Southern England
Southern England
South of England or The South | |
|---|---|
The four Southern England statistical regions combined shown within England. Other definitions of the South vary and have changed over time. | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | England |
| Major cities | Brighton Bristol London Portsmouth Plymouth Southampton |
| Boroughs | |
| Area | |
• Total | 23,955 sq mi (62,042 km2) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 27,945,000 |
| • Density | 1,166.6/sq mi (450.42/km2) |
| • Urban | 22,806,000 |
| • Rural | 5,139,000 |
| Demonym | Southerner |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
Southern England, also known as the South of England or the South, is the southern part of England, covering the statistical regions of London, the South East, the South West and the East. It is bordered by the Midlands to the north, while it also shares a border with Wales to its far north-west. Altogether, it forms a population of nearly 28 million and an area of 23,955 square miles (62,042 km2).
Southern England has cultural, economic and political differences from both the Midlands and the North of England; the Midlands form a dialect chain in a notable north–south divide of England. The South is generally considered wealthier and more politically influential than the North. Within the South itself, multiple influences shape geographic and political divisions, defined by closeness to the capital; Greater London itself, its surrounding Home Counties and outer areas, as well as East Anglia and the West Country. Greater London is by far the most populous county in Southern England, followed by Hampshire, Kent and Essex. On the other hand, Bristol is the largest city in the South excluding London.