Unit 2 l o n d o n

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is over ten million. London is one of the oldest and most interesting places on the planet.

It was founded in the first century A.D. by the Romans. They left London in the 5^th century and the city was largely abandoned. By the 8^th century it was again a busy trading centre, and in the 11^th century it became the capital of England. Edward the Confessor built a palace and an abbey at Westminster. The Norman period saw the construction of the Tower, old St. Paul’s Cathedral and many churches and monasteries.

Medieval London grew in importance as a trading centre and in 1215 its citizens won the right to elect their own leader, or Lord Mayor. The Great Fire of 1666 destroyed three-quarters of the city. Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt St. Paul’s Cathedral. During the 19^th century London spread rapidly into the suburbs. As a result, new forms of transport were developed, including the underground railway system.

Today Greater London covers 625 square miles and consists of 33 separate boroughs. Traditionally London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. About half a million people work there, but less than 6 000 live there.

There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St. Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. The Tower of London is also situated in the City. It has been closely associated with many important events in English history. It has served as citadel, palace, prison, mint and museum. The Tower is famous for its illustrious prisoners, such as Sir Thomas Moor and Guy Fawkes. The Tower is guarded by the Yeoman Warders popularly known as Beefeaters.

Westminster is the historic and governmental part of London. William the Conqueror was crowned in the Abbey and since then all the coronations have taken place there. The Abbey contains many royal tombs, memorials to eminent men and women. But the most popular ones are those to writers, actors and musicians in Poet’s corner.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s official London residence. London’s most popular spectacle is Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It takes place in the forecourt and lasts about 30 minutes.

The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs and theatres are located there. Oxford Street is an endless shopping area which attracts visitors from everywhere in the world.

Going down Oxford Street you come to Trafalgar Square which is yet another symbol of London. This square received its name from the cape near which Lord Nelson defeated Franco-Spanish fleet in 1805. Admiral Nelson stands in bronze on top of a tall column in the middle of the square.

On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum – the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures and is famous for its library.

The East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the buildings are unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families.

Exercise 1.

Memorize the following words and phrases.

to abandon покидать

borough округ

century век

Changing the Guard смена караула

coin монета

to crown короновать

Edward the Confessor Эдуард Исповедник

Lord Mayor лорд-мэр

luxury роскошь

medieval средневековый

mint монетный двор

priceless бесценный

striking замечательный

the Old Bailey Центральный уголовный суд

the Stock Exchange Лондонская фондовая биржа

tomb могила

William the Conqueror Вильгельм Завоеватель

to win the right добиться права

workshop мастерская

Yeoman Warder стражник Тауэра.

Exercise 2.

Answer the following questions.

1. Is London a big city?

2. How many people live there?

3. When was it founded?

4. Can you name the most important events of medieval London?

5. What is meant by Greater London?

6. What parts is London traditionally divided into?

7. What is a borough?

8. What is the City known for?

9. What famous buildings do you know within the City?

10. What did the Tower serve as?

11. What is the Buckingham Palace famous for?

12.Where is London’s most famous shopping area situated?

13. What London museums do you know?

14. Can you say a few words about the West End and the East End?

Exercise 3.