Solent

Geographical location

The Solent is a strait and a branch of the English Channel between the south coast of England against Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

Generally

The Solent is the area between the south coast of England and the Isle of Wight, one of the main tourist destinations of the English. The Solent is one of the best sailing areas in England and has to offer the sailing capital of the island with Cowes.

Geography

The waters of the Solent have as tidal waters to extreme flow conditions. Tributaries of the Solent are the Medina, which flows from the Isle of Wight in the port of Cowes in the Solent and Southampton Water.

The eastern part of the Solent is the strait Spithead, which is located northeast of the Isle of Wight and south of Portsmouth.

History

1545 sank the Mary Rose in a naval battle against the French during the Italian War of 1542-1546 in the Solent.

1782 capsized and sank in the Solent the warship HMS Royal George, while it was at anchor. Between 800 and 950 people drowned there.

Regular events

• Cowes Week: The Solent is home to the famous and most traditional sailing regatta in England, Cowes Week, held annually since 1826 in August in the town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
• Admiral 's Cup: Until 1999 this was also the ' Admiral 's Cup ' instead.