1. London
London is the capital of the UK. It was founded by the Romans in 43 AD by the Romans. In the 1st century it became the capital of England. London underground railway system was built in 1862.
Today Greater London consists of 33 separate boroughs, including the City, the West End, and the East End. The river Thames divides London into two parts. Fifteen bridges link the right and the left banks of the river. The most famous of them are London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge.
London is a big cultural centre with many of museums and art galleries. You can visit the British Museum which houses collections of antiquities, prints, and manuscripts and the national library; the Victoria and Albert Museum of decorative arts; and the music and arts complex located on the South Bank of the Thames.
The City of London is the oldest part of London. It is also the financial centre of the UK. The main banks and offices are situated in the City. The Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and the Stock Exchange are located here. In the City you can visit Saint Paul's Cathedral which was designed in a classical Baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren. It was constructed between 1675 and 1710. Many famous persons are buried in the Cathedral.
The Tower of London is situated in the City at the bank of the river Thames. It was the royal residence, the prison, the zoo and the mint. Now it is the museum where you can see the jewelry of the British crown and old weapons.
The West End is the richest part of London. It is famous for its historical places and parks. These are Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the main government offices, New Scotland Yard, the Tate Gallery, and the National Gallery. There are five parks in the centre of London: Hyde Park, with its famous Speakers' Corner; Kensington Gardens with the Victorian Gothic Albert Memorial; Regent's Park, home of the Zoological Gardens and Regent's Canal; Green Park and Saint James’s Park. In the West End you can visit big shops, theatres, restaurants, and night clubs.
Trafalgar Square is one of the central squares in London. It was named for Lord Nelson's naval victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. In the centre of the square you can see the Nelson's Column with the statue of Admiral Nelson on the top. At the corners of the column there are four sculptured lions. Trafalgar Square is the site of the National Gallery. Traditionally political meetings are held here. Each December a large Christmas tree sent from Norway is erected in Trafalgar Square.
Westminster is the administrative and political centre of London. The main government buildings and offices are situated in Westminster. There you can see Westminster Abbey, an old church built in Gothic style. Since William the Conqueror, all British kings and queens have been crowned in the abbey. Many kings and queens are buried here. There are memorials to outstanding men and women. But the most popular ones are those to writers, actors and musicians in Poets' Corner. The grave of the «Unknown Warrior» is in the centre of the west nave.
The Houses of Parliament are situated in the Palace of Westminster which was the royal residence and the main court of law. There you can see the Big Ben – the famous British clock in the tallest tower.
London's East End is the poorest part of London. The port of London was in the East End until recently. There are a lot of docks and storehouses in the East End.