London, the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations.Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city.
London is a major settlement for nearly two millennia. The City of London, its ancient core and financial centre, was founded by the Romans as Londinium and retains its medieval boundaries. The City of Westminster, to the west of the City of London, has for centuries hosted the national government and parliament.
The City of London
The City of London, often simply referred to as "The City," is a historic financial district and the ancient core of London, England. It is a city, ceremonial county, and local government district that contains the ancient centre and is one of the leading financial centers of the world. The City of London is sometimes called "the Square Mile" because it is 1.12 square miles (2.90 square kilometers) in area.
The City is home to many of the world's leading financial institutions, including the London Stock Exchange, the Bank of England, and Lloyd's of London. It is also a major center for insurance, law, and accounting. The City is a major tourist destination, and is home to many famous landmarks, including St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and the Barbican Centre.
The City has a long and rich history, dating back to Roman times. It was the walled Roman city of Londinium, and was later the capital of the Kingdom of England. The City has played a key role in the development of the English economy, and has been a center for trade and finance for centuries.
Greater London
Greater London, an urban conurbation, has an official population of 8,982,229 in 2020. This figure is based on the combined populations of the 33 local government districts plus the City of London. The Greater London Authority (GLA) is the regional administrative body for Greater London, and the mayor of London is its executive head.
London is a major international centre for business, finance, culture, education, tourism, and media. It is home to the headquarters of many of the world's largest banks and companies, and is a leading centre for international trade and finance. It is also a leading global city for culture, with a world-renowned arts and music scene, and is home to many world-class museums and galleries.
London is a popular tourist destination, with over 19 million visitors in 2015. The city is home to many famous landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and the Tower of London. It is also a major centre for shopping, with a wide variety of high-end stores and department stores.
London is a diverse and multicultural city, with people from over 200 countries living in the city. It is also a very religious city, with a large number of churches, mosques, and synagogues.
London is a city of great contrasts, with both rich and poor areas. It is also a city of great challenges, with issues such as poverty, crime, and pollution. However, London is also a city of great hope and opportunity, and it is a city that is constantly changing and evolving.
History of London
The history of London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, stretches back over 2,000 years. In that time, it has become one of the world's most significant financial and cultural capital cities. It has withstood plague, devastating fire, civil war, aerial bombardment, terrorist attacks, and riots.
Roman Londinium
The earliest evidence of human settlement in the London area dates back to around 6,000 BC. However, it was not until the Romans arrived in Britain in 43 AD that London truly began to take shape. The Romans founded a port and trading settlement called Londinium on the banks of the River Thames. Londinium quickly grew into a thriving city, with a population of around 50,000 people by the end of the 1st century AD.
Medieval and Early Modern London
After the Romans left Britain in the 5th century AD, Londinium was sacked by the Anglo-Saxons. However, the city soon recovered and became an important center of trade and commerce. In the 11th century, the Normans conquered England and built a new city around Londinium, which they called London. Under Norman rule, London continued to grow and prosper.
In the Middle Ages, London was a major center of the wool trade. The city was also home to a number of important religious institutions, including Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral. London was also a major center of learning, and it was home to the first university in England, the University of Oxford.
17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries
The 17th century was a time of great change for London. The city was devastated by the Great Fire of 1666, which destroyed over 13,000 homes and left over 100,000 people homeless. However, London quickly rebuilt and emerged from the fire a more modern and prosperous city.
The 18th and 19th centuries were a time of rapid industrialization for London. The city became a major center of manufacturing, and it was home to a number of important technological innovations, including the steam engine and the railway. London also played a leading role in the development of the British Empire, and it was the capital of the world's largest empire in the 19th century.
20th and 21st Centuries
The 20th century was a time of great change and upheaval for London. The city was bombed heavily during World War II, and it was also a major center of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. In recent years, London has become a major center of international finance and culture. It is home to the headquarters of many of the world's largest banks and companies, and it is a leading global city for culture, with a world-renowned arts and music scene, and is home to many world-class museums and galleries.