Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is mainly on Portsea Island. It is situated 64 miles (103 km) south west of London and 19 miles (30.58 kilometers) south east of Southampton.
As a significant naval port for centuries, Portsmouth is home to the world's oldest dry dock still in use and also home to some famous ships, including HMS Warrior, the Tudor carrack Mary Rose, HMS Dreadnought and Lord Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory. The naval base remains a major dockyard and base for the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Commandos whose Headquarters resides there. There is also a thriving commercial cruise ship and ferryport serving destinations on the continent for freight and passenger traffic. The City of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Football Club are both nicknamed Pompey.
The Spinnaker Tower is a striking recent addition to the city's skyline. It can be found in the redeveloped former HMS Vernon, formerly a shore establishment or 'stone frigate' of the Royal Navy, now an area of retail outlets, restaurants, clubs and bars now known as Gunwharf Quays.
The City of Portsmouth has a population of 278,191 and is the only city in England with a greater population density (6,911.58 people/km2 (19,188.91 people/square mile)) than London (7,120.86 people/km2 (18,433.02 people/square mi)). Portsmouth forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which includes Southampton, Havant, Waterlooville, Eastleigh, Fareham and Gosport, and is the 6th largest urban area in England and the largest in Hampshire, with an estimated 1,143,800 residents according to the 2011 Census this area forms the centre of one of the United Kingdom's most populous metropolitan areas with a population in excess of two million.
