the arrival of the Saxons in 530. Hampshire is one of the earliest " Shires "(counties) Saxon, which has been known since the year 755. After the Saxon advance to the west, Hampshire became the center of the kingdom of Wessex. The city of Winchester was the capital of the country in the time of Anglo-Saxon rule. Numerous Saxon kings are buried in Winchester.
In Winchester beer and cider are produced and the textile production has been traditional since the Middle Ages. In areas where there is no forest, the peasants are engaged in agriculture, especially cereals and dairy production.
After the Norman Conquest, the county was favored by the Norman kings who established the "New Forest" as a royal hunting ground. From the twelfth century the county ports began to gain in importance. They served to trade with the European continent, especially wool and textiles made in Hampshire. The first fishing industries were established as well as the first shipyards.
The port of Southampton has been the starting point for some of the most famous ships in history, such as the Mayflower that brought the first settlers to the United States and the Titanic.
Hampshire played an important role during World War II since in the port of Portsmouth was one of the largest bases of the British navy. In addition, the designers of Spitfire and other aircraft were based in Southampton, which caused the city to be bombed on several occasions.
Hampshire was the starting point for some of those who later settled on the east coast of what is now the United States in the seventeenth century, giving its name in particular to the state of New Hampshire. The counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton, Virginia, reflect the origins of some of the earliest settlers of Jamestown.
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