Sunderland, England, a city on the northeastern coast at the mouth of the Wear River, about 245 miles (394 km) north-northwest of London. Sunderland is a shipbuilding and marine engineering center and also produces chemicals, electrical goods, clothing, and pottery. Its port handles mainly coal, mined in the surrounding area. The city has a technical college.
Sunderland dates from the seventh century when a monastery was established here by St. Benedict Biscop.
Population (district): 280,807.
