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South East Region

Although predominantly rural, the South East has a population of over 8.2 million and includes the urban centres of Southampton, Portsmouth, Reading, Brighton and Hove, Guildford and Milton Keynes. The population of the South East is growing at twice the rate of the national average.

The South East is the most economically active, and superficially the most prosperous, region of the UK. Despite this, it contains pockets of serious poverty and deprivation, especially in coasal towns and some rural communities.

There is a strong focus on tourism with unrivalled heritage attractions and large areas of outstanding natural beauty including many miles of designated hertiage coastline. The wealth of cultural and leisure opportunities attract over 150 million day visitors every year.

The region has 74 local authorities, including 7 county councils with 55 district authorities and 12 unitary councils, the largest number of local authorities in any English Region.

There are more than 300 museums and galleries in the South East - the highest number in any region in the UK