City Of London

London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. London has an estimated population of 7.5 million and a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million. London has an extremely cosmopolitan population, drawing from a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions, speaking over 300 different languages. Residents of London are referred to as Londoners.

Geography

Greater London covers an area of 609 square miles (1,579 km²). Its primary geographical feature is the Thames, a navigable river which crosses the city from the southwest to the east. The Thames Valley is a floodplain surrounded by gently rolling hills such as Parliament Hill and Primrose Hill. London has a temperate climate with regular but generally light rainfall throughout the year. London is in effect 33 smaller cities all joined under a regional grouping as "London". Each of these cities or borough, has its own individual identity, government, schools. Each borough is represented at the national government level through a Member of Parliament and has a local council that collects taxes and provides essential services to the Borough's inhabitants.

The local characteristics of each borough are so strong that changes to boundaries are often met with strong opposition. Many of the outer boroughs do not really regard themselves as part of the capital and were previously part of neighbouring rural Counties such as Middlesex, Kent or Surrey and will include that County in their postal address. The City of London, also refered to as the 'Square Mile', is a distinct borough. It has its own police force, its own bylaws, and, since the Magna Carta in 1215 the queen still has to request permission to enter. The adjacent City of Westminster is the main focus of the tourist population and contains many of the most popular attractions. When they travel to London, they are, in fact in Westminster.

Major Towns,

Aldersgate,  Aldgate,  Biggin Hill Airport,  Bishopsgate,  Cheapside,  City,  Cripplegate,  Fleet Street,  Gracechurch,  Heathrow Airport,  Holborn,  Ludgate,  Moorgate,  Newgate,  Threadneedle Street

History

London has been an important settlement for nearly two thousand years and has a long history dating from the Roman period in AD43 when it was called Londinium. During the Saxon era it was known as Lundwic andwas centred around Aldwych which comes from the Saxon word Ealdwic meaning "Old City". Although it grew to be the biggest city in the country, the capital was still at Winchester. Under the Normans the City of Westminster became the seat of the royal court and government (persisting until the present day), whilst its neighbour, the City of London, was a centre of trade and commerce and flourished under its own unique administration. Eventually, the adjacent cities grew together and formed the basis of modern central London, superseding Winchester as capital of England in the 12th century.

Industry

London is a leader in international finance, politics, education, culture, entertainment, fashion and the arts and has considerable influence worldwide. It is widely regarded as one of the world's major global cities. The city is an international transport hub and a major tourist destination.