Town in Hampshire, England, 72 km/45 mi west-southwest of London; population (2001) 90,200. It is a financial centre, containing the headquarters of the Automobile Association and Sun Life Insurance. Industries include light engineering, food processing, printing, publishing, and the manufacture of cosmetics (Wella, Alberto-Culver), scientific instruments, medical equipment, agricultural machinery, and electronics. Many traces of Roman occupation have been discovered in the area. In the 18th century, Basingstoke was an important staging post on the turnpike road from London to Andover. The coming of the railway in 1840 brought more trade to the town. After its designation as a London overspill area in 1961, Basingstoke's population rose from 26,000 to 60,000 by 1973. The appearance of the town underwent drastic alteration, with major demolition operations sweeping away old buildings, and the creation of a new town centre. A 2002 redevelopment project, Festival Place, transformed…