9781422283615

INTRODUCTION

London is the capital of the United Kingdom (UK), which is made up of Great Britain

(England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland. The city lies in the southeast of England and covers an area of about 607 square miles (1,578 sq km) on either side of the River Thames. With a population of over eight million, London is by far the largest city in the UK. Birmingham, the second largest, has just over one million inhabitants.

Royal residence English (later British) kings and queens have lived in London for almost 1,000 years. There are several royal palaces in the capital. St James’s Palace was built by King Henry VIII in the 16th century. Since 1837 the monarch has lived in Buckingham Palace. everything from musicals to William Shakespeare’s plays. The city also contains many cinemas, concert halls, museums, and art galleries. Cultural life London is a world-class cultural center. It has more than 200 theaters, where audiences enjoy Financial center The oldest part of London is the City. This small area on the north bank of the Thames is often called the Square Mile . The City contains the Stock Exchange, the Bank of England, and many other organizations that make it one of the most important financial centers in the world.

St Paul’s Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge show how London combines the old with the new. ⌂

4

Major World Cities

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker