Kingston upon Hull, commonly known as Hull, is a historic port city in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, located on the River Hull and the Humber Estuary. Founded in the late 12th century by monks of Meaux Abbey to export wool, it was renamed Kingston upon Hull in 1299 and grew into a key maritime, trading, and whaling hub, later playing a crucial role in the English Civil Wars and the abolition of slavery through its famous MP, William Wilberforce. Today, Hull is a celebrated cultural destination, having been the UK City of Culture in 2017 and earning the nickname "Hullywood" for its popularity as a filming location for productions like The Crown and Enola Holmes 2, with a new film studio complex planned to open by 2025. Notable landmarks include The Deep aquarium, the historic Old Town, and the Minster. Despite its cultural acclaim and being named among the top places to visit by guides like Time Out and Rough Guides, Hull also faces significant challenges, ranking among the most deprived local authorities in the UK with a lower-than-average life expectancy.