Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in Dorset, England.
The town has a population of 163,444 according to the 2001 Census making it the largest town on the south coast.
Founded in 1810 by Lewis Tregonwell, Bournemouth's growth accelerated with the arrival of the railway, becoming a recognised town in 1870.
Bournemouth's location on the south coast of England has made it a popular destination for tourists.
In a 2007 survey Bournemouth was found to be the happiest place in Britain with 82% of people questioned saying they were happy with their life.
In late August 2008, it was published that the East Dorset conurbation (including Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch) is the safest place to live in England and Wales in terms of crime.
Source: Wikipedia
