The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Christchurch, city and district, England
city (1991 pop. 32,854) and district, Dorset, S central England, on Christchurch Bay at the confluence of the Avon and Stour rivers. The city’s industries range from aircraft manufacturing to salmon fishing. Christchurch is also a resort. Its history dates back to Anglo-Saxon times; its name derives from the church that was part of the Augustinian priory founded there before the Norman conquest of England.
