Portsmouth (UK)

Port and administrative centre of Portsmouth City unitary authority in south England, on the peninsula of Portsea Island opposite the Isle of Wight, 118 km/73 mi southwest of London; population (2001) 187,050. Famed for its naval history, some naval facilities remain despite the closure of the dockyard in 1981. It is also a ferry port, with links to the Channel Islands, France, and the Isle of Wight. Industries are based around high technology and manufacturing, including aircraft engineering, electronics, and shipbuilding and maintenance.

History
Portsmouth was a port by the 9th century, but was formally founded in 1170 when wealthy landowner and merchant Jean de Gisors was attracted to the area by the natural harbour and the possibilities for trade. A planned town, the medieval gridded street pattern remains. However, de Gisors supported an unsuccessful rebellion against Richard I and, as punishment, had his land confiscated. Richard recognized the town's strategic importance, and continued the creation of a settlement on Portsea Island; he also granted the town its first charter. By the beginning of the 13th century Portsmouth had become an important naval station, and the docks were fortified. In 1585 adventurer Walter Raleigh berthed in the town with the first tobacco, potatoes, and oranges ever seen in England. George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham was assassinated in Portsmouth in 1628. The marriage of Charles II with Catherine of Braganza took place here in 1662. The port was the first embarkation point for the convicts who were transported to Australia in 1787. Admiral Horatio Nelson and his fleet departed for Cape Trafalgar, Spain, from Portsmouth in 1805. Because of Portsmouth's naval importance it was a major military target during World War II, and of the 70,000 buildings there at the time 65,000 suffered some damage in air raids, of which 6,650 were totally destroyed. However, Portsmouth was still a principal embarkation point in the D-day Normandy invasions.