Basingstoke is a large town in north Hampshire and one of the county's principal commercial centres, with a population of around 107,000 in its urban area. Originally a historic market town, it was substantially expanded from the 1960s onwards as part of London overspill development programmes, acquiring a modern town centre and significant industrial and business estates. Today Basingstoke is known for its strong commuter links to London, its large shopping centre Festival Place, its diverse leisure offer and the headquarters of several major national and international companies.