Southend-on-Sea (pop. 180,686) is a seaside resort in southeastern Essex, England. In 1998, Southend-on-Sea became a unitary authority, the primary form of local government in the United Kingdom. The town stands near the mouth of the River Thames on the north bank, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of London. The town’s pier, which is about 11/3 miles (2.2 kilometers) long, is one of the largest in the world. Southend has a busy airport. See Essex.
