It is located on Devon's south coast between the rivers Plym and Tamar , about 36 miles 58 km southwest of Exeter and miles km southwest of London. It is the most populous city in Devon. Plymouth's history extends back to the Bronze Age , evolving from a trading post at Mount Batten into the thriving market town of Sutton, which was formally re-named as Plymouth in when it was made a borough.
The settlement has played a significant role in English history, notably in when an English fleet based here defeated the Spanish Armada , and in as the departure point for the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World. During the English Civil War , the town was held by the Parliamentarians and was besieged between and In a dockyard was established on the River Tamar for the Royal Navy and Plymouth grew as a commercial shipping port throughout the Industrial Revolution.
After absorbing nearby settlements in , the borough was awarded city status in During World War II , Plymouth suffered extensive damage in the Plymouth Blitz , leading to post-war rebuilding that significantly shaped its modern appearance.
A further expansion of its boundaries in contributed to its current status as the 30th-most populous built-up area in the UK and the second-largest city in the South West after Bristol , with a population in of , Plymouth's economy, historically rooted in shipbuilding and seafaring, has transitioned towards a service-based economy since the s.
It maintains strong maritime connections, hosting HMNB Devonport , the largest operational naval base in Western Europe, and offering ferry links to Brittany and Spain. The city is also home to the University of Plymouth , reflecting its educational and cultural significance. Today, the city is governed locally by Plymouth City Council and is represented nationally by three [ 4 ] Members of Parliament.
