6 Text V The Growth of London

1. Learn the new words

evidence – свидетельство

principal – главный

nucleus – центр

to refer to – относиться к …

to be adjoined – примыкающий

expansion – распространение

to accelerate – ускорять

to relieve – облегчать

density – плотность

shortage – недостаток

to restrict – ограничить

“sprawl green belt” – зеленый пояс

Read the text and ask your questions

The growth of London

Archeological evidence that London was an active center in Roman times. By the Middle Ages when London became the political and commercial capital of England, it was one of the principal cities in Europe. The original commercial nucleus of the City of London (only a mile square – 2.6 sq km – referred to simply as “the City”) was adjoined by the City of Westminster, where the political centre established by the monarchy was supplemented by the administrative offices of Parliament and Whitehall (originally a royal palace).

London’s expansion accelerated during the Industrial Revolution of the late – eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, by the end of which it had developed into the largest city in the world. During the twentieth century, population growth has been concentrated in the outer suburbs, in the surrounding areas known as the “home counties” and in 12 new towns around London. These new towns, out of a total of 32 in Britain as a whole, were created after 1945 within a radius of 129 km of London to relieve the density of population and the capital’s housing shortage. To restrict the sprawl of built – up areas, London pioneered the concept of a “green belt” around the city where the land is left open and free from further large – scale building development.

6.2 Now read the text once more. How many of your questions can you answer? Retell the text

6.3 While you are reading, make some notes. Like this

Things I knew already…

Things I didn’t know…

Things I don’t understand…

Modern London

Like most of the world’s great cities, London is a place of change and innovation. See the remarkable “inside out” Lloyd’s of London building in the heart of the city’s financial district – designer with its pipes and lifts on the outside!

Close by the Bramah Tea and Coffee Museum which tells of the unique contribution these two beverages have made to the culture, society and economy of Europe.

The Docklands Light Railway provides unrivalled views of the developments in Docklands. You can also reach the Area by a high speed river bus service, which runs from Chelsea Harbour and Charring Cross Pier on the Embankment. Getting around Britain’s capital needn’t be a complicated matter! London’s famous red double-decker buses will get you almost anywhere (and also provide an unbeatable way of seeing the sights). When you are in a hurry, however, use the Underground “tube” trains instead.

Another way of seeing some of London’s sights is by river. A journey on the Thames, by pleasure boat or river bus, gives a completely new perspective on the capital.

Many guided walking tours are operated by the various companies throughout the year. Discover the London of Shakespeare and Dickens, or follow the trail of ghosts and Ghouls.

London’s villages

Each area of London has its own special atmosphere and many places retain the character and charm of small villages. Discover Hampstead to the north of the city, which, with its exclusive shops, pavement cafes and fine Georgian Houses, in a sought – after residential district. The wide open spaces of Hampstead Heath are great for walking, and Parliament Hill provides one of the best views over London.

Get to know the Thames – side village of Richmond to the west, where you can linger in antique shops, walk along the river or explore the beautifully wild landscape of Richmond Park. Also in the area are the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, and Henry VIII’s magnificent Tudor palace of Hampton Court.

Ethnic diversity

London is among the most multi-racial cities in the world and it is estimated that some 160 languages and dialects are spoken by the children in London’s schools. There is a corresponding religious diversity in the capital. Afro-Caribbeans and Indians, numbering 288,000 and 333,000 respectively, from the largest ethnic minority communities in the capital. Other substantial minorities include Pakistanishes, Bangladeshis, Chinese, Africans and Arabs. Ethnic minority newspapers, in both English and ethnic languages, are well established in London and cultural activities are expanding.