Southern England facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Southern England
South of England
The South |
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Sub-national area of England
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In this image, the official definition of Southern England is illustrated in yellow.
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| Sovereign state | |
| Country | |
| 10 largest settlements in order of population | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 62,042 km2 (23,955 sq mi) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 27,945,000 |
| • Density | 450.421/km2 (1,166.584/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 22,806,000 |
| • Rural | 5,139,000 |
| Demonym(s) | Southerner |
| Time zone | GMT (UTC) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
Southern England, also called the South of England or the South, is a large part of England. It has its own unique culture, economy, and politics. These are different from the Midlands and the North of England.
There's a clear difference between the North and South of England, often called the north–south divide. This divide can be seen in things like how people speak. The South has a population of almost 28 million people. It covers an area of about 62,042 square kilometres (24,000 sq mi). This means it holds about 40% of the United Kingdom's population. It also makes up about a quarter of the UK's total land area.
Southern England has many different identities within it. These are shaped by how close areas are to Greater London, the capital city. Areas like the Home Counties are close to London and share some of its culture. However, they still see themselves as separate. The South also has different geographical areas. These include low-lying fenlands in the north-east, downlands and coastal plains in the south, and areas following the River Thames to the west.
Contents
What is Southern England?
The UK government doesn't officially define Southern England as one single place. However, the Office for National Statistics divides the UK into twelve regions for official numbers. In England, the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber are called the North. The West Midlands and East Midlands are called the Midlands. The rest of England is considered the South.
Most people think the South includes the South East (92%), Greater London (88%), and South West (87%). Many also include the East of England (57%). But some people (35%) think the East of England is part of the Midlands. People in the North tend to see the East of England as part of the South more often than people living in the South or Midlands do.
Geography of the South
Southern England shares land borders with Wales and the English Midlands. It also has sea borders with France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
The land in the South is generally flatter than in the North. However, there are some hill ranges. These include the Cotswolds and the Chilterns. The highest point in Southern England is High Willhays. It is 621 metres (2,037 ft) tall. You can find it in Devon, inside Dartmoor National Park.
London is the biggest city in Southern England. It is also the capital city of the United Kingdom. The London Metropolitan Area is home to 14.2 million people (as of 2019). This makes it the largest metropolitan area in all of Europe.
People and Languages
English Language in the South
English is the main language spoken in Southern England. It is the native language of the English people.
The way people speak English in the South is different from other parts of the UK. Because the South is important in media and politics, the standard way of speaking British English is based on how people speak in the South. For example, Received Pronunciation (often called "RP") is the standard British accent. It sounds very similar to the educated speech heard in London, Oxford, and Cambridge.
Cornish Language
Cornish is a language spoken in Cornwall. It is a revived language, meaning it was almost lost but is now being spoken again. The Cornish language is a very important part of the identity and culture of the Cornish people.
Southern Identity
People often use the terms "southern" and "south" without thinking too much about the different areas within Southern England. This can make it confusing to understand how much people from different parts of the South feel connected. Just like in other parts of England, people often feel more connected to their own county or city.
For example, someone from Essex might not feel much connection to someone from Oxfordshire. There is also a big difference between people from the south-west and the south-east. A broadcaster named Stuart Maconie once said that while there's a "bottom half of England" culturally, there isn't one single "south" in the same way there is a "north."
Education in the South
Southern England is home to many famous universities. These include the ancient universities of Oxford and Cambridge. There are also many other top universities, such as Imperial College London, University of Exeter, and the London School of Economics.
Sports in the South
Football
The South Coast Derby is a name for football matches between Portsmouth Football Club and Southampton Football Club. These are usually big rival games.
When Portsmouth was not in the top football league, other teams like AFC Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion became more important. These teams are about 30 miles and 60 miles from Southampton. Sometimes, games against them were also called a South Coast derby.
Other important football rivalries in Southern England include West Country derbies and London derbies.
Rugby
Rugby union is the main type of rugby played in the South. There is also a smaller presence of rugby league. One of the biggest rugby rivalries is the West Country derby. This is a match between Bath and Gloucester.
Regions and Counties
Regions and Ceremonial Counties
Southern England is made up of four main regions. These are the East of England, London, South East, and South West. Within these regions, there are 22 ceremonial counties:
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South West: South East: |
London: East: |
Local Control
Some areas in Southern England have more local control over their own affairs. This is called "devolution." It means that local groups and councils can make more decisions for their communities. Examples include:
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Historic Counties
The historic counties were used for official purposes a long time ago, but not anymore since 1899. However, they are still important to some people. For example, they are used in county cricket.
Other Areas
There are also other ways to describe parts of Southern England:
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