Sunderland is a city and borough in the county of Tyne and Wear in the north east of England in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Sunderland is the largest city between Leeds and Edinburgh. 12 miles away from Sunderland is the city of Newcastle. Sunderland is bigger than Newcastle in area and population. The River Wear flows through the city of Sunderland, coming from the Pennines and flows through the historic city of Durham before reaching Sunderland. Sunderland was once, in the 1920s and 1930s, the biggest shipbuilding site in the world, because of the River Wear. Sunderland has been the home of Sunderland A.F.C. since 1879 when it was founded by Scottish schoolteacher James Allan as Sunderland an District Teahcers' Association Football Club.

Sunderland is the ancestral home of the founder of George Washington, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, as well as its first president. The town of Wshington is a suburb of Sunderland, and was formerly owned by, and subsequently named after, the Washington family. George Washington's father was born in Washington before emigrating to America while it was still a British colony. Today, because of this strong link, Sunderland and Washington D.C. (also named after Washington), the capital city of the United States, are sister cities. It is also sister cities with Essen in Germany and Saint-Nazaire in France.

Sunderland was the largest town in the United Kingdom 1992, when it was granted city status for Queen Elizabeth II's 40th Jubilee. It became the first town in the United Kingdom to be awarded city status despite not having a cathedral, although it does have Sunderland Minster. Sunderland has produced some famous people, such as Terry Deary, James Bolam and Micky Gray. RAF Sunderland is host of the annual, world famous Sunderland Air Show which attracts thousands of people every year. Sunderland is home of The Stadium Of Light, the home stadium of Sunderland A.F.C. The Stadium Of Light is the largest stadium in the United Kingdom that was built in the second half of the 20th century. It was originally built with a capacity of 42000, but was later increased to 49000. As of the 2012/2013 season it is the 4th largest stadium The Football Association Premier League. It is larger than Anfield, the home stadium of Liverpool F.C., and it is larger than Stamford Bridge, the home stadium of Chelsea F.C.

Some of the famous landmarks in Sunderland include the massive Echo 24 facilities, the Nissan UK carplant, Penshaw monument, Sunderland Aquatic centre, The Bridges. Hylton Castle, Fulwell Windmill and the unique National Glass Centre.