South Gloucestershire (pop. 290,424) is a region in southwestern England. In 1996, it became a unitary authority, a unit of government responsible for all local government services within its boundaries. South Gloucestershire is a region of scenic beauty mixed with residential and industrial areas. It is bounded by the River Severn in the west and the Cotswold Hills in the east. Its southern boundary skirts the city of Bristol and the River Avon and extends almost as far as Bath.
South Gloucestershire has several manufacturing industries, including aerospace, engineering, and food processing. The towns of Filton and Patchway are associated with the United Kingdom’s aerospace industry, and Oldbury has a nuclear power station.
