| The town of Southend-on-Sea, Essex is locally | | | | seaside resorts have lost some measure of popularity, |
| famous as a seaside resort municipality. It is also what | | | | which has meant that the Southend's downtown or |
| is known as a unitary authority area. With a total | | | | central district has been redeveloped to support |
| population of about 162, 000 people (it is part of a | | | | commerce and other business-type functions. |
| borough of several other towns), it lies only around 40 | | | | That pier also has a railway that runs down its center. |
| miles to the east of London's central district and acts | | | | Additionally, a number of interesting tourist-type |
| as a component of the Thames Gateway, along the | | | | businesses and attractions are congregated around |
| Thames estuary. | | | | the pier itself. This includes a large amusement park |
| Southend-on-Sea first became a seaside resort back | | | | focused on the Peter Pan theme, and a sea life |
| during the Georgian era. Originally, it was a part of the | | | | aquarium. There is also an annual air show that takes |
| village of Prittlewell's south end, and took its name from | | | | place each May, along with a large festive carnival. |
| that geographic location. It has depended for its | | | | Essex, the county in which the town of Southend |
| existence on tourism ever since, mainly due to its close | | | | resides, is both ceremonial and non-metropolitan in its |
| proximity to London and the easy availability of train | | | | classification. It can boast of a population of around 1. 7 |
| transportation. | | | | million people, ranking it 6th in total population in the |
| The town can also boast of having the world's | | | | country. Historic in its origin, Essex is home to over 14, |
| lengthiest pier made solely for pleasure-type activities, | | | | 000 buildings and structures that hark back to an |
| at nearly 1. 5 miles (1. 34). Over the years in England, | | | | English past rich in tradition and classic atmosphere. |