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Revision as of 17:09, 3 June 2002 view sourceAxelBoldt (talk \| contribs)Administrators44,503 edits removed repetitive "world city status" from second paragraph← Previous edit		Revision as of 03:23, 13 June 2002 view source Zundark (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users, File movers, Pending changes reviewers29,659 editsm Millenium -> MillenniumNext edit →
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	Over the years, London has increased dramatically in size, absorbing meadows, woodlands, villages and towns and, prior to 1940, spread outwards in every direction. The ] administrative area covers 1579 sq. km. with a population of around seven million. For more detail on the historical development of London see the ]. Outward growth was halted through the definition of a ].		Over the years, London has increased dramatically in size, absorbing meadows, woodlands, villages and towns and, prior to 1940, spread outwards in every direction. The ] administrative area covers 1579 sq. km. with a population of around seven million. For more detail on the historical development of London see the ]. Outward growth was halted through the definition of a ].

	Today Greater London comprises the ] and 32 ] including the City of ]. The City of London, also known as the "square mile", is predominantly the financial centre, and geographically a very small area. Although bustling during the working week, the City of London usually much calmer on the weekends.		Today Greater London comprises the ] and 32 ] including the ]. The City of London, also known as the "square mile", is predominantly the financial centre, and geographically a very small area. Although bustling during the working week, the City of London usually much calmer on the weekends.

	The London that most tourists see is the ] with all its theatres, shops and restaurants. In contrast, the ] has played host to successive waves of immigrants for centuries and contains some of the UK's more deprived areas. The Isle of Dogs is however witnessing unprecedented commercial change and many restaurants, music and comedy clubs are injecting a more varied atmosphere. See also ]. The tourist sites in the West End are mainly in South Kensington or the City of Westminster. The East End is centered on the Borough of ]. The airfields of ], Biggin Hill, Kenley and Northolt lie within the London boundary. Other airports at Gatwick, Luton, Manston, Southend and Stansted have taken to incorporating "London" in their name, but they are situated in the ] at some distance. Special train stations built at Gatwick, Luton and Stansted help to offset their physical remoteness from the capital and thus spread scheduled ] services in a safe and manageable way across the region.		The London that most tourists see is the ] with all its theatres, shops and restaurants. In contrast, the ] has played host to successive waves of immigrants for centuries and contains some of the UK's more deprived areas. The Isle of Dogs is however witnessing unprecedented commercial change and many restaurants, music and comedy clubs are injecting a more varied atmosphere. See also ]. The tourist sites in the West End are mainly in South Kensington or the City of Westminster. The East End is centered on the Borough of ]. The airfields of ], Biggin Hill, Kenley and Northolt lie within the London boundary. Other airports at Gatwick, Luton, Manston, Southend and Stansted have taken to incorporating "London" in their name, but they are situated in the ] at some distance. Special train stations built at Gatwick, Luton and Stansted help to offset their physical remoteness from the capital and thus spread scheduled ] services in a safe and manageable way across the region.
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	Infamous London tourist attractions:		Infamous London tourist attractions:
	*]		*]

	] is one of the few public transport systems in the world to be a tourist attraction in its own right; its infrastructure, however, is, and historically has been, financially stretched and under-resourced, leading to frequent difficulties and delays in making journeys.		] is one of the few public transport systems in the world to be a tourist attraction in its own right; its infrastructure, however, is, and historically has been, financially stretched and under-resourced, leading to frequent difficulties and delays in making journeys.

Revision as of 03:23, 13 June 2002

London, capital of the United Kingdom and of England, is one of the great world cities, mentioned in the same breath as Paris, Tokyo and New York.

Originally known as Lud, it was settled by the Roman invaders who called it Londinium and used it as a port on the River Thames. The Thames runs right through the city and bisects it, north from south, although it is crossed by a number of bridges and tunnels, the most famous of which is the neo-Gothic Tower Bridge.

Over the years, London has increased dramatically in size, absorbing meadows, woodlands, villages and towns and, prior to 1940, spread outwards in every direction. The Greater London administrative area covers 1579 sq. km. with a population of around seven million. For more detail on the historical development of London see the history of London. Outward growth was halted through the definition of a Green Belt.

Today Greater London comprises the City of London and 32 London boroughs including the City of Westminster. The City of London, also known as the "square mile", is predominantly the financial centre, and geographically a very small area. Although bustling during the working week, the City of London usually much calmer on the weekends.

The London that most tourists see is the West End with all its theatres, shops and restaurants. In contrast, the East End has played host to successive waves of immigrants for centuries and contains some of the UK's more deprived areas. The Isle of Dogs is however witnessing unprecedented commercial change and many restaurants, music and comedy clubs are injecting a more varied atmosphere. See also gentrification. The tourist sites in the West End are mainly in South Kensington or the City of Westminster. The East End is centered on the Borough of Tower Hamlets. The airfields of Heathrow, Biggin Hill, Kenley and Northolt lie within the London boundary. Other airports at Gatwick, Luton, Manston, Southend and Stansted have taken to incorporating "London" in their name, but they are situated in the Home Counties at some distance. Special train stations built at Gatwick, Luton and Stansted help to offset their physical remoteness from the capital and thus spread scheduled airline services in a safe and manageable way across the region.

The elected Mayor of London is Ken Livingstone MP, who was expelled from the British Labour Party following his election as an independent. He is regulated to some extent by an Assembly elected by a proportional voting system, which is unusual in the British political context. Improvements in public safety and transportation are his key priorities. There is every likelihood that the Mayor and the Assembly will be in conflict with one or more Boroughs from time to time, they had each enjoyed "unitary status" and a fair degree of autonomy since the Greater London (county) Council was abolished by the Conservative Government led by Margaret Thatcher in 1985.

Prime London Tourist Attractions:

Infamous London tourist attractions:

Millennium Dome

London Transport is one of the few public transport systems in the world to be a tourist attraction in its own right; its infrastructure, however, is, and historically has been, financially stretched and under-resourced, leading to frequent difficulties and delays in making journeys.

While TfL runs the Tube, also known as the Underground, the famous red double-decker buses are now run by private companies, although it is a requirement that the buses are still painted (mostly) red. Government proposals to place the Underground network under a "public-private partnership" arrangement have encountered widespread opposition.

London is home to a number of football clubs. Some of the more famous ones in the top division are: Arsenal F.C., Charlton Athletic F.C., Chelsea F.C., Fulham F.C., Tottenham Hotspurs F.C., and West Ham United F.C.. Less famous and proportionately less successful clubs include Crystal Palace F.C., Millwall F.C., Queen's Park Rangers F.C., Wimbledon F.C., and Leyton Orient F.C..

London has five professional symphony orchestras; the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia and the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) Symphony Orchestra.