London 17867 226162811 2008-07-17T02:48:59Z 81.104.204.51 /* External links */ {{Infobox Settlement |settlement_type = |name=London |official_name=Greater London ||image_skyline=442px_-_London_Lead_Image.jpg |imagesize=280px |image_caption ='''Top:''' [[City of London]] skyline, '''Middle''': [[Palace of Westminster]], '''Bottom left:''' [[Tower Bridge]], '''Bottom right:''' [[Tower of London]]. |image_map=London (European Parliament constituency).svg |mapsize=130px |map_caption=[[Greater London|London region]] shown within the [[United Kingdom]] ||subdivision_type=[[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]] |subdivision_name=[[United Kingdom]] |subdivision_type1=[[Constituent country]] |subdivision_name1=[[England]] |subdivision_type2=[[Regions of England|Region]] |subdivision_name2=[[Greater London|London]] |subdivision_type3=[[Districts of England|Districts]] |subdivision_name3=[[City of London|City]] and [[London borough|32 boroughs]] |seat_type = |seat = |parts_type = |parts_style=<!-- =list (for list), coll (for collapsed list), para (for paragraph format) Default is list if up to 5 items, coll if more than 5--> |parts=<!-- parts text, or header for parts list --> | About this image |leader_title=Regional authority |leader_name=[[Greater London Authority]] |leader_title1=[[Regional Assemblies in England|Regional&nbsp;assembly]] |leader_name1=[[London Assembly]] |leader_title2=[[Mayor of London|Mayor]] |leader_name2=[[Boris Johnson]] |leader_title3=HQ |leader_name3=[[City Hall (London)|City Hall]] |leader_title4=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK&nbsp;Parliament]]</br>&nbsp;-&nbsp;London&nbsp;Assembly</br>&nbsp;-&nbsp;[[European Parliament|European&nbsp;Parliament]] |leader_name4=[[List of Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London|74 constituencies]]</br> [[London Assembly constituencies|14 constituencies]]</br> [[London (European Parliament constituency)|London constituency]] |established_title=Settled by [[Roman Empire|Romans]] |established_date=as [[Roman London|Londinium]] [[circa|c.]] [[Anno Domini|AD]] 50 ||area_magnitude=1 E9 |area_total_sq_mi=609 ||population_as_of=2006 est. |population_footnotes =<ref name=Greater_London_population>{{cite web | title=T 08: Selected age groups for local authorities in the United Kingdom; estimated resident population; Mid-2006 Population Estimates | publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] | date=[[August 22]], [[2007]]| url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=9664&More=Y | format=XLS | accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>{{,}}<ref name="urban_area_pop">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8271&More=Y|title=KS01 Usual resident population: Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas|publisher=www.statistics.gov.uk|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref><ref name="metro_area_pop1">{{cite web|url=http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&srt=npan&col=aohdq&pt=a&va=&srt=pnan|title=World Gazetteer|publisher=World: metropolitan areas|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>{{,}}<ref name=metro_area_pop2>{{cite web | title=London Metropolitan Area population | date=[[August 28]], [[2007]]| url=http://www.demographia.com/dm-lonarea.htm|publisher=Demographia|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> ||total_type=Greater London |population_total=7,355,400 |population_density_km2=4761 |population_density_sq_mi=12331 |population_metro=13 063 441 [http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gpro&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-81&srt=pnan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&pt=a&va=&geo=-1048651] |population_urban=8,278,251 |population_blank1_title=[[Demonym]] |population_blank1=Londoner |population_blank2_title =Ethnicity<br /><small>([[United Kingdom Census 2001|2005 Estimates]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276743&c=London&d=13&e=13&g=325264&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1201351285750&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1812|title=Neighbourhood Statistics|publisher=Neighbourhood Statistics|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref>) </small> |population_blank2 ={{Collapsible list |title =Ethnic groups |frame_style=border:none; padding: 0; <!--NOTICE: This will hide the borders and make rows closer (padding)--> |title_style = |list_style=text-align:left;display:none; |1 ='''69.6% [[White people|White]]''' |2=58.2% [[White British]] |3=2.6% [[Irish Briton|White Irish]] |4=8.8% [[White Other (United Kingdom Census)|Other White]] |5=&nbsp; |6= '''12.9% [[British Asian|South Asian]]''' |7=6.4% [[Indian British|Indian]] |8=2.2% [[Pakistani British|Pakistani]] |9=2.2% [[British Asian|Bangladeshi]] |10=2.0% [[British Asian|Other South Asian]] |11=&nbsp; |12='''10.8% [[Black British|Black]]''' |13=4.4% [[British African-Caribbean community|Black Caribbean]] |14=5.5% [[African British|Black African]] |15 =0.8% [[Black British|Other Black]] |16 =&nbsp; |17='''3.4% [[British Mixed|Mixed]]''' |18=1.0% [[British Mixed|White & Black Caribbean]] |19=0.5% [[British Mixed|White & Black African]] |20=0.9% [[British Mixed|White & South Asian]] |21=0.9% [[British Mixed|White & Other]] |22 =&nbsp; |23='''3.3% [[Oriental British|East Asian]] [[Other ethnic group (United Kingdom Census)|and Other]]''' |24=1.4% [[British Chinese|Chinese]] |25=1.9% [[Other ethnic group (United Kingdom Census)|Other]] |26= |27= |28= |29= |30= |31 = |32= |33= |34= |35= |36= |37= |38= |39= |40= }} ||timezone=[[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |utc_offset=0 |timezone_DST=[[British Summer Time|BST]] |utc_offset_DST=+1 |latd=51 |latm=30 |lats=28 |latNS=N |longd=00 |longm=07 |longs=41 |longEW=W |elevation_footnotes =<ref name=Elevation>{{cite web |url=http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/03772.html |title=London, United Kingdom Forecast : Weather Underground (weather and elevation at Heathrow Airport)|publisher=The Weather Underground, Inc.|accessdate=2008-06-06 |format=online}}</ref> |elevation_m=24 |elevation_ft=79 ||postal_code_type=Post code |postal_code=[[London postal district|Various]] ||website=[http://www.london.gov.uk/ www.london.gov.uk] |footnotes = }} <!-- end of the infobox --> '''London''' ({{Audio|En-uk-London.ogg|pronunciation}}; {{IPAEng|ˈlʌndən}}) is the largest urban area and [[capital]] of [[England]] and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_2006_1.html|title=The world’s largest cities and urban areas in 2006|publisher=City Mayors.com|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> An important settlement for two millennia, [[History of London|London's history]] goes back to its founding by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Permanent/RomanLondon.htm|title=Roman|publisher=The [[Museum of London]]|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> Since its settlement, London has been part of many important movements and phenomena throughout history, such as the [[English Renaissance]], the [[Industrial Revolution]], and the [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/gothicrevival.html|title=Gothic Revival|publisher=Ontario Architecture|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The city's core, the ancient [[City of London]], still retains its limited mediaeval boundaries; but since at least the 19th century the name "London" has also referred to the whole metropolis which has developed around it.<ref name=mills>Mills, A., ''Dictionary of London Place Names'', (2001), Oxford</ref> Today the bulk of this [[conurbation]] forms the London [[Regions of England|region of England]]<ref name="region">{{cite web|url=http://www.gos.gov.uk/gol/factgol/London/?a=42496 Fact Files: London|title=Government Offices for the English Regions|publisher=Government Office for London|accessdate=2008-05-04}}</ref> and the [[Greater London]] administrative area,<ref name="elcock">{{cite book|last=Elcock|first=Howard|title=Local Government: Policy and Management in Local Authorities|publisher=Routledge|date=1994|pages=368|isbn=0415101670}}</ref> with its own elected [[Mayor of London|mayor]] and [[London Assembly|assembly]].<ref name="politics_uk">{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Bill|coauthors=Dennis Kavanagh, Michael Moran, Philip Norton|title=Politics UK|publisher=Pearson Education|date=2007|pages=868|isbn=1405824115}}</ref> London is one of the world's leading [[business]], [[finance|financial]], and [[cultural]] centres,<ref>{{cite web | last=Z/Yen Limited | title=The Competitive Position of London as a Global Financial Centre | publisher=CityOfLondon.gov.uk | date=November 2005 | url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/131B4294-698B-4FAF-9758-080CCE86A36C/0/BC_RS_compposition_FR.pdf | format=PDF|publisher=CityOfLondon|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> and its influence in [[politics]], [[education]], [[entertainment]], [[Mass media|media]], [[fashion]] and the [[arts]] all contribute to its status as a major [[global city]].<ref> * [http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citylist.html Inventory of World Cities], GaWC, [[Loughborough University]] Retrieved on [[2007-08-16]]; * Sassen, Saskia - ''[http://press.princeton.edu/titles/6943.html The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo.]'' (1991) - [[Princeton University Press]]. ISBN 0-691-07063-6. Retrieved on [[2007-08-16]]; * Global Cities: GaWC Inventory of World Cities 1999 [[Global cities#GaWC Inventory of World Cities (1999 Edition)]]; * Global Cities: GaWC Inventory of World Cities 2004 [[Global cities#GaWC Leading World Cities (2004 Edition)]]</ref> London boasts four [[World Heritage Site]]s: The [[Palace of Westminster]], [[Westminster Abbey]] and [[St. Margaret's, Westminster|St. Margaret's Church]]; the [[Tower of London]]; the historic settlement of [[Greenwich]]; and the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/gb|title=Lists: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|publisher=World Heritage|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and its popularity has increased over the years due to economic growth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.y-axis.com/verybritish/VisitOverseas.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070123080157/http://www.y-axis.com/verybritish/VisitOverseas.htm|archivedate=2007-01-23|title=Very British Career Fair - Visit Overseas|publisher=Y-axis Overseas Careers|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> London's diverse population draws from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions, and over 300 languages are spoken within the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cilt.org.uk/faqs/langspoken.htm|title=Languages spoken in the UK population.|publisher=CILT|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> As of 2006, it has an official population of 7,512,400 within the boundaries of [[Greater London]]<ref name=Greater_London_population /> and is the [[Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits|most populous municipality]] in the [[European Union]] <ref name="largest_city_eu">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=384|title=Largest EU City. Over 7 million residents in 2001|publisher=www.statistics.gov.uk|accessdate=2008-06-28}}</ref> As of 2001, the [[Greater London Urban Area]] has a population of 8,278,251<ref name=urban_area_pop /> and the [[metropolitan area]] is estimated to have a total population of between 12 and 14&nbsp;million.<ref name=metro_area_pop1 /><ref name=metro_area_pop2 /> London will be hosting the [[2012 Summer Olympics]]. == History == {{main|History of London}} === Etymology === {{Main|Etymology of London}} The [[etymology]] of London remains a mystery. The earliest etymological explanation can be attributed to [[Geoffrey of Monmouth]] in ''[[Historia Regum Britanniae]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/gem/index.htm|title=Geoffry of Monmouth Index|publisher=Sacred Texts|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The name is described as originating from [[Lud son of Heli|King Lud]], who had allegedly taken over the city and named it ''Kaerlud''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gatekeepkey.org/Llud_58bc.htm|title=Llud, King of the Britons|publisher=Gatekeep Key|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> This was slurred into ''Kaerludein'' and finally ''London''. Few modern sources support this theory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=London|title=Online Etymology Dictionary|publisher=Douglas Harper|accessdate=2008-05-04}}</ref> Many [[Etymology of London|other theories]] have been advanced over the centuries, mostly deriving it from [[Welsh language|Welsh]] or [[British language (Celtic)|British]], but occasionally from [[Anglo-Saxon language|Anglo-Saxon]] or even [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]. In 1998, [[Richard Coates]], a [[linguistics]] professor, criticised these suggestions, and proposed that the name derives from the pre-Celtic ''*plowonida'', which roughly means "a river too wide to ford".<ref name="Richard Coates">{{cite web|url=http://www.chr.org.uk/legends.htm|title=Legend of London's Origin|publisher=Cultural Heritage Resources|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> He suggested that the [[Thames]] running through London was given this name, and the inhabitants added the suffix ''-on'' or ''-onjon'' to their settlement.<ref name="Richard Coates" /> [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] ''*p'' was regularly lost in [[proto-Celtic]], and through linguistic change, the name developed from ''Plowonidonjon'' to ''Lundonjon'', then contracted to ''Lundein'' or ''Lundyn'', Latinised to ''Londinium'', and finally borrowed by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] as ''Lundene''.<ref name=coates>{{cite journal|last=Coates|first=Richard|authorlink=Richard Coates|year=1998|title=A new explanation of the name of London|journal=Transactions of the Philological Society|volume=96|issue=2|pages=203–229|url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/cookieabsent.html | doi=10.1111/1467-968X.00027 <!--Retrieved from URL by DOI bot-->}}</ref> === Early London === {{imagestack |[[Image:DR 337 Vallebergastenen.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[England Runestones#DR 337|Runestone Dr 337]] raised in memory of two Vikings who died in London.]] [[Image:Westminster Abbey - West Door.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Westminster Abbey]] is one of London's oldest and most important buildings]] |right}} Although there is some evidence of scattered [[Britons (historic)|Brythonic]] settlements in the area, the first major settlement was founded by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] in [[Anno Domini|AD]]&nbsp;43 as ''[[Roman London|Londinium]]'', following the [[Roman conquest of Britain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/history.html|title=Early History of London|publisher=LondonNet|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> This [[Londinium]] lasted for just seventeen years. Around 61, the [[Iceni]] tribe led by Queen [[Boudica]] stormed this first [[Londinium|London]], burning it to the ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/romanbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml|title=British History Timeline - Roman Britain|publisher=British Boradcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The next, heavily-planned incarnation of the city prospered and superseded [[Colchester]] as the capital of the [[Roman Britain|Roman province]] of [[Britannia]] in 100. At its height in the 2nd century, Roman London had a population of around 60,000. The city started a slow decline in the 3rd century because of trouble in the [[Roman Empire]], and by the 5th century the city was largely abandoned.<ref name="London Population">{{cite web|url=http://www.londononline.co.uk/factfile/historical/|title=Historical Overview of London Population.|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> By the 600s, the [[Anglo-Saxons]] had created a new settlement called [[Anglo-Saxon London|Lundenwic]] approximately 1,000&nbsp;yards (0.9&nbsp;km) upstream from the old Roman city, around what is now [[Covent Garden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Past/MissingLink/Themes/TML_themes_Lundenwic.htm|title=The early years of Lundenwic|publisher=The [[Museum of London]]|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> It is likely that there was a harbour at the mouth of the [[River Fleet]] for fishing and trading, and this trading grew until the city was overcome by the [[Viking]]s and forced to relocate the city back to the location of the Roman ''Londinium'' to use its walls for protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections/Onlineresources/RWWC/themes/1295/1288|title=Viking and Danish London|publisher=The [[Museum of London]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Viking attacks continued to increase around the rest of South East England, until 886 when [[Alfred the Great]] recaptured London and made peace with the Danish leader, [[Guthrum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Permanent/medieval/Themes/1033/1035/default.htm|title=Medievil London - Vikings|publisher=The [[Museum of London]]|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The original Saxon city of Lundenwic became ''Ealdwic'' ("old city"), a name surviving to the present day as [[Aldwych]], which is in the modern [[City of Westminster]]. Subsequently, under the control of various English kings, London once again prospered as an international trading centre and political arena. However, Viking raids began again in the late 10th century, and reached a head in 1013 when they besieged the city under Danish King [[Canute the Great|Canute]] and forced English King [[Ethelred the Unready]] to flee.<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> In a retaliatory attack, Ethelred's army achieved victory by pulling down [[London Bridge]] with the Danish garrison on top, and English control was re-established. Canute took control of the English throne in 1017, controlling the city and country until 1042, when his death resulted in a reversion to [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] control under his pious stepson [[Edward the Confessor]], who re-founded [[Westminster Abbey]] and the adjacent [[Palace of Westminster]].<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> By this time, London had become the largest and most prosperous city in England, although the official [[seat of government]] was still at [[Winchester]].<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> The [[City of London]] (corresponding closely to the area of Roman London) together with [[Westminster]], comprised the core of the built-up area in early mediaeval times. === Norman and medieval London === {{see also|Fortifications of London}} [[Image:London 1300 Historical Atlas William R Shepherd (died 1934).PNG|thumb|left|225px|Map of London in 1300, showing the medieval boundaries of the [[City of London]]]] Following a victory at the [[Battle of Hastings]], [[William the Conqueror]], the then [[Duke of Normandy]], was crowned King of England in the newly-finished [[Westminster Abbey]] on [[Christmas Day]] 1066.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/1066_06.shtml|title=BBC - History - 1066 - King William|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> William granted the citizens of London special privileges, while building a castle in the south-east corner of the city to keep them under control. This castle was expanded by later kings and is now known as the [[Tower of London]], serving first as a [[Palace|royal residence]] and later as a [[prison]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/architecture_02.shtml|title=A History of British Architecture - White Tower|last=Tinniswood|first=Adrian |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> In 1097, [[William II of England|William II]] began the building of [[Westminster Hall]], close by the abbey of the same name. The hall proved the basis of a new [[Palace of Westminster]], the prime royal residence throughout [[Middle Ages|the Middle Ages]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/about/history/building.cfm|title=UK Parliament - Parliament: The building|date=09/11/2007|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/parliament/guide/palace.htm|title=Palace of Westminster|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Westminster became the seat of the royal court and government (persisting until the present day), while its distinct neighbour, the City of London, was a centre of trade and commerce and flourished under its own unique administration, the [[City of London Corporation|Corporation of London]]. Eventually, the adjacent cities grew together and formed the basis of modern [[central London]], superseding [[Winchester]] as capital of England in the 12th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gouk.about.com/od/englandtravel/ss/SDWay_STay_2.htm|title=Winchester - About|publisher=About, Inc|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> London grew in wealth and population during the Middle Ages. In 1100 its population was around 18,000, by 1300 it had grown to nearly 100,000.<ref name="London Population">[http://www.londononline.co.uk/factfile/historical/ Historical Overview of London Population.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> However disaster struck during the [[Black Death]] in the mid-14th century, when London lost nearly a third of its population.<ref name="London Population">[http://www.londononline.co.uk/factfile/historical/ Historical Overview of London Population.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> Apart from the invasion of London during the [[Peasants' Revolt]] in 1381,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannia.com/history/articles/peasantsrevolt.html|title=Britannia History: Peasants' Revolt|publisher=Jeff Hobbs|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> London remained relatively untouched by the various civil wars during the Middle Ages, such as the [[First Barons' War|first]] and [[Second Barons' War|second]] Barons' Wars and the [[Wars of the Roses]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emersonkent.com/wars_and_battles_in_history/first_and_second_barons_war.htm|title=First and Second Barons' Wars|publisher=Emerson Kent|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[Image:Great Fire London.jpg|thumb|The [[Great Fire of London]] destroyed many parts of the city in 1666]] After the successful defeat of the [[Spanish Armada]] in 1588, political stability in England allowed London to grow further.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.thinkquest.org/20176/armada.htm|title=Defeat of the Spanish Armada|publisher=Think Quest|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elizabethi.org/us/armada/|title=The Spanish Armada|publisher=Heather Thomas|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> In 1603, [[James VI of Scotland]] came to the throne of England, essentially uniting the two countries. His enactment of harsh [[anti-Catholicism|anti-Catholic]] laws made him unpopular, and an [[Assassination|assassination attempt]] was made on [[5 November]] [[1605]]—the well-known [[Gunpowder Plot]].<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> [[Black Death|Plague]] caused extensive problems for London in the early 17th century, culminating in the [[Great Plague of London|Great Plague]] in 1665–1666.<ref name="GreatPlague">{{cite web|url=http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/England-History/GreatPlague.htm|title=The Great Plague 1655 - the Black Death|publisher=E.P.C|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> This was the last major outbreak in England, possibly thanks to the disastrous fire of 1666.<ref name="GreatPlague" /> The [[Great Fire of London]] broke out in the original City and quickly swept through London's wooden buildings, destroying large swathes of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luminarium.org/encyclopedia/greatfire.htm|title=The Great Fire of London, 1666|date=[[April 30]], [[2007]]|publisher=Anniina Jokinen|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> A first hand narrative of both plague and fire was provided by Sir [[Samuel Pepys]].<ref>Pepys S, The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Random House Modern Library Edition, 2001.</ref> Rebuilding took over ten years, largely under direction of a Commission appointed by King [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] and chaired by Sir [[Christopher Wren]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/after_fire_02.shtml |title=London After the Great Fire: Civil War and Revolution|last=Schofield J|date=January 2001|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Special/LondonsBurning/Themes/1405/|title=Museum of London - Rebuilding after the fire|publisher=Museum of London|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jX8ZAAAAIAAJ&q=rebuilding+of+london&dq=rebuilding+of+london&pgis=1|title=The Rebuilding of London After the Great Fire|publisher=Thomas Fiddian|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> === Rise of modern London === [[Image:LondonBombedWWII full.jpg|thumb|left|A London street hit during [[the Blitz]] of [[World War II]]]] [[Image:London , Kodachrome by Chalmers Butterfield edit.jpg|thumb|left| [[Piccadilly Circus]], 1949]] Following London's growth in the 18th century, it became the world's largest city from about 1831 to 1925.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa011201a.htm|title=Largest Cities Through History|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> This growth was aided from 1836 by London's first [[railway]]s, which put countryside towns within easy reach of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ITlondon.htm|title=London's Railways|publisher=Spartacus|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> The rail network expanded very rapidly, and caused these places to grow while London itself expanded into surrounding fields, merging with neighbouring settlements such as [[Kensington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yellins.com/transporthistory/rail/l-and-g.html|title=London and Greenwich Railway|publisher=Toby and John King|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> Rising [[traffic congestion]] on city centre roads led to the creation of the world's first [[metro]] system—the [[London Underground]]—in 1863, driving further expansion and urbanisation.<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/1604.aspx |title=London Underground: History|author=Transport for London |accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's [[local government]] system struggled to cope with the rapid growth, especially in providing the city with adequate [[Infrastructure in London|infrastructure]]. Between 1855 and 1889, the [[Metropolitan Board of Works]] oversaw infrastructure expansion. It was then replaced by the [[County of London]], overseen by the [[London County Council]], London's first elected city-wide administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://missbanana.blogspot.com/2006/12/rise-of-modern-london.html|title=Rise of modern london|date=December 2006|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[The Blitz]] and other bombing by the [[Germany|German]] ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' during [[World War II]] killed over 30,000 Londoners<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/homefront/arp/arp4.html |title=Air Raid Precautions |work="Home Front" Website |accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> and destroyed large tracts of housing and other buildings across London. The rebuilding during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s was characterised by a wide range of [[architectural style]]s and has resulted in a lack of architectural unity that has become part of London's character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.diplo.de/Vertretung/london/en/02/An__Embassy__in__Belgrave__Square/Churches__in__London__Seite.html|title=The German churches in London|publisher=German Embassy London|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> In 1965 London's political boundaries were expanded to take into account the growth of the urban area outside the County of London's borders. The expanded area was called [[Greater London]] and was administered by the [[Greater London Council]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/g/glc.htm|title=Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom|date=1996|publisher=Ralf Hartemink|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> In the decades following World War II, large-scale immigration from [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries and beyond transformed London into one of the most racially and culturally diverse cities in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civitas.org.uk/press/prcs58.php|title=A Nation of Immigrants?|publisher=CIVITAS |accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> Integration of the new immigrants was not always smooth, with major [[race riot]]s in [[Notting Hill race riots|Notting Hill]] and [[Brixton]], but was certainly smoother than in other English regions and largely lacking in widespread support for far right organisations, unlike its European or American contemporaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portowebbo.co.uk/nottinghilltv/revealed8.htm|title=The Notting Hill Riots and British National Identity|last=Helbing|first=Mr Tim |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> An eco revival from the 1980s onwards re-established London's position as a pre-eminent international centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joeg.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/2/4/433|title=London in the European financial services industry: locational advantage and product complementarities|publisher=Oxford Journals|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> However, as the seat of government and the most important city in the UK, it has been subjected to bouts of [[terrorism]]. [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] bombers sought to pressure the [[British government|government]] into negotiations over [[Northern Ireland]], frequently disrupting city activities with [[bomb threat]]s—some of which were carried out—until their 1997 cease-fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/9240/#3|title=Provisional Irish Republican Army (U.K., separatists)|date=November 2005|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> More recently, a [[7 July 2005 London bombings|series of coordinated bomb attacks]] were carried out by [[Islamic]] [[extremism|extremist]] [[suicide bombers]] on the public transport network on [[7 July]] [[2005]]—just 24&nbsp;hours after London was [[2012 Summer Olympics bids|awarded]] the [[2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/london_blasts/what_happened/html/default.stm|title=BBC News - London Attacks|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> == Governance == {{seealso|List of heads of London government}} [[Image:City hall london.jpg|thumb|upright|[[City Hall (London)|City Hall]] at night, headquarters of the [[Greater London Authority]]]] === Local government === [[Image:Arms of the Greater London Council.svg|thumb|left|120px|The coat of arms of the [[Greater London Council]]]] {{main|Local government in London|History of local government in London}} The administration of London is formed of two tiers —a city-wide, strategic tier and a local tier. City-wide administration is coordinated by the [[Greater London Authority]] (GLA), while local administration is carried out by 33 smaller authorities.<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> The GLA consists of two elected parts; the [[Mayor of London]], who has executive powers, and the [[London Assembly]], who scrutinise the Mayor's decisions and can accept or reject his budget proposals each year. The GLA was set up in 2000 to replace the similar [[Greater London Council]] (GLC) which had been abolished in 1986.<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> The headquarters of the GLA and the Mayor of London is at [[City Hall (London)|City Hall]]; the Mayor is [[Boris Johnson]]. The 33 local authorities are the councils of the 32 [[London borough]]s and the [[City of London Corporation]].<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> They are responsible for local services not overseen by the GLA, such as local planning, schools, [[Social work|social services]], local roads and refuse collection. === National government === London is the home of the [[Government of the United Kingdom]] which is located around the [[Palace of Westminster|Houses of Parliament]] in [[Westminster]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/304/Parliament.php|title=Parliament|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Many government departments are located close to Parliament, particularly along [[Whitehall]], including the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister's]] residence at [[10 Downing Street]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp|title=10 Downing Street - Official Website|publisher=10 Downing Street|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> The British Parliament is often referred to as the "Mother of Parliaments" (although this ''[[sobriquet]]'' was first applied to England itself by [[John Bright]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/talking_politics/96021.stm |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |accessdate=2008-06-06 |date=1998-06-03 |title=UK Politics: Talking Politics&mdash;The 'Mother of Parliaments'}}</ref>) because it has been the model for most other parliamentary systems, and its Acts have created many other parliaments. London is represented in the national [[British House of Commons|Parliament]] by 74 [[Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament]] (MPs) who correspond to local parliamentary [[United Kingdom constituencies|constituencies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm|title=History and general information|publisher=Gateways Moving|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> For a list of London constituencies, see [[List of Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London]]. Of these 74 MPs, 44 are from the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], 21 are [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], 8 are [[Liberal Democrats]] and one is from the [[Respect – The Unity Coalition|RESPECT]] party. == Geography == {{main|Geography of London}} [[Image:London SPOT 1005.jpg|thumb|right|London seen from [[SPOT (satellites)|SPOT satellite]]]] === Scope === [[Image:Central London Andh.svg|thumb|left|Map of Central London]] London can be geographically defined in a number of ways, although the situation was once even more ambiguous than it is now and open to periodic legal debate.<ref name=chancery>Beavan, C. & Bickersteth, H., ''Reports of Cases in Chancery, Argued and Determined in the Rolls Court'', (1865)</ref> At London's core is the small, ancient [[City of London]] which is commonly known as 'the City' or 'the Square Mile'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/08/15/charingcross_feature.shtml|title=BBC - London - Features - Where is the Centre of London?|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's metropolitan area grew considerably during the [[Victorian era]] and again during the [[Interwar period]], but expansion halted in the 1940s because of [[World War II]] and [[Green Belt (UK)|Green Belt]] legislation, and the area has been largely static since.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dilys|first=M Hill|title=Urban Policy and Politics in Britain|publisher=St. Martin's Press|date=2000|pages=268|isbn=0312227450}}</ref> The London [[regions of England|region of England]], also commonly known as [[Greater London]], is the area administered by the [[Greater London Authority]].<ref name=region/> The urban sprawl of the conurbation—or [[Greater London Urban Area]]—covers a roughly similar area, with a slightly larger population. Beyond this is the vast [[London commuter belt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/plansd/london_regional_200104.pdf|title=London in its Regional Setting (PDF)|publisher=London Assembly|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Forty percent of Greater London is covered by the [[London postal district]], within which 'LONDON' forms part of the postal address.<ref>{{cite book|last=Stationery Office|title=The Inner London Letter Post|publisher=H.M.S.O|date=1980|pages=128|isbn=0102515808}}</ref> The [[020|London telephone area code]] covers a larger area, similar in size to Greater London, although some outer districts are omitted and some places just outside are included.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukwebstart.com/greaterlondon-codes.html|title=Greater London Area and Post Codes|publisher=UK Web Start|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The area within the orbital [[M25 motorway]] is sometimes used to define the "London area"<ref>{{cite book|last=Mail|first=Royal|title=Address Management Guide|publisher=Royal Mail|date=2004}}</ref> and the Greater London boundary has been [[List of Greater London boundary changes|aligned to it]] in places.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1993/Uksi_19930441_en_1.htm|title=The Essex, Greater London and Hertfordshire (County and London Borough Boundaries) Order|date=1993|publisher=OPSI|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Greater London is split for some purposes into [[Inner London]] and [[Outer London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1963/cukpga_19630033_en_1|title=London Government Act 1963|publisher=Office of Public Sector Information|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> Informally, the city is split into [[North London|North]], [[South London|South]], [[East London, England|East]], [[West London|West]] and often also [[Central London]]. The [[Metropolitan Police District]], [[History of local government in London|city-wide local government area]] and [[History of transport in London (1933-2003)|London transport area]] have varied over time, but broadly coincide with the Greater London boundary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1999/ukpga_19990029_en_1|title=Greater London Authority Act 1999|publisher=OPSI|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] may have marked the centre of ''[[Londinium]]'' with the [[London Stone]], still visible on [[Cannon Street]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Trafalgar Square History|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/history/index.jsp|publisher=Greater London Authority|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The coordinates of the nominal centre of London (traditionally considered to be the original [[Eleanor Cross]] at [[Charing Cross]], near the junction of [[Trafalgar Square]] and [[Whitehall]]) are approximately {{coor dms|51|30|29|N|00|07|29|W|type:city(7,000,000)_region:GB}}. Trafalgar Square has also become a point for celebrations and protests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/|title=Trafalgar Square - Greater London Authority|publisher=London Government|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> === Status === Within London, both the City of London and the [[City of Westminster]] have [[City status in the United Kingdom|City status]] and both the City of London and the remainder of Greater London are the [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial counties]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/ukpga_19970023_en_1|title=Lieutenancies Act 1997|publisher=OPSI|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The current area of [[Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England#Greater London|Greater London]] was [[historic counties of England|historically]] part of the counties of [[Middlesex]], [[Kent]], [[Surrey]], [[Essex]] and [[Hertfordshire]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Barlow|first=I. M. |title=Metropolitan Government|publisher=Routledge|date=1991|pages=346|isbn=Routledge}}</ref> Unlike most capital cities, London's status as the capital of the UK has never been granted or confirmed officially—by [[statute]] or in written form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theworldinphotos.info/7-0-0-info-london.html|title=London in Photos|publisher=The World In Photos|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Its position as the capital has formed through [[constitutional convention (political custom)|constitutional convention]], making its position as ''[[de facto]]'' capital a part of the [[Constitution of the United Kingdom|UK's unwritten constitution]]. The capital of England was moved to London from [[Winchester]] as the [[Palace of Westminster]] developed in the 12th and 13th centuries to become the permanent location of the [[Noble court|royal court]], and thus the political capital of the nation.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Schofield|first=John|date=June 1999|title=British Archaeology Issue 45, June 1999|publisher=British Archaeology|issue=45|issn=1357-4442|url=http://www.britarch.ac.uk/BA/ba45/ba45regs.html|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> According to the Collins English Dictionary definition of 'the seat of government'<ref>{{cite book |title=Collins English Dictionary|publisher=Collins Eduction plc|year=1994 }}</ref>, London is not the capital of England, as England does not have its own government. However according to the Oxford English Reference dictionary definition <ref>{{cite book|title=Oxford English Reference Dictionary|publisher=Oxford English}}</ref> of 'the most important town...' and many other authorities<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmpubacc/501/501.pdf|title=HC 501 0304.PDF|publisher=Parliament Publications|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref><ref>'England'{{cite book |title=Collins English Dictionary |publisher=Collins Eduction plc|year=1994}}</ref>, London is properly considered the capital of England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.great-britain.co.uk/london.htm|title=London, England - UK capital city|publisher=great-britain.co.uk|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> === Topography === Greater London covers an area of 609 square miles (1,579 km²), making it the 37th largest [[List of cities by population|urban area in the world]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities-area-125.html|title=World's Largest Urban Areas|publisher=City Mayor|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Its primary geographical feature is the [[River Thames|Thames]], a [[navigable river]] which crosses the city from the south-west to the east.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/london/thames.htm|title=River Thames London|publisher=Woodlands Junior School|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The [[Thames Valley]] is a [[floodplain]] surrounded by gently rolling hills such as [[Parliament Hill, London|Parliament Hill]], [[Addington Hills]], and [[Primrose Hill]]. These hills presented no significant obstacle to the growth of London from its origins as a port on the north side of the river, and therefore London is roughly circular. Many of the [[List of highest points in London|highest points in London]] are located in the suburbs or on the boundaries with adjacent counties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/LondonBoroughs.php|title=London Borough Tops|publisher=Hill Bagging|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The Thames was once a much broader, shallower river with extensive [[marshland]]s; at high tide, its shores reached five times their present width.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=M9qvtYYhRtAC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=thames+%22iron+age%22+london+wide+geography+shallow+marsh&ots=wVDtRsVF-V&sig=GFqR9QKs45u-ggfYI0dcCA3GUzc#PPA10,M1|title=''London: A History, by Francis Sheppard page 10.|publisher=Google Books|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Since the [[Victorian era]] It has been extensively [[Thames Embankment|embanked]], and many of its London [[tributary|tributaries]] now flow [[Subterranean rivers of London|underground]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/London_-_Geography_and_climate/id/5558757|title=London - Geography and climate: Encyclopedia II|publisher=The Global Oneness Commitment|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The Thames is a tidal river, and London is vulnerable to flooding.<ref>[http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/1190084/natural_forces/flooding/?version=1&lang=_e "Flooding"] - UK [[Environment Agency]]. Retrieved on [[2006-06-19]].</ref> The threat has increased over time due to a slow but continuous rise in [[Tide|high water]] level by the slow 'tilting' of Britain (up in the north and down in the south) caused by post-[[glacier|glacial]] [[isostatic rebound|rebound]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/1190084/natural_forces/sealevels/?version=1&lang=_e|title="Sea Levels" - UK Environment Agency|publisher=[[Environment Agency]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> In 1974, a decade of work began on the construction of the [[Thames Barrier]] across the Thames at [[Woolwich]] to deal with this threat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/~kamy/Thames%20Barrier.htm|title=Thames Barrier|publisher=Melissa Soh and Pei-Chea Tran|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> While the barrier is expected to function as designed until roughly 2030, concepts for its future enlargement or redesign are already being discussed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5092218.stm|title=BBC News: On the rise: The Thames in 2100|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> === Climate === {{climate chart |London |2.4|7.9|52 |2.2|8.2|34 |3.8|10.9|42 |5.2|13.3|45 |8.0|17.2|47 |11.1|20.2|53 |13.6|22.8|38 |13.3|22.6|53 |10.9|19.3|57 |8.0|15.2|62 |4.8|10.9|52 |3.3|8.8|54 |source=Met Office<ref name="metoffice">{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/greenwich.html|title=Greenwich 1971-2000 averages|publisher=[[Met Office|UK Met Office]]|accessdate=2007-02-21}}</ref> |float=right }}{{clearright}} London has a [[temperate]] [[Oceanic climate|marine climate]], like much of the [[British Isles]], with regular but generally light [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] throughout the year. The warmest month is July, with an average [[temperature range]] at [[Greenwich]] of 13.6&nbsp;[[Celsius|°C]] to 22.8&nbsp;°C (56.5 to 73.0&nbsp;[[Fahrenheit|°F]]). Record high temperatures of up to {{convert|38.1|°C|°F|0}} were recorded in different parts of London on [[10 August]] [[2003]]. Central London, because of the size of the city, has a [[microclimate]] that is markedly warmer than the surrounding English countryside and offers such a degree of temperature protection, that the plant life capable of flourishing in the centre (Zones 1 & 2) is markedly more [[Mediterranean]] than most of the rest of England, with the exception of south west [[Cornwall]] and [[Devon]]. The coolest month is January, averaging 2.4&nbsp;°C to 7.9&nbsp;°C (35.6 to 46.2&nbsp;°F). Average annual [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] is 583.6&nbsp;[[metre|mm]] (22.98&nbsp;in), with February on average the driest month.<ref name="metoffice" /> Snow is relatively uncommon, particularly because [[Urban heat island|heat from the urban area]] can make London up to 5&nbsp;°C (9&nbsp;°F) hotter than the surrounding areas in winter. Light snowfall, however, is sometimes seen a few times a year, although it is not uncommon to have no snow during the colder months. London is in [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] [[Hardiness zone]] 8, and [[Hardiness zone|AHS Heat Zone 2]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/europe/hze1.html|title=Hardiness Zone Map for the U.K. & Ireland |publisher=Shane Kelley/Kelley Graphics|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> === Districts === {{seealso|List of places in London|Central London|Inner London|Outer London}} [[Image:London Landsat.jpg|thumb|left|A satellite image of [[West London]]. [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] is visible in the centre, with [[Richmond Park]] to the south-west (bottom left corner).]] London's vast urban area is often described using a set of district names (e.g. [[Bloomsbury]], [[Knightsbridge]], [[Mayfair]], [[Whitechapel]], [[Fitzrovia]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.krysstal.com/londname.html|title=London Place Names|publisher=KryssTal|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> These are either informal designations, or reflect the names of superseded villages, parishes and city wards. Such names have remained in use through tradition, each referring to a neighbourhood with its own distinctive character, but often with no modern official boundaries. Since 1965 Greater London has been divided into 32 [[London borough]]s in addition to the ancient City of London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londononline.co.uk/boroughs/|title=The 32 London Boroughs|publisher=London Online|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> <!-- Do NOT change to just London. "The City of London" is a specific region. -->The City of London is one of the world's three largest financial centres (alongside [[New York City|New York]] and [[Tokyo]]) with a dominant role in several international financial markets, including cross-border bank lending, international bond issuance and trading, foreign-exchange trading,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/london-life/business-and-jobs/financial-centre.jsp|title=London as a financial centre|publisher=Mayor of London|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> over-the-counter derivatives, fund management and foreign equities trading.<ref name="London Financial District">{{cite web|url=http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/cm/business/cases/london.htm|title=London: Centre of International Finance.|publisher=University of Florida|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> It also has the world's largest insurance market, the leading exchange for dealing in non-precious metals, the largest spot gold and gold lending markets, the largest ship broking market, and more foreign banks and investment houses than any other centre.<ref name="London Financial District">{{cite web|url=http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/cm/business/cases/london.htm|title=London: Center of International Finance.|publisher=University of Florida|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The City has its own governance and boundaries, giving it a status as the only completely autonomous local authority in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/about_us/ |title=What is the City of London? |publisher=City of London Corporation |accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's new financial and commercial hub is the [[London Docklands|Docklands]] area to the east of the City, dominated by the [[Canary Wharf]] complex. Other businesses locate in the [[City of Westminster]], the home of the [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK's national government]] and the well-known [[Westminster Abbey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.areasoflondon.com/|title=London Areas|publisher=Areas Of London|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The [[West End of London|West End]] is London's main entertainment and shopping district, with locations such as [[Oxford Street]], [[Leicester Square]], [[Covent Garden]] and [[Piccadilly Circus]] acting as tourist magnets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1608619.stm |title=West End still drawing crowds |work=BBC |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The [[West London]] area is known for fashionable and expensive residential areas such as [[Notting Hill]], [[Knightsbridge]] and [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]]—where properties can sell for tens of millions of pounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2006/apr/17/tax.g2|title=Guardian Unlimited Money.|work=The Guardian Money|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The average price for all properties in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is £894,000 with similar average outlay in most of [[Central London]].<ref name="London's Properties">{{cite web|url=http://rbkc.gov.uk/Planning/localdevelopmentframework/ldf_hs_appendix_a2.pdf|title=Price of Properties.|publisher=Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The eastern region of London contains the [[East End of London|East End]] and East London. The East End is the area closest to the original [[Port of London]], known for its high immigrant population, as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London.<ref name="East End">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060829024354/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8487518/site/newsweek/ |title=Tomorrow’s East End |publisher=News Week |accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref>The surrounding [[East London, England|East London]] area saw much of London's early industrial development; now, [[brownfield land|brownfield]] sites throughout the area are being redeveloped as part of the [[Thames Gateway]] including the [[London Riverside]] and [[Lower Lea Valley]], which is being developed into the [[Olympic Park, London|Olympic Park]] for the [[London 2012 Olympic bid|2012 Olympics]].<ref name="East End">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060829024354/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8487518/site/newsweek/ |title=Tomorrow’s East End |publisher=News Week |accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref> {{clear}} {| class="toccolours" style="margin:0 auto; backgrond:none;" | style="padding-right:1em;" | <ol> <li>[[City of London]]</li> <li>[[City of Westminster]]</li> <li>[[Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|Kensington and Chelsea]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham|Hammersmith and Fulham]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Wandsworth|Wandsworth]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Lambeth|Lambeth]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Southwark|Southwark]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Islington|Islington]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Camden|Camden]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Brent|Brent]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Ealing|Ealing]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Hounslow|Hounslow]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Richmond upon Thames|Richmond]]</li> <li>[[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Merton|Merton]]</li> </ol> | style="background:#FFF; padding:0 1em;" class="toccolours"| {{London boroughs imagemap}} | <ol start="18"> <li>[[London Borough of Sutton|Sutton]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Croydon|Croydon]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Bromley|Bromley]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Lewisham|Lewisham]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Greenwich|Greenwich]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Bexley|Bexley]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Havering|Havering]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Barking and Dagenham|Barking and Dagenham]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Redbridge|Redbridge]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Newham|Newham]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Waltham Forest|Waltham Forest]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Haringey|Haringey]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Enfield|Enfield]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Barnet|Barnet]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Harrow|Harrow]]</li> <li>[[London Borough of Hillingdon|Hillingdon]]</li> </ol> |} == Demography == {{main|Demography of London|Religion in London}} With increasing industrialisation, London's population grew rapidly throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it was the most populated city in the world until overtaken by [[New York City|New York]] in 1925. Its population peaked at 8,615,245 in 1939. There were an estimated 7,512,400 official residents in [[Greater London]] as of mid-2006.<ref name=Greater_London_population /> However, London's continuous [[urban area]] extends beyond the borders of Greater London and was home to 8,278,251 people in 2001,<ref name=urban_area_pop /> while its wider [[metropolitan area]] has a population of between 12 and 14&nbsp;million depending on the definition used.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.demographia.com/dm-lonarea.htm |title=South-east England Population by Area from 1891 |publisher=Demographia|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> According to [[Eurostat]], London is the [[Largest cities and metropolitan areas in the European Union (Eurostat)|most populous city and metropolitan area of the European Union]] and the second [[Largest European cities and metropolitan areas|most populous]] in [[Europe]] (or third if [[Istanbul]] is considered European). {| class="infobox" align=right |- ! Country of Birth || Population (2001) |- |{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]] ||5,230,155 |- |{{flagicon|India}} [[India]] ||172,162 |- |{{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} [[Republic of Ireland]] ||157,285 |- |{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]] ||120,900 |- |{{flagicon|Bangladesh}} [[Bangladesh]] ||84,565 |- |{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Jamaica]] ||80,319 |- | {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Nigeria]] ||68,907 |- | {{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Kenya]] ||66,311 |- | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Brazil]] ||60,000 |- | {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} [[Sri Lanka]] ||49,932 |- |{{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Ghana]] ||46,513 |- | {{flagicon|Cyprus}} [[Cyprus]] ||45,888 |- |{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[South Africa]] ||45,506 |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States]] ||44,622 |- | {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australia]] ||41,488 |- | {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Germany]] ||39,818 |- | {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkey]] ||39,128 |- | {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]] ||38,694 |- | {{flagicon|France}} [[France]] ||38,130 |- | {{flagicon|Somalia}} [[Somalia]] ||33,831 |- |{{flagicon|Uganda}} [[Uganda]] ||32,082 |- | {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[New Zealand]] ||27,494 |- | {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portugal]] ||25,194 |} The region covers an area of 609 square miles (1,579&nbsp;km²). The population density is 12,331 people per square mile (4,761/km²), more than ten times that of any other [[NUTS:UK|British region]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/regional_snapshot/RS_Lon.pdf|title=Population density of London: by London borough, 2006|publisher=UK Statistics Authority|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> In terms of population, London is the 25th [[List of cities by population|largest city]] and the 17th [[List of metropolitan areas by population|largest metropolitan]] region in the world. It is also ranked 4th in the world in number of billionaires (United States Dollars) residing in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/2007/03/07/billionaires-worlds-richest_07billionaires_cz_lk_af_0308billie_land.html|title=Forbes Magazine list of billionaires.|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world, alongside [[Tokyo]] and [[Moscow]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/11/pf/costofliving|title=CNN Money World's Most Expensive Cities 2004.|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref> === Ethnic groups === [[Image:Notting Hill Carnival 2002 large.jpg|thumb|left|"[[Notting Hill Carnival]]" in London]] [[Image:Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, London.jpg|thumb|left| The [[King's Weigh House]] today serves as the [[Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile]].]]According to 2005 estimates,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do;jsessionid=ac1f930bce64d2fda76fff146e6b5f5e6166a231da7.e38PbNqOa3qRe34&nbsp;lb3iNbN8Ra3f0n6jAmljGr5XDqQLvpAe?a=3&b=276743&c=London&d=13&e=13&g=325264&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1203354009145&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1812&bhcp=1|title=Lead View Table|publisher=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> 69.6% of these seven and a half million people are classed as white, including [[White British]] (58.2%), [[Irish Briton|White Irish]] (2.6%) and "[[White Other (United Kingdom Census)|Other White]]" (8.8%), the majority of whom are other Europeans. 12.9% of people are of [[British Asian|South Asian]] descent, including [[India]]n (mainly [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]], [[Hindi]], [[Tamil people|Tamil]] & [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]]), [[Pakistan]]i, [[Bangladesh]]i ([[Bengali]]) and "Other South Asian" (mostly [[Sri Lankan]] and other [[South Asia|Southern Asian]] ethnicities). 10.8% of people are [[Black British|Black]] (around 5.5% are Black [[Africa]]n, 4.4% as [[British African-Caribbean community|Black Caribbean]], 0.8% as "Other Black"). 3.4% are of [[British Mixed|mixed race]]; 1.4% are [[British Chinese|Chinese]]; and 1.9% of people belong to [[Other ethnic group (United Kingdom Census)|another ethnic group]] (mostly [[Latin American Briton|Latin American]] - an estimated 60,000 [[Brazilian British|Brazilians]] reside in London,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/27/brazilian_london_feature.shtml|title=BBC - London - Faith - Brazilian London|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[British Filipino|Filipino]], [[British Japanese|Japanese]], [[British Korean|Korean]], [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]] and other [[British Oriental|East Asian]]s). 21.8% of inhabitants were born outside the [[European Union]]. The [[Irish people|Irish]] born, from both the [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]], number approximately 250,000 and are the largest group born outside of Britain. [[Image:London Temple.jpg|thumb|left|The [[BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London|Swaminarayan]] [[Hinduism|Hindu Temple]] in [[Neasden]]]] In January 2005, a survey of London's ethnic and religious diversity claimed that there were more than 300 languages spoken and more than 50 non-indigenous communities which have a population of more than 10,000 in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/jan/21/britishidentity1|title=London: Every race, colour, nation and religion on earth|publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> Figures from the [[Office for National Statistics]] show that, as of 2006, London's foreign-born population is 2,288,000 (31%), up from 1,630,000 in 1997.<ref>{{cite web | title=One Third of Londoners born outside Britain | publisher=Evening Standard / Office for National Statistics | url =http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23374397-details/%27One-third+of+Londoners+born+outside+Britain%27/article.do|publisher= This is London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The 2001 census showed that 27.1% of [[Greater London]]'s population were born outside the UK, and a slightly higher proportion were classed as non-white.<ref>"[http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/H-A.asp Census 2001: London]", [[Office for National Statistics]]. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> The table to the right shows the 'Country of Birth' of London residents in 2001, the date of the last [[UK Census]]. (Top 21).<ref>{{cite web | title=Greater London Authority - Summary of 'Country-of-Birth' in London | publisher=Greater London Authority | url =http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/publications/factsandfigures/dmag-update-2006-09.pdf| accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Note that a portion of the German-born population are likely to be British nationals born to parents serving in the British armed forces in Germany.<ref>Sarah Kyambi, ''[http://www.ippr.org.uk/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=308 Beyond Black and White: Mapping new immigrant communities]'', London: [[Institute for Public Policy Research]], [[7 September]] [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[2007-01-20]].</ref> As of 2008, 40% of London's total population is from an [[ethnic minority]] group. Across London, [[Black British|Black]] and [[British Asian|Asian]] children outnumber [[White British]] children by about three to two.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1564365/One-fifth-of-children-from-ethnic-minorities.html |title=One fifth of children from ethnic minorities |author=Graeme Paton |date=2007-10-01|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> === Religion === {{see also|List of churches and cathedrals of London}} [[Image:LambethPalacebyLambethBridge.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lambeth Palace]] is the official London residence of the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]].]] The largest religious groupings in London are [[Christianity|Christian]] (57.8%), [[Irreligion|No Religion]] (15.5%), [[Islam|Muslim]] (7.9%), [[Hinduism|Hindu]] (4.1%), [[Judaism|Jewish]] (3.1%), and [[Sikhism|Sikh]] (1.5%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/jan/21/britishidentity12|title=What the maps don't show|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited 2008|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> London has traditionally been dominated by [[Christianity]], and has a [[List of churches in London|large number of churches]], particularly in the City. The well-known [[St Paul's Cathedral]] in the City and [[Southwark Cathedral]] south of the river are [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] administrative centres,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerid=97320F44yHMK9hndcXZBD5sVH4m52Yc0|title=About Saint Paul's Cathedral|publisher=Dean and Chapter St Paul's|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> while the principle bishop of the [[Church of England]] and worldwide [[Anglican Communion]], the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] has his main residence at [[Lambeth Palace]] in the [[London Borough of Lambeth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lambethpalacelibrary.org/|title=Lambeth Palace Library|publisher=Lambeth Palace Library|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Important national and royal ceremonies are shared between St Paul's and [[Westminster Abbey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westminster-abbey.org/|title=Westminster Abbey|publisher=Dean and Chapter of Westminster|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> The Abbey is not to be confused with nearby [[Westminster Cathedral]], which is the largest [[Roman Catholic]] cathedral in [[England and Wales]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/home.html|title=West Minster Cathedral|publisher=Westminster Cathedral|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Religious practice is lower in London than any other part of the UK or Western Europe and is around seven times lower than [[United States|American]] averages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article1362709.ece | title=Thousands of churches face closure in ten years’ | publisher=Times Online | date=2007-02-10 | accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> Despite the prevalence of Anglican churches, observance is very low within the Anglican denomination, although church attendance, particularly at [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] Anglican churches in London, has started to increase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/statistics/|title=Church of England Statistics|publisher=Church of England|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London is also home to sizeable [[Muslim]], [[Hindu]], [[Sikh]], and [[Jewish]] communities. Many Muslims live in [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]] and [[London Borough of Newham|Newham]]; the most important Muslim edifice is [[London Central Mosque]] on the edge of [[Regent's Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iccuk.org/index.php?article=1&PHPSESSID=rbt2vceqs1bpn9567k0kiv9hu5|title=London Central Mosque Trust Ltd|publisher=London Central Mosque Trust Ltd. & The Islamic Cultural Centre|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> London's large Hindu community is found in the north-western boroughs of [[London Borough of Harrow|Harrow]] and [[London Borough of Brent|Brent]], the latter of which is home to one of Europe's largest [[Hindu temple]]s, [[Neasden Temple]].<ref>"[http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/19/hindu_london_feature.shtml Hindu London]", BBC, [[6 June]] [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> Sikh communities are located in East and West London, which is also home to the largest Sikh temple in the world, outside [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2898761.stm|title=£17&nbsp;m Sikh temple opens|date=2003-03-30|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The majority of [[British Jews]] live in London, with significant Jewish communities in [[Stamford Hill]], [[St. John's Wood]], [[Golders Green]], and [[Edgware]] in [[North London]].<ref>"[http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2004/08/11/communities_jewish_feature.shtml Jewish Communities in London]", [[British Broadcasting Corporation]], [[1 March]] [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> == Economy == {{further|[[Economy of the United Kingdom]], [[Economy of London]], and [[Media in London]]}} [[Image:174 7432.jpg|thumb|180px|upright|right|The [[City of London]] is the world's largest banking and insurance centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2CAE66FB-2DD5-41A5-B916-8FFC37276059/0/BC_RS_lpuk_0511_FR.pdf|title=London's place in the UK economy, 2005–06|publisher=City of London|accessdate=2008-03-11}}</ref> It is home to the [[London Stock Exchange]] and [[Lloyds of London]].]] [[Image:London 501593 fh000027.jpg|right|thumb|[[Piccadilly Circus]] at night]] [[Image:Cabot Square, Canary Wharf - June 2008.jpg|thumb|200px|The three tallest skyscrapers in [[Canary Wharf]] as viewed from Cabot Square. It is home to such companies as the [[HSBC]] and [[Clifford Chance]].]] London is a major centre for [[international business]] and commerce and is one of three "command centres" for the [[world economy]] (along with [[New York City]] and [[Tokyo]]).<ref>{{cite book|author=[[Saskia Sassen|Sassen, Saskia]]|title=The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo|year=2001|publisher=Princeton University Press|edition=2nd edition}}</ref> London has the 6th largest city economy in the world after [[Tokyo]], [[New York]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Chicago]] and [[Paris]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.asp?MediaDetailsID=863| title="Table 1.2 – Top 30 urban agglomeration GDP rankings in 2005 and illustrative projections to 2020 (using UN definitions and population estimates)"|first="UK Economic Outlook, March 2007", page 5|last=[[PriceWaterhouseCoopers]]|format=PDF | accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> As the world's largest international banking centre with a 50% share of all European activity and Europe's second largest city economy, year-by-year London generates approximately 20% of the UK's [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2CAE66FB-2DD5-41A5-B916-8FFC37276059/0/BC_RS_lpuk_0511_FR.pdf|title=London's place in the UK economy, 2005–06|publisher=City of London|accessdate=2008-03-11}}</ref> (or $446&nbsp;billion in 2005); while the economy of the [[London metropolitan area]] (the largest in Europe)<ref>See: [[List of metropolitan areas in the European Union by GRP]]</ref> generates approximately 30% of UK's GDP (or an estimated $669&nbsp;billion in 2005.)<ref>"[http://www.iaurif.org/en/doc/studies/cahiers/cahier_135/pdf/073-85.pdf The Economic Positioning of Metropolitan Areas in North Western Europe]", ''The Institute for Urban Planning and Development of the Paris Ile-de-France Region'', December 2002.</ref> London shifted to a mostly service-based economy earlier than other European cities, particularly following [[World War II]]. London's success is as a [[Tertiary sector of industry|service industry]] and business centre can be attributed to factors such as English being the native and dominant language of business, its former position as the capital of the [[British Empire]], close relationship with the U.S. and various countries in Asia.<ref name="London economy becomes more service based">"[http://213.86.34.248/NR/rdonlyres/31A65F7D-B455-4FEE-8BEE-7CDB83FD634A/0/BC_RS_LKPUK0607_FullVersion.pdf London's Place in the UK Economy, 2006–07]", A report by Oxford Economic Forecasting for the City of London, November 2006</ref> Other factors include [[English law]] being the most important and most used [[Contract|contract law]] in international business and the [[Multiculturalism|multi-cultural]] infrastructure.<ref name="London economy becomes more service based">"[http://213.86.34.248/NR/rdonlyres/31A65F7D-B455-4FEE-8BEE-7CDB83FD634A/0/BC_RS_LKPUK0607_FullVersion.pdf London's Place in the UK Economy, 2006–07]", A report by Oxford Economic Forecasting for the City of London, November 2006</ref> Government policies such as low taxes, particularly for foreigners (non-UK domiciled residents do not get taxed on their foreign earnings), a business friendly environment, good transport infrastructure, particularly its aviation industry; and a deregulated economy with little intervention by the government have all contributed to London's economy becoming more service based.<ref name="London economy becomes more service based">"[http://213.86.34.248/NR/rdonlyres/31A65F7D-B455-4FEE-8BEE-7CDB83FD634A/0/BC_RS_LKPUK0607_FullVersion.pdf London's Place in the UK Economy, 2006–07]", A report by Oxford Economic Forecasting for the City of London, November 2006</ref> Over 85% (3.2&nbsp;million) of the employed population of greater London works in service industries. Another half a million employees resident in Greater London work in manufacturing and construction, almost equally divided between both.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/docs/lon_plan_sustainability_Appendix_A.pdf|title=Greater London Authority.|publisher=Greater London Authority|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> There has been a significant fall in the number of people working in manufacturing industries in London over the last three decades, largely as a result of competition from lower cost regions but also as a consequence of technology and process improvements.<ref name="London Manufacturing">{{cite web|url=http://www.eef.org.uk/south/whatwedo/businessimprovement/features/regional/Where_next_for_London_manufacturing.htm|title=Where next for London manufacturing?|publisher=EEF|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Even so, there are still more than 15,000 manufacturing businesses in London such as clothing, printing, fabricated metal, furniture and wood/products and food and drink.<ref name="London Manufacturing">{{cite web|url=http://www.eef.org.uk/south/whatwedo/businessimprovement/features/regional/Where_next_for_London_manufacturing.htm|title=Where next for London manufacturing?|publisher=EEF|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> There is also strong growth in the recycling/environmental sector.<ref name="London Manufacturing">{{cite web|url=http://www.eef.org.uk/south/whatwedo/businessimprovement/features/regional/Where_next_for_London_manufacturing.htm|title=Where next for London manufacturing?|publisher=EEF|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> A strong manufacturing base still thrives in London because of its geographic location and access to huge markets, its large science and knowledge base, its physical assets, its diversity and its role as a centre of design and creative industries.<ref name="London Manufacturing">{{cite web|url=http://www.eef.org.uk/south/whatwedo/businessimprovement/features/regional/Where_next_for_London_manufacturing.htm|title=Where next for London manufacturing?|publisher=EEF|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's largest industry remains finance, and its [[financial export]]s make it a large contributor to the UK's [[balance of payments]]. Over 300,000 people are employed in financial services in London. London has over 480 overseas banks, more than any other city in the world. More funds are invested in the City of London than in the next top ten European cities combined, and more international telephone calls are made to and from London than any other point on the planet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efinancialcareers.de|title=Big 4 Audit London All Levels!|publisher=Jobs.Finanztreff|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The City is the largest financial and business centre in Europe and, has begun to once more overtake [[New York City]], partly due to strict accounting following the [[Sarbanes-Oxley Act]] and a tightening of market regulations in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite news| last=Clark| first=Andrew| title=Mayor gives New York a wake-up call |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jan/23/13 |publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]| date=[[23 January]] [[2007]]| accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Due to New York's tightening of market regulations, London stock exchanges had approximately 20% more initial public offerings in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/27/business/worldbusiness/27london.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5088&en=a71491dec620088b&ex=1319601600&partner=rssnyt|title=New York Isn’t the World’s Undisputed Financial Capital - New York Times|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> London is home to banks, brokers, insurers and legal and accounting firms. A second, smaller financial district is developing at [[Canary Wharf]] to the east of the City which includes the global headquarters of [[HSBC]], [[Reuters]], [[Barclays plc|Barclays]] and the [[Magic Circle (law)|Magic Circle]], which includes [[Clifford Chance]], the largest law firm in the world. London handled 31% of [[World currency|global currency]] transactions [[As of 2005|in 2005]]—an average daily turnover of US$753&nbsp;billion—with more US dollars traded in London than [[New York]], and more [[euro]]s traded than in every other city in Europe combined.<ref>"{{PDFlink|[http://www.bis.org/publ/rpfx05t.pdf Triennial Central Bank Survey]|259&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 265373 bytes -->}}", [[Bank for International Settlements]], March 2005. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/media_centre/keyfacts.htm Key facts]", Corporation of London. Retrieved on [[2006-06-19]].</ref> More than half of the UK's top 100 listed companies (the [[FTSE 100]]) and over 100 of Europe's 500 largest companies are headquartered in central London. Over 70% of the FTSE 100 are located within London's metropolitan area, and 75% of [[Fortune 500]] companies have offices in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonstockexchange.com/en-gb/|title=London Stock Exchange|date=2008|publisher=London Stock Exchange plc.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Along with [[professional services]], media companies are concentrated in London ''(see [[Media in London]])'' and the media distribution industry is London's second most competitive sector (after central banking, the most competitive sector).<ref>{{PDFlink|[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2CAE66FB-2DD5-41A5-B916-8FFC37276059/0/BC_RS_lpuk_0511_FR.pdf "London's Place in the UK Economy, 2005–6"]|960&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 983819 bytes -->}}, p19, ''Oxford Economic Forecasting'' on behalf of the Corporation of London. Published November 2005. Retrieved on [[2006-06-19]].</ref> The [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] is a key employer, while other broadcasters also have headquarters around the city. Many [[List of newspapers in the United Kingdom|national newspapers]] are edited in London, having traditionally been associated with [[Fleet Street]] in the City, they are now primarily based around [[Canary Wharf]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canarywharf.com/mainfrm1.asp|title=Canary Wharf Group |publisher=Canary Wharf Group plc|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[Soho]] is the centre of London's [[post-production]] industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/soho-london-feature-1710.html|title=Soho London|publisher=View London Ltd|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[Tourism in London|Tourism]] is one of London's prime industries and employed the equivalent of 350,000 full-time workers in London in 2003,<ref>"[http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2005/02/15/27958/london-is-the-hr-centre-of-opportunity-in-the-uk.html London is the HR centre of opportunity in the UK]", PersonnelToday.com, [[15 February]] [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> while annual expenditure by tourists is around £15&nbsp;billion.<ref>"{{cite web |url=http://www.visitlondon.com/uploads/8551importanceoflondon_2004jun.pdf |title= The Importance of Tourism in London |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070628053808/http://www.visitlondon.com/uploads/8551importanceoflondon_2004jun.pdf |archivedate=2007-06-28}}", Visit London. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> London is a popular destination for tourists, attracting 27&nbsp;million overnight-stay visitors every year, second only to [[Paris]], the most popular destination for tourists.<ref>"{{PDFlink|{{cite web |url=http://corporate.visitlondon.com/ems/downloads/8112london101.pdf |title= London 101: One Hundred and One Amazing Facts About London |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070628053808/http://corporate.visitlondon.com/ems/downloads/8112london101.pdf |archivedate=2007-06-28}}|1.15&nbsp;[[Mebibyte|MiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 1207545 bytes -->}}", Visit London. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> From being the largest port in the world, the [[Port of London]] is now only the third-largest in the United Kingdom, handling 50&nbsp;million [[tonne]]s of cargo each year.<ref>"[http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/pdfs/ls/ARA_-_Trade_Statistics.pdf Trade Statistics]", Port of London Authority, Annual Report and Accounts 2005. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> Most of this actually passes through [[Tilbury]], outside the boundary of [[Greater London]]. ==Cityscape== === Architecture === {{seealso|Architecture in London|List of tallest structures in London}} {{wide image|London 360 from St Paul's Cathedral - Sept 2007.jpg|1400px|<center>A panoramic view of modern London, as seen from the Golden Gallery of [[St Paul's Cathedral|Saint Paul’s Cathedral]]</center>}} [[Image:London Eye Twilight April 2006.jpg|thumb|right|The [[London Eye]]]] [[Image:London Thames Sunset panorama - Feb 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Sunset over the [[River Thames]] towards [[Tower Bridge]].]] [[Image:Cathédrale St-Paul - entrée principale.jpg|thumb|[[St. Paul's Cathedral]].]] [[Image:Canary.wharf.and.dome.london.arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[The O2|The O<sub>2</sub>]], one of the largest dome structures in the world]] London is too diverse to be characterised by any particular [[architectural]] style, having accumulated its buildings over a long period of time and drawn on a wide range of influences. It is, however, mainly [[brick]] built, most commonly the yellow [[London stock brick]] or a warm orange-red variety, often decorated with carvings and white plaster [[molding (decorative)|mouldings]].<ref name="London Architecture">{{cite web|url=http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/London:+architecture|title=London: architecture.|publisher: Farlex Encyclopedia|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Many grand houses and public buildings (such as the [[National Gallery, London|National Gallery]]) are constructed from [[Portland stone]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/798/National_Gallery.php|title=National Gallery: Trafalgar Square|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Some areas of the city, particularly those just west of the centre, are characterised by white [[stucco]] or whitewashed buildings. Few structures pre-date the [[Great Fire of London|Great Fire]] of 1666, except for a few trace [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] remains, the [[Tower of London]] and a few scattered [[Tudor style architecture|Tudor]] survivors in the City. A majority of buildings in London date from the [[Edwardian]] or [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] periods.<ref name="London Architecture">{{cite web|url=http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/London:+architecture|title=London: architecture.|publisher=Farlex Encyclopedia|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The disused (but soon to be rejuvenated) 1939 [[Battersea Power Station]] by the river in the south-west is a local landmark,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/1698/Battersea_Power_Station.php|title=Battersea Power Station|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> while some railway termini are excellent examples of Victorian architecture, most notably [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras]] and [[Paddington railway station|Paddington]] (at least internally).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Paddington_Station.html|title=Paddington Station.|publisher=Great Buildings|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The density of London varies, with high employment density in the [[Central London|central area]], high residential densities in [[inner London]] and lower densities in the [[Outer London|suburbs]]. In the dense areas, most of the concentration is achieved with medium-rise and [[high-rise]] buildings. London's skyscrapers such as the notable [[30 St Mary Axe|"Gherkin"]], [[Tower 42]] and [[One Canada Square]] are usually found in the two financial districts, the [[City of London]] and [[Canary Wharf]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/731/30_St._Mary_Axe.php|title=30 Saint Mary Axe|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/837/Tower_42.php|title=Tower 42 - London Architecture|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/282/1_Canada_Square.php|title=1 Canada Square|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> Other notable modern buildings include [[City Hall (London)|City Hall]] in [[Southwark]] with its distinctive oval shape,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2129199.stm|title=Inside London's new 'glass egg'|date=Tuesday, [[16 July]], [[2002]]|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> the [[British Library]] in [[Somers Town, London|Somers Town]]/[[Kings Cross, London|Kings Cross]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/276/British_Library__The.php|title=The British Library|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> and the Great Court of the [[British Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/275/British_Museum__The.php|title=The British Museum|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> What was formerly the [[Millennium Dome]], located by the Thames to the east of Canary Wharf, is now used as an entertainment venue known as The O<sub>2</sub>.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/285/Millennium_Dome.php|title=Millennium Dome|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> The development of [[Tall buildings in London|tall buildings]] has been encouraged in the [[London Plan]], which will lead to the erection of [[Tall_buildings_in_London#Tallest_under_construction.2C_approved_and_proposed|many new skyscrapers]] over the next decade, particularly in the City of London and Canary Wharf.<ref>{{cite web| title=London - Full Summary of Projects|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=46|publisher= Will Fox, SkyscraperCity.com|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The 72-storey, {{convert|1017|ft|m}} "[[Shard London Bridge]]" by [[London Bridge station]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shardlondonbridge.com/vertical_city/the_building.php|title=Shard London Bridge - Official Website|publisher=Shard London Bridge|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> the {{convert|945|ft|m}} [[Bishopsgate Tower]] and around 20 other skyscrapers over {{convert|500|ft|m}} are either proposed or approved and could transform the city's skyline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=2839|title=The Bishopsgate Tower|publisher=Skyscrapernews.com|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> A great many monuments pay homage to people and events in the city. [[The Monument]] in the City of London provides views of the surrounding area while commemorating the [[Great Fire of London]], which originated nearby.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/286/Monument__The.php|title=The Monument: Cannon Street|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[Marble Arch]] and [[Wellington Arch]], at the north and south ends of [[Park Lane (road)|Park Lane]] respectively, have royal connections, as do the [[Albert Memorial]] and [[Royal Albert Hall]] in [[Kensington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/290/Royal_Albert_Hall.php|title=Royal Albert Hall: Kensington Gore|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> [[Nelson's Column]] is a nationally-recognised monument in [[Trafalgar Square]], one of the focal points of the centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/800/Nelson's_Column.php|title=Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> === Parks and gardens === {{main|Parks and open spaces in London|Royal Parks of London}} The largest parks in the central area of London are the [[Royal Parks of London|Royal Parks]] of [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] and its neighbour [[Kensington Gardens]] at the western edge of [[central London]] and [[Regent's Park]] on the northern edge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/|title=Kensington Gardens|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> This park contains [[London Zoo]], the world's oldest scientific zoo, and is located near the tourist attraction of [[Madame Tussauds]] Wax Museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madametussauds.com/London/About.aspx|title=Madame Tussauds - Official Website|publisher=Madame Tussauds|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/madame-tussauds.htm|title=Madame Tussauds - Tourist Information|publisher=Tourist Information UK|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> Closer to central London are the smaller Royal Parks of [[Green Park]] and [[St. James's Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/green_park/|title=Green Park|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> Hyde Park in particular is popular for [[London#Sports|sports]] and sometimes hosts open-air concerts. A number of large parks lie outside the city centre, including the remaining Royal Parks of [[Greenwich Park]] to the south-east,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/greenwich_park/|title=Greenwich Park|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> [[Bushy Park]] and [[Richmond Park]] to the south-west<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/bushy_park/|title=Bushy Park|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond_park/|title=Richmond Park|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> and [[Victoria Park, East London]] to the east.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londontown.com/LondonInformation/Attraction/Victoria_Park/1c98/|title=LondonTown - Victoria Park|publisher=LondonTown.com|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> [[Primrose Hill]] to the north of Regent's Park is a popular spot to view the city skyline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londontown.com/LondonInformation/Attraction/Victoria_Park/1c98/|title=LondonTown - Primrose Hill|publisher=LondonTown.com|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.primrosehill.com/|title=Primrose Hill - Official Website|publisher=Technology News Ltd|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> Some more informal, semi-natural open spaces also exist, including the {{convert|791|acre|km²|1|sing=on}} [[Hampstead Heath]] of [[North London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/living_environment/open_spaces/|title=Hampstead Heath - City Of London|date=[[24 April]], [[2008]]|publisher=David Bentley|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> This incorporates [[Kenwood House]], the former [[stately home]] and a popular location in the summer months where classical musical concerts are held by the lake, attracting thousands of people every weekend to enjoy the music, scenery and fireworks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.00100200800k00800f|title=Kenwood House |publisher=English Heritage|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> {{wide image|Greenwich pano.jpg|1400px|<center>A panoramic view of East London, as seen from the [[Greenwich Observatory]]</center>}} == Society and culture == {{main|Culture of London|Tourism in London|Hotels in London}} === Leisure and entertainment === [[Image:New Bond Street 2 db.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Bond Street]], one of [[Mayfair]]'s main shopping streets]] Within the City of Westminster, the entertainment district of the [[West End of London|West End]] has its focus around [[Leicester Square]], where London and world film [[premieres]] are held, and [[Piccadilly Circus]], with its giant electronic advertisements.<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> London's [[Theatreland|theatre]] district is here, as are many cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants, including the city's [[Chinatown, London|Chinatown]] district, and just to the east is [[Covent Garden]], an area housing [[specialty shop|speciality shops]].The United Kingdom's [[Royal Ballet]] and the [[English National Ballet]] are based in London and perform at the [[Royal Opera House]], the Coliseum, [[Sadler's Wells Theatre]] and the [[Royal Albert Hall]].<ref name="London's Concerts">{{cite web|url=http://www.yourlondon.gov.uk/visiting/topic.jsp?topicid=6482&search_title=Theatres+and+concert+halls|title=Theatres and concert halls.|publisher=Your London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[Shoreditch]] and [[Hoxton]] in the East End contain a plethora of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and galleries.<ref name="Local Government">{{cite web|url=http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm|title=History and general information.|accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> [[Islington]]'s one mile (2&nbsp;km) long Upper Street, extending northwards from [[Angel, Islington|The Angel]], has more bars and restaurants than any other street in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|title =2001: Public houses|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/local_history/city/street_03.shtml?publichouses|accessdate=2008-06-04 }}</ref> Europe's busiest shopping area is [[Oxford Street]], a shopping street nearly one mile (2&nbsp;km) long—which makes it the longest shopping street in the world&mdash;and home to many shops and department stores including [[Selfridges]].<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> The adjoining [[Bond Street]] in [[Mayfair]] is an extremely [[upmarket]] location, home to fashion, jewellery, and accessories design houses.<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> [[Knightsbridge]]&mdash;home to the [[Harrods]] [[department store]]&mdash; lies just to the southwest. Together with these, the fashionable shopping areas of [[Sloane Street]], and [[Kings Road]] represent London's prestigious role in the world of fashion. London is home to designers [[Vivienne Westwood]], [[John Galliano|Galliano]], [[Stella McCartney]], [[Manolo Blahnik]], and [[Jimmy Choo]] among others; its renowned art and fashion schools make it an international centre of fashion alongside Paris, Milan and New York.<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> London also has a high number of street markets, including [[Camden Market]] for fashions and alternative products, [[Portobello Road]] for antiques, and vintage and one-off clothes, and [[Borough Market]] for organic and specialist foods.<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> [[Image:Troopingthecolour.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Trooping the Colour]] held in 2006 to mark the Queen's 80th birthday. It is held every year as a military parade performed by regiments of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] and the [[British Army]].]] London offers a great variety of cuisine as a result of its ethnically diverse population. Gastronomic centres include the Bangladeshi restaurants of [[Brick Lane]] and the Chinese food restaurants of [[Chinatown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinatownlondon.org/|title=Chinatown - Official Website|publisher=Chinatown London|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[Soho]]'s variety of restaurants includes Italian- and Greek-influenced establishments among others, as well as all manner of novelties and oddities. More upmarket restaurants are scattered around central London, with concentrations in [[Mayfair]], [[Knightsbridge]] and [[Notting Hill]]. There are a variety of regular [[List of annual events in London|annual events]]. The [[Caribbean]]-descended community in [[Notting Hill]] in [[West London]] organizes the colourful [[Notting Hill Carnival]], Europe's biggest street carnival, every summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londontown.com/LondonEvents/NottingHillCarnival/019fd|title=London Town - Notting Hill Carnival|publisher=LondonTown.com|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> The beginning of the year is celebrated with the relatively new [[New Year's Day Parade]], while traditional parades include November's [[Lord Mayor's Show]], a centuries-old event celebrating the annual appointment of a new [[Lord Mayor of the City of London]] with a procession along the streets of the City, and June's [[Trooping the Colour]], a very formal military pageant to celebrate the [[Queen's Official Birthday]].<ref name="Local Government">[http://www.gatewaysmoving.com/about_moving_to_london_england_uk.htm History and general information.] Retrieved on [[2007-08-17]].</ref> === Literature and film === {{see also|London in fiction|London in film|List of films set in London|List of television shows set in London}} [[Image:Charles Dickens - Project Gutenberg eText 13103.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Charles Dickens]] (1812–1870), whose works formed a pervasive image of [[Victorian era|Victorian]] London]] London has been the setting for many works of literature. Two writers closely associated with the city are the diarist [[Samuel Pepys]], noted for his eyewitness account of the [[Great Fire of London|Great Fire]], and [[Charles Dickens]], whose representation of a foggy, snowy, grimy London of street sweepers and pickpockets has been a major influence on people's vision of early [[Victorian era|Victorian]] London.<ref name="London in Literature">{{cite web|url=http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/speccoll/guides/london/londoninliterature.shtml|title=London in Literature.|publisher=Bryn Mawr College|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[James Boswell]]'s biographical ''[[Life of Johnson]]'' mostly takes place in London, and is the source of [[Samuel Johnson|Johnson's]] well-known aphorism: "''When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.''" The earlier (1722) ''[[A Journal of the Plague Year]]'' by [[Daniel Defoe]] is a fictionalisation of the events of the 1665 [[Great Plague of London|Great Plague]].<ref name="London in Literature">{{cite web|url=http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/speccoll/guides/london/londoninliterature.shtml|title=London in Literature.|publisher=Bryn Mawr College|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[William Shakespeare]] spent a large part of his life living and working in London; his contemporary [[Ben Jonson]] was also based in London, and some of his work - most notably his play [[The Alchemist (play)|''The Alchemist'']] - was set in the city.<ref name="London in Literature">{{cite web|url=http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/speccoll/guides/london/londoninliterature.shtml|title=London in Literature.|publisher=Bryn Mawr College|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Later important depictions of London from the 19th and early 20th centuries are the afore-mentioned Dickens novels, and [[Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s illustrious [[Sherlock Holmes]] stories.<ref name="London in Literature">{{cite web|url=http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/speccoll/guides/london/londoninliterature.shtml|title=London in Literature.|publisher=Bryn Mawr College|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[Trollope]]'s [[Palliser novels]] are largely set in London, vividly depicting Westminster and its surrounds. The 1933 novel ''[[Down and Out in Paris and London]]'' by [[George Orwell]] describes life in poverty in both cities.<ref name="London in Literature">{{cite web|url=http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/speccoll/guides/london/londoninliterature.shtml|title=London in Literature.|publisher=Bryn Mawr College|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> A modern writer pervasively influenced by the city is [[Peter Ackroyd]], in works such as ''London: The Biography'', ''The Lambs of London'' and ''Hawksmoor''. Academic [[Bloomsbury]] and hilly [[Hampstead]] have traditionally been the liberal, literary heartlands of the city. London has played a significant role in the film industry, and has major studios at [[Pinewood Studios|Pinewood]], [[Shepperton Studios|Shepperton]], [[Elstree Studios|Elstree]] and [[Leavesden Film Studios|Leavesden]], as well as an important [[special effect]]s and post-production community centred in [[Soho]] in [[central London]]. [[Working Title Films]] has its headquarters in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/|title=Working Title Films|publisher=Universal Studios|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Many films have also used London as a location and have done much to shape international perceptions of the city. See main article [[London in film]]. The city also hosts a number of [[performing arts]] schools, including the [[Central School of Speech and Drama]] (alumni: [[Judi Dench]] and [[Laurence Olivier]]), the [[London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]] (alumni: [[Jim Broadbent]] and [[Donald Sutherland]]) and the prestigious [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]] (alumni: [[Joan Collins]] and [[Roger Moore]]). The [[London Film Festival]] is held each year in October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/lff//|title=The Times BFI|publisher=The Times BFI|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> === Music === [[Image:Alberthallrooftop.jpg|thumb|The [[Royal Albert Hall]] hosts a wide range of concerts and musical events]] London is one of the major classical and popular music capitals of the world and is home to major music corporations, such as [[EMI]] and [[Decca Records]], as well as countless bands, musicians and industry professionals. London is home to many orchestras and concert halls such as the [[Barbican Arts Centre]] (principal base of the [[London Symphony Orchestra]]), [[Cadogan Hall]] ([[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]]), the [[Royal Albert Hall]] ([[BBC Promenade Concerts]]), the [[Royal Festival Hall]] ([[Philharmonia|Philharmonia Orchestra]], [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]], [[Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment]], [[London Sinfonietta]]) and [[Wigmore Hall]].<ref name="London's Concerts">{{cite web|url=http://www.yourlondon.gov.uk/visiting/topic.jsp?topicid=6482&search_title=Theatres+and+concert+halls|title=Theatres and concert halls.|publisher=Your London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's two main opera houses are the [[Royal Opera House]] and the [[Coliseum Theatre]].<ref name="London's Concerts">{{cite web|url=http://www.yourlondon.gov.uk/visiting/topic.jsp?topicid=6482&search_title=Theatres+and+concert+halls|title=Theatres and concert halls.|publisher=Your London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> As a cultural centre for the United Kingdom, London has had a major role in many popular music movements. It has numerous renowned venues for rock and pop concerts, including large arenas such as [[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earls Court]] and [[Wembley Arena]], as well as more intimate venues, such as [[Brixton Academy]] and [[Hammersmith Apollo]].<ref name="London's Concerts">{{cite web|url=http://www.yourlondon.gov.uk/visiting/topic.jsp?topicid=6482&search_title=Theatres+and+concert+halls|title=Theatres and concert halls.|publisher=Your London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The O2 Arena is a recent addition to the number of well known music venues in the capital, and was voted the best. The area around the northern part of [[Charing Cross Road]] in Westminster is well-known for its shops that sell modern musical instruments and audio equipment. London was home of one of the legs for both the [[Live Aid]] and [[Live 8]] concerts. [[Image:O2 arena.jpg|thumb|right|Inside [[The O2|The O2 Arena]]]] London and its surrounding [[Home Counties]] have spawned iconic and popular artists. London is home to the first and original [[Hard Rock Cafe]] and the illustrious [[Abbey Road Studios]] where [[The Beatles]] created many of their hits. Musicians such as [[Bob Marley]], [[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Freddie Mercury]] have lived in London.<ref> [http://www.londonlogue.com/places-to-go/guide-to-englands-music-history.html Guide to England’s music history] 'Chris'; Bootsn AllTravel Network; [[February 6]] [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-30]].</ref> Notable musicians and groups associated with London include [[Pink Floyd]], [[The Who]], [[Iron Maiden]], [[Elton John]], [[Elvis Costello]], [[Cliff Richard]], [[John Lennon]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Yoko Ono]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Fleetwood Mac]], [[Led Zeppelin]] and [[The Rolling Stones]]. London was instrumental in the development of [[punk music]], with figures such as the [[Sex Pistols]], [[The Clash]], and [[Vivienne Westwood]] all based in the city. London and the surrounding areas are also well known for large summer music festivals that take place annually and feature dozens of performances ranging from local acts and DJs to nationally recognized headline performers. Some of the most popular of these festivals include the[[ 02 Wireless Festival]] and [[Latitude Festival]] (held in July), The [[Big Chill]] and [[Reading Festival]]s (in August) and [[Bestival]] (held in September). <ref name="London's Event Listings">{{cite web|url=http://www.spoonfed.co.uk|title=London Event Listings.}}</ref>. Although London festivals typically attract large numbers of locals, visitors travel from throughout the UK and Europe to attend the events. As Britain's largest urban area, London has played a key role in the development of most British-born strains of "[[urban music|urban]]" and electronic music, such as [[drum and bass]], [[UK garage]], [[Grime (music)|grime]] and [[dubstep]], and is home to many [[British hip hop|UK hip hop]] artists. The largest entertainment venture of all time, [[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]], a musical by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], premiered here at [[Her Majesty's Theatre]], and emerged as the highest grossing entertainment event with US $3.3&nbsp;billion, and attendance of 80&nbsp;million worldwide. === Sport === {{main|Sport in London}} [[Image:Wembley Stadium closeup.jpg|thumb|right|[[Wembley Stadium]] is home to [[English football]] and is the most expensive stadium in the world.<ref name="Daily Mail - stadium ready">{{cite news | date=[[2007-03-09]] | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=441182 | title=Wembley kick-off: Stadium is ready and England play first game in fortnight | work=[[Daily Mail]] | accessdate=2007-03-19}}</ref>]] London has hosted the [[Summer Olympic Games|Summer Olympics]] twice, in [[1908 Summer Olympics|1908]] and [[1948 Summer Olympics|1948]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0114404.html|title=Info Please - 1908 Summer Olympics|publisher=Pearson Education, Inc|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0114549.html|title=Info Please - 1948 Summer Olympics|publisher=Pearson Education, Inc|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> In July 2005 London was chosen to host the Games in [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012]], which will make it the first city in the world to host the Summer Olympics three times.<ref>"[http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/media_centre/press_release_uk.asp?id=1410 IOC elects London as the Host City of the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012]", [[International Olympic Committee]], [[6 July]] [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> London was also the host of the [[Commonwealth Games|British Empire Games]] in [[1934 British Empire Games|1934]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/cwn-beg.html|title=British Empire Games Website|publisher=All Starts Flag|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> London's most popular sport (for both participants and spectators) is [[football (soccer)|football]].<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-13529&nbsp;football (from London)], [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]. Retrieved on [[2006-06-14]].</ref> London has thirteen [[The Football League|League]] football clubs, including five in the [[Premier League]] ([[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] ).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/ContactUs/Postings/2004/03/premier_league_contacts.htm|title=TheFA.com - Premier League|date=[[17 January]], [[2004]]|publisher=The FA.com|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> London also has four [[rugby union]] teams in the [[Guinness Premiership]] ([[London Irish]], [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]], [[London Wasps|Wasps]] and [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]]), although only the Harlequins play in London (all the other three now play outside Greater London).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/10818_437.php|title=Guinness Premiership: Clubs|date=Premier Rugby|publisher=Guinness Premiership|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> London also has many other [[rugby union]] clubs in lower leagues, including [[Richmond F.C.]], [[Blackheath R.C.]], [[Rosslyn Park F.C.]] and [[Barnes R.F.C.]]. [[Image:TwickersPremFinal08.jpg|thumb|left|[[Twickenham Stadium]], 'the home of English rugby union']] There are two professional [[rugby league]] clubs in London - [[Harlequins Rugby League]] who play in the [[Super League (Europe)|Super League]] at the Stoop and the National League 2 side the [[London Skolars]] (based in [[Haringey]]). In addition London has a strong presence in in the [[Rugby League Conference]] with sides including the [[Kingston Warriors|Elmbridge]], [[West London Sharks]] in Isleworth and [[South London Storm]] in [[Croydon]]. Since 1924, the original [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] was the home of the [[England national football team|English national football team]], and served as the venue for the [[FA Cup]] [[FA Cup Final|final]] as well as [[rugby league]]'s [[Rugby League Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]] final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wembleystadium.com/GloriousPast/greatmoments/1steverwembleyFACupFinal.htm|title=Wembley Stadium History - Official Website|publisher=Wembley National Stadium Limited.|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> The new [[Wembley Stadium]] serves exactly the same purposes and has a capacity of 90,000.<ref name="Wembley Stadium Facts and Figures">{{cite web | url=http://www.wembleystadium.com/pressbox/presspack/factsandFigures.htm | title=Wembley Stadium - Presspack - Facts and Figures | publisher=Wembley National Stadium Limited | accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[Twickenham Stadium]] in west London is the national [[rugby union]] stadium, and has a capacity of 84,000 now that the new south stand has been completed.<ref name="musiccap">{{cite web | publisher=The Twickenham Rugby Stadium| title=RFU apply for two additional concerts at Twickenham Stadium in 2007|url=http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/index.cfm?StoryID=14822| accessdate= 2008-06-06}}</ref> [[Cricket]] in London centres on its two [[Test cricket]] grounds at [[Lord's Cricket Ground|Lord's]] (home of [[Middlesex County Cricket Club|Middlesex C.C.C]]) in [[St John's Wood]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lords.org/lords-ground/about-lords/|title=About Lord's Cricket Grounds - Official Website|date=2008|publisher=MCC |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> and [[The Oval]] (home of [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey C.C.C]]) in [[Kennington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surreycricket.com/the-brit-oval|title=The Brit Oval - Official Website|date=2008|publisher=Surrey CCC|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> One of London's best-known annual sports competitions is the [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon Tennis Championships]], held at the [[All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club|All England Club]] in the south-western suburb of [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/index.html|title=Wimbledon - Official Website|publisher=AELTC|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> Other key events are the annual mass-participation [[London Marathon]] which sees some 35,000 runners attempt a 26.2&nbsp;mile (~42&nbsp;km) course around the city,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/site/|title=Flora London Marathon 2008|publisher=London Marathon ltd|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> and the [[Oxford University|Oxford]] [[oxbridge rivalry|''vs.'']] [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] [[The Boat Race|Boat Race]] on the [[River Thames]] between [[Putney]] and [[Mortlake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theboatrace.org/|title=The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race - Official Website|publisher=The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> == Transport == {{main|Transport in London|Walking in London|Cycling in London}} Transport is one of the four areas of policy administered by the Mayor of London,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/|title=Transport for London|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> however the mayor's financial control is limited and he does not control the heavy rail network, although in November 2007 he assumed responsibility for the [[North London Railway]] as well as several other lines, to form [[London Overground]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/networkandservices/5011.aspx|title=London Overground | Transport for London|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>. The [[public transport]] network, administered by [[Transport for London]] (TfL), is one of the most extensive in the world, but faces congestion and reliability issues, which a large investment programme is attempting to address, including £7&nbsp;billion (€10&nbsp;billion) of improvements planned for the [[2012 Summer Olympics|Olympics]]<ref name="Olympic Infrastructure">{{cite web|url=http://www.alarm-uk.org/pdf/Janet%20Goodland.pdf|title=London 2012 Olympic Transport Infrastructure.|publisher=Alarm UK|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>. London has been commended as the city with the best public transport<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/5294790.stm |publisher=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=2008-06-07 |title=London voted best for transport |date=2006-08-29}}</ref>. [[Cycling in London|Cycling]] is an increasingly popular way to get around London. The [[London Cycling Campaign]] lobbies for better provision<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcc.org.uk/|title=London Cycling Campaign|date=[[20 November]], [[2006]]|publisher=Rosanna Downes|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>. === Railways === [[Image:westminster.tube.station.jubilee.arp.jpg|thumb|right|The [[London Underground]] is the oldest, longest, and most expansive [[metro]] system in the world, dating from 1863.<ref name="Metro"/><ref name="Metro1">"[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/nov/21/transport.china Beijing plans to overtake London with world's longest subway]", Guardian Unlimited, Retrieved on [[2007-12-14]].</ref>]] The centrepiece of the public transport network is the [[London Underground]]&mdash;commonly referred to as The Tube&mdash;which has eleven interconnecting lines. It is the oldest, longest, and most expansive [[metro]] system in the world, dating from 1863.<ref name="Metro"/><ref name="Metro1"/> The system was home to the world's first underground electric line, the [[City & South London Railway]], which began service in 1890.<ref name="UrbanRail">Schwandl, Robert (2001) [http://de.geocities.com/u_london/london.htm London Underground] UrbanRail.net. Retrieved on [[2006-09-24]].</ref> Over three million journeys a day are made on the Underground network, nearly 1&nbsp;billion journeys each year.<ref>"[http://www.thetravelinsider.info/britain/londonundergroundtravelinfo.htm How to Best Use the London Underground]", The Travel Insider, [[4 July]] [[2004]] (last updated: [[8 May]] [[2006]]). Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> The Underground serves the central area and most suburbs to the north of the Thames, while those to the south are served by an extensive [[Regional rail|suburban rail]] surface network. The [[Docklands Light Railway]] is a second metro system using smaller and lighter trains, which opened in 1987, serving [[East London, England|East London]] and Greenwich on both sides of the [[River Thames|Thames]]. Commuter and intercity railways generally do not cross the city, instead running into [[London railway station|fourteen terminal stations]] scattered around its historic centre; the exception is the [[Thameslink]] route operated by [[First Capital Connect]], with terminus stations at [[Bedford]], [[Brighton]] and [[Moorgate station|Moorgate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/Main.php?sEvent=HomePage|title=First Capital Connect|publisher=First Capital Connect ltd|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Since the early 1990s, increasing pressures on the commuter rail and Underground networks have led to increasing demands&mdash;particularly from businesses and the [[City of London Corporation]]&mdash;for [[Crossrail]]: a £10&nbsp;billion east–west heavy rail connection under central London, which was given the green light in early October 2007.<ref name="Olympic Infrastructure">{{cite web|url=http://www.alarm-uk.org/pdf/Janet%20Goodland.pdf|title=London 2012 Olympic Transport Infrastructure.|publisher=Alarm-UK|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> High-speed [[Eurostar]] trains link [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras International]] with [[Lille]] and [[Paris]] in [[France]], and [[Brussels]] in [[Belgium]]. Journey times to Paris and Brussels of 2h 15 and 1h 51 respectively make London closer to continental Europe than the rest of Britain by virtue of the newly completed [[High Speed 1]] rail link to the [[Channel Tunnel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp;ERSPRDSession=LJqZB7nyKlW9lVLvZzK534LvMjL519fPDS4R0QGn51CprylVmjH8!685848002|title=Eurostar|publisher=Eurostar|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> From 2009 this line will also allow for high speed domestic travel from Kent into London. The redevelopment of St. Pancras was key to London's Olympic bid, as the station also serves two international airports through Thameslink, and will also provide direct rail links to the Olympic site at [[Stratford, London|Stratford]] using [[British Rail Class 395]] trains running under the ''[[Olympic Javelin]]'' name; these will be based on Japanese [[Shinkansen]] high-speed trains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stpancras.com/about-stpancras/|title=About St Pancras International Train Station|publisher=saint Pancras International Train Station|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> === Buses === [[Image:Wiki enviro 400 metroline.png|thumb|right|The modern [[Alexander Dennis Enviro 400|Enviro 400]] [[double-decker]] bus operating services on route 24]] London's [[Buses in London|bus network]] is one of the biggest in the world, running 24&nbsp;hours, with 8,000 buses, 700 bus routes, and over 6&nbsp;million passenger journeys made every weekday. In 2003, the network's ridership was estimated at over 1.5&nbsp;billion passenger trips per annum which is more than the Underground.<ref>{{cite web |author=[[Transport for London]] |title=London Buses |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/1548.aspx |publisher=[[Transport for London]] |accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Around £850&nbsp;m is taken in revenue each year and London has the largest wheelchair accessible network in the world and, from the 3rd quarter of 2007, became more accessible to hearing and visually impaired passengers as audio-visual announcements were introduced. The buses are internationally recognised, and are a trademark of London transport along with [[Hackney carriage|black cabs]] and the Tube.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonblackcabs.co.uk/|title=London Black Cabs|publisher=London Black Cabs|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2625.aspx|title=Tube - Transport for London|publisher=[[Transport for London]]|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> === Air === [[Image:Heathrow Airport radar tower P1180333.jpg|thumb|left|[[Heathrow Airport]] is the [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|world's busiest airport]] in terms of numbers of international passengers]] London is a major international air transport hub. No fewer than eight airports use the words ''London Airport'' in their name, but most traffic passes through one of [[Comparison of London Airports|five major airports]]. [[London Heathrow Airport]] is the [[World's busiest airport|busiest airport]] in the world for international traffic, and is the major hub of the nation's flag carrier, [[British Airways]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/|title=BAA Heathrow: Official Website|publisher=BAA|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> In March 2008 its fifth terminal was opened,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heathrow-airport-uk.info/heathrow-airport-terminal-5.htm|title=Heathrow Airport Terminal 5|publisher=TMC Ltd|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> and plans are already being considered for a sixth terminal.<ref>[http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/site/heathrow/menuitem.2ea84de4d9bc8a0ca4b12871120103a0/%3bjsessionid=DNAfOXj7g3r3fk1j9NlWANpydf0hhlQvi8LcmzuRluuyU0u2FTlo!-949195938 About Heathrow], BAA Heathrow. Retrieved on [[2006-09-17]].</ref> Similar traffic, with the addition of some [[Low-cost carrier|low-cost]] [[short-haul]] flights, is also handled at [[London Gatwick Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatwickairport.com/|title=BAA Gatwick: Gatwick Airport|publisher=BAA|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[London Stansted Airport]] and [[London Luton Airport]] cater mostly for low-cost short-haul flights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stanstedairport.com/|title=BAA Standsted : Stansted Airport|date=2008|publisher=BAA|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/|title=London Luton Airport|publisher=London Luton Airport|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[London City Airport]], the smallest and most central airport, is focused on business travellers, with a mixture of full service short-haul scheduled flights and considerable [[business jet]] traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londoncityairport.com/Default.aspx|title=London City Airport - Corporate Information|publisher=London City Airport Ltd.|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> === Roads === [[Image:015455 d19601dd.jpg|thumb|right|The [[M25 motorway|M25]] London orbital]] Although the majority of journeys involving [[central London]] are made by public transport, travel in outer London is car-dominated. The [[London Inner Ring Road|inner ring road]] (around the city centre), the [[A406 road|North]] and [[A205 road|South Circular]] roads (in the suburbs), and the outer orbital [[motorway]] (the [[M25 motorway|M25]], outside the built-up area) encircle the city and are intersected by a number of busy radial routes—but very few motorways penetrate into [[inner London]]. A plan for a comprehensive network of motorways throughout the city (the [[London Ringways|Ringways Plan]]) was prepared in the 1960s but was mostly cancelled in the early 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbrd.co.uk/histories/ringways/|title=The Ringways Plan|publisher=Chris Marshall|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> In 2003, a [[London congestion charge|congestion charge]] was introduced to reduce traffic volumes in the city centre. With a few exceptions, motorists are required to pay £8 per day to drive within a defined zone encompassing much of congested central London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncharge/whereandwhen/|title=Charging Zone | Transport for London | Where and when|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/6741.aspx|title=Who pays what | Transport for London|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> Motorists who are residents of the defined zone can buy a vastly reduced season pass which is renewed monthly and is cheaper than a corresponding bus fare.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/6735.aspx|title=Residents | Transport for London|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> London also has two central Park & Ride sites for the convenience of shoppers on Oxford Street and Bond Street, Westminster City Council car parks run a courtesy bus service from its Park Lane and Marble Arch car parks. == Education == {{main|Education in London}} [[Image:RoyalHolloway FrontEntrance.jpg|thumb|right|[[Royal Holloway, University of London|Royal Holloway]], as a part of the [[University of London]], a federation of London higher education institutions.]] [[Image:Senate House UoL.jpg|thumb|right|[[Senate House (University of London)|Senate House]], the headquarters of the federal [[University of London]]]] Home to a range of universities, colleges and schools, London has a student population of about 378,000.<ref>"[http://www.londonhigher.ac.uk/about_ls.htm About the London Sector]", London Higher Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> and is a centre of [[research and development]]. Most primary and secondary schools in London follow the [[Education in England|same system as the rest of England]]. With 125,000 students, the [[University of London]] is the largest contact teaching university in the United Kingdom and in Europe.<ref>"[http://www.london.ac.uk/aboutus About the University]", University of London, [[2006-02-20]]. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> It comprises 20 colleges as well as several smaller institutes, each with a high degree of autonomy. Constituent colleges have their own [[University and college admissions|admissions]] procedures, and are effectively universities in their own right, although most degrees are awarded by the University of London rather than the individual colleges. Its constituents include multi-disciplinary colleges such as [[University College London|UCL]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/rights/jurisdiction/|title=UCL - Jurisdiction over Students|date=[[7 November]], [[2005]]|publisher=University College London|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> [[King's College London|King's]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/humanities/depts/english/events/queerdis.html|title=Queer discipline Spring 2008|date=[[21 January]], [[2008]]|publisher=King's College London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>, [[Royal Holloway, University of London|Royal Holloway]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/undergraduate/holloway/history/academic.shtml|title=Academic leadership - Royal Holloway|date=[[31 October]], [[2007]]|publisher=London External|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> and more specialised institutions such as the [[London School of Economics]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lse.ac.uk/|title=London School of Economics and Political Science|publisher=[[London School of Economics]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> [[School of Oriental and African Studies|SOAS]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soas.ac.uk/|title=The School of Oriental and African Studies|publisher=[[School of Oriental and African Studies]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> the [[Royal Academy of Music]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/reports/subjectlevel/q94_95_textonly.htm|title= Quality Assessment Report by the HEFCE for the Royal Academy of Music|publisher=[[Royal Academy of Music]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> and the [[Institute of Education]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ioewebserver.ioe.ac.uk/ioe/index.html|title=Institute of Education - University of London|publisher=[[Institute of Education]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> [[Imperial College London]] and [[University College London]] have been ranked among the top ten universities in the world by [[The Times Higher Education Supplement]]: in 2007 [[Imperial College London|Imperial]] was ranked the 5th best and [[University College London|UCL]] the 9th best university in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article2827773.ece|title=Why 4/10 is a great score for Britain's universities|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=2008-06-10}}</ref> In addition, the [[London School of Economics|LSE]] is considered the world‘s leading social science institution for teaching and research, plus has the most international student body of any university in the world today.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/sunday_times_university_guide/article2496158.ece |title=The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2007 - Profile for London School of Economics|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's other universities, such as [[Brunel University]], [[City University, London|City University]], [[London Metropolitan University]], Imperial College London, [[Middlesex University]], [[University of East London]], the [[University of Westminster]] and [[London South Bank University]] are not part of the University of London but still leaders in their field and popular choices among students both nationally and internationally. Some were [[polytechnic]]s until these were granted university status in [[Further and Higher Education Act, 1992|1992]], and others which were founded much earlier. Imperial College London left the University of London in 2007. London is also known globally for its business education, with the [[London Business School]] (ranked 1st in Europe - Business Week)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ebslondon.ac.uk/about_ebs.aspx|title=About EBS London|date=2007|publisher=Regent's College|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/europe/special_reports/03/31/2008europeanb-s.htm|title=Business Week|publisher= Business Week|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> and [[Cass Business School]] (Europe's largest finance school) both being top world-rated business schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/|title=Cass Business School|date=2007|publisher=Cass Business School|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> In addition there are three international universities: [[Schiller International University]], [[Richmond University]] and [[Regent's College]]. London is home to many museums, galleries, and other institutions which are major [[tourist attraction]]s as well as playing a research role. The [[Natural History Museum]] (biology and geology), [[Science Museum (London)|Science Museum]] and [[Victoria and Albert Museum]] (fashion and design) are clustered in [[South Kensington]]'s "museum quarter", while the [[British Museum]] houses historic artefacts from around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://travel.webshots.com/album/558147499WXOGaf?start=12|title=South Kensington - Museum Quarter|publisher=Travel Webshots|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> The [[British Library]] at [[St Pancras, London|St Pancras]] is the UK's [[national library]], housing 150&nbsp;million items. The city also houses extensive art collections, primarily in the [[National Gallery, London|National Gallery]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/|title=The National Gallery, London - Official Website|publisher=The Natinoal Gallery|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> [[Tate Britain]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/|title=Tate Britain: British Art from 1500|publisher=[[Tate Britain]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> and [[Tate Modern]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/|title=Tate Modern: International modern and contemporary art|publisher=[[Tate Modern]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> See the [[list of museums in London]]. == Sister cities == {{main|List of twin towns in the United Kingdom#London}} As well as London's twinning, the [[Boroughs of London]] have twinnings with parts of other cities across the world. Shown below is the list of cities that the [[Greater London Authority]] is twinned with. *{{flagicon|USA}} [[New York City]], United States *{{flagicon|GER}} [[Berlin]], Germany *{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Moscow]], Russia *{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Paris]], France The following cities have a [[friendship agreement]] with London: *{{flagicon|BUL}} [[Sofia]], Bulgaria *{{flagicon|IND}} [[Delhi]], India *{{flagicon|IND}} [[Mumbai]], India *{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Beijing]], China *{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Istanbul]], Turkey *{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Tehran]], Iran *{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Tokyo]], Japan *{{flagicon|COL}} [[Bogotá]], Colombia *{{flagicon|MNE}} [[Podgorica]], Montenegro == See also == <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> * [[Greater London]] * [[Large Cities Climate Leadership Group]] * [[List of songs about London]] * [[London Design Festival]] * [[London markets]] * [[London slang]] * [[Megacity]] * [[Squares in London]] * [[Subterranean London]] * [[Tall buildings in London|Tallest landmarks in London]] </div> == References == {{reflist|3}} == Further reading == * {{cite book|last=Ackroyd|first=Peter|title=London: The Biography|publisher=Vintage|location=London|date=2001|pages=880|isbn=0099422581}} * {{cite book|last=Reddaway|first=Thomas Fiddian|title=The Rebuilding of London After the Great Fire|publisher=Jonathan Cape|date=1940|pages=333}} * {{cite book|last=Aubin|first=Robert Arnold|title=London in flames, London in glory: poems on the fire and rebuilding of London|publisher=Rutgers University Press|date=1943|pages=383}} == External links == {{portal}} {{sisterlinks|London}} * {{wikitravel}} * [http://www.london.gov.uk/ Mayor of London, London Assembly and the Greater London Authority] - Official city government site * [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ Transport for London] (TfL) - city transport authority * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/ BBC London] * [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/focuson/london/ Office for National Statistics: Focus on London 2007] - compendium of official statistics about London * [http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ Museum of London Group Portal - Home] *[http://londonfish.blogspot.com/2008/06/sightseeing-in-london.html London Sightseeings] *[http://www.seethesights.co.uk Sightseeing] * [http://www.visitlondon.com/ VisitLondon.com] - Official London site * [http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/ Map of Early Modern London] - Historical Map and Encyclopedia of Shakespeare's London (Scholarly) * [http://london.city.mobi/ london.city.mobi] - London mobile city guide * [http://in2town.co.uk/Central-London-business-directory.html London Business Directory]- find a business in London {{Hanseatic League}} {{London}} {{Template group |title=London in the European Union |list={{Capital cities of the European Union}} {{UK cities}} {{LargestUKCities}} }} {{Olympic Summer Games Host Cities}} {{Commonwealth Games Host Cities}} {{World's most populated urban areas}} {{WWII city bombing}} {{coord|51|30|28|N|0|07|41|W|display=title|type:city(7000000)_region:GB-LND}} [[Category:London]] [[Category:1st century establishments]] [[Category:British capitals]] [[Category:Capitals in Europe]] [[Category:Host cities of the Commonwealth Games]] [[Category:Host cities of the Summer Olympic Games]] [[Category:Port cities and towns in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Articles including recorded pronunciations (UK English)]] {{Link FA|nn}} [[af:Londen]] [[als:London]] [[am:ለንደን]] [[ang:Lunden]] [[ar:لندن]] [[an:Londres]] [[arc:ܠܘܢܕܘܢ]] [[roa-rup:Londra]] [[frp:Londres]] [[ast:Londres]] [[az:London]] [[bn:লন্ডন]] [[zh-min-nan:London]] [[ba:Лондон]] [[be:Горад Лондан]] [[be-x-old:Лёндан]] [[bcl:Londres]] [[bar:London]] [[bs:London]] [[br:Londrez]] [[bg:Лондон]] [[ca:Londres]] [[cv:Лондон]] [[ceb:London]] [[cs:Londýn]] [[co:Londra]] [[cy:Llundain]] [[da:London]] [[de:London]] [[dsb:London]] [[et:London]] [[el:Λονδίνο]] [[es:Londres]] [[eo:Londono]] [[eu:Londres]] [[fa:لندن]] [[fo:London]] [[fr:Londres]] [[fy:Londen]] [[ga:Londain]] [[gan:倫敦]] [[gv:Lunnin]] [[gd:Lunnainn]] [[gl:Londres - 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