The population of the region at the 2011 census was 8,634,750 making it the most populous English region.[1] The major conurbations of the region include Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton (population in 2011 474,000), Portsmouth (461,000), Southampton (377,000) and Reading (318,000).[2] Settlements closer to London are part of the conurbation known as the Greater London Urban Area.