11.The City of London

1.The Bank of England. 2. The Stock Exchange. 3. Lloyd’s of London. 4. Top companies of the UK.

The City of London, also known as the "Square Mile," is the historic financial district and ancient core of the greater London metropolis, a unique administrative area with its own government (the City of London Corporation) led by the Lord Mayor, distinct from Greater London but forming part of the wider capital. It's a hub for banking, commerce, and history, featuring iconic landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral, the Bank of England, and the Tower of London, alongside modern skyscrapers, attracting vast numbers of workers and visitors daily. Founded by Romans as Londinium around 47 AD, its boundaries have remained largely unchanged for centuries, forming the original city.

Landmarks & Attractions

St Paul's Cathedral: A masterpiece of architecture, central to the City's skyline.

Tower of London: A historic castle on the Thames, marking the eastern edge.

The Gherkin, The Shard, The Walkie-Talkie: Modern skyscrapers mixed with historic buildings.

Barbican Centre: A major arts and cultural venue.

1. Bank. We're publicly owned. We are a public body that must answer to the people of the UK through Parliament. Founded in 1694, is the UK’s central bank, responsible for monetary policy, issuing currency, and financial stability.

1694: Established by William Paterson to raise £1.2 million for King William III's war against France, becoming the government's banker and debt manager.

1734: Moved to its current location on Threadneedle Street, earning its famous nickname, derived from a famous cartoon referencing Sarah Whitehead, a woman who frequented the bank looking for her brother.

1844: Bank Charter Act effectively made it the sole issuer of banknotes, building on its early practice of issuing notes against gold deposits.

1946: Nationalized by the Labour government, becoming owned by the state.

1997: Gained operational independence, allowing it to set interest rates to meet the government's inflation target.

2013: Introduced polymer banknotes for enhanced security, though paper notes have a long history with the Bank.

2. The Stock Ex. The London Stock Exchange (LSE) was founded in 1801, though its origins date back to the 17th century when traders and stockbrokers met in coffee houses around London, especially Jonathan’s Coffee House. In 1698, stockbrokers began listing stock prices regularly, laying the groundwork for a formal exchange. The LSE became the first regulated exchange in the UK and grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution as demand for capital increased. It played a central role in financing the British Empire and global trade. In the 20th century, it modernised through computerisation (e.g., the "Big Bang" reforms of 1986) and expanded through mergers, including with other European exchanges to form part of today’s London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). It remains one of the world’s leading stock exchanges.

3. Lloyd’s. Lloyd’s of London is a leading global insurance and reinsurance market, known for underwriting specialist and complex risks. Lloyd’s of London began in the late 17th century as a coffee house run by Edward Lloyd, where shipowners, merchants, and sailors gathered to share shipping news and arrange insurance. By the 1680s, it became a centre for marine insurance underwriters who signed contracts to cover risks—hence the term "underwriters." Over time, Lloyd’s developed into a formal insurance market, known for its unique structure: it’s not a company but a marketplace where syndicates of investors (or “Names”) pool capital to insure specialised and complex risks. Lloyd’s played a key role in insuring global trade and expanded into non-marine insurance in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it remains a leading global insurance and reinsurance market based in the City of London.

4. Top companies.

HSBC Holdings – One of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

BP (British Petroleum) – A global energy company and one of the UK’s largest oil and gas firms.

Unilever – A multinational consumer goods company (headquartered jointly in London and Rotterdam).

AstraZeneca – A leading global biopharmaceutical company.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) – A major pharmaceutical and healthcare company.

Barclays – A major British multinational bank.

BP, Shell – Royal Dutch Shell has its UK headquarters in London; both are energy giants.

Prudential plc – A major financial services and insurance group.

BT Group – The UK’s leading telecommunications company.

Rio Tinto – A global mining and metals corporation (dual-listed in London and Australia).

Many of these firms are listed on the London Stock Exchange and form part of the FTSE 100, the index of the UK’s largest publicly traded companies. London’s status as a global financial centre attracts multinational headquarters and drives the UK economy.

12.Agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Transport and communications.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry:

These are primary sector industries that provide raw materials for food, industry, and export. In the UK, agriculture is highly mechanised and efficient, producing about 50% of the country’s food despite employing less than 1% of the workforce. Major products include wheat, barley, potatoes, and livestock (cattle and sheep). Fisheries have declined due to EU regulations (now post-Brexit managed by the UK) and overfishing, but remain important in coastal areas. The main types of fish caught by the UK fishing industry include:

• Demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish: Cod, haddock, and plaice – traditionally the most important for UK fisheries.

• Pelagic (mid-water) fish: Mackerel, herring, and sprats – caught in large quantities, often for export, fishmeal, or human consumption.

• Shellfish: Nephrops (langoustines/prawns), scallops, crabs, and lobsters – increasingly valuable and a growing part of the UK catch.

Forestry is limited—only around 13% of UK land is forested—and the country imports most of its timber.

Transport and Communications:

The UK has a well-developed transport network including roads (e.g., motorways like the M1 and M25), railways (including high-speed services like HS1 and soon HS2), major airports (Heathrow, Gatwick – both are in London), and seaports (Felixstowe - in the East Suffolk district, in the county of Suffolk, England. East Anglia, Dover - It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at 33 kilometres (21 mi) from Cap Gris Nez in France. It lies southeast of Canterbury and east of Maidstone. The town is the administrative centre of the Dover District and home of the Port of Dover.). Public transport is vital in cities, especially London’s Underground and bus system. In communications, the UK is a leader in digital infrastructure, with widespread broadband, mobile networks, and a strong broadcasting sector (e.g., BBC). The sector supports trade, tourism, and global business, reinforcing the UK’s role as a connected, service-based economy.

The London Underground, commonly known as "the Tube," is the oldest underground railway network in the world, opened in 1863 with the Metropolitan Line. It serves Greater London and parts of the surrounding Home Counties. Today, it has 11 lines, 272 stations, and carries over 1 billion passengers annually. Operated by Transport for London (TfL), the Tube is vital for daily commuting, reducing road congestion, and supporting the city’s economy. Known for its iconic roundel logo, Tube map (designed by Harry Beck in 1931), and deep-level tunnels, it is a symbol of London and a key part of the city’s public transport network alongside buses, Overground, and rail services.

The London bus network is one of the largest and most iconic urban transport systems in the world. Operated by Transport for London (TfL), it includes over 8,000 buses on more than 700 routes, carrying around 6 million passengers daily. The red double-decker bus—especially the Routemaster, introduced in the 1950s—is a globally recognised symbol of London. Modern buses are low-floor, accessible, and increasingly eco-friendly, with many now electric or hybrid. Buses play a crucial role in London’s public transport, connecting areas not served by the Tube and supporting mobility across the city. Payment is mainly via contactless cards or Oyster cards, with cash no longer accepted.