Main Cities of Great Britain London

When we think of Paris, Rome, Madrid, Lisbon and other European capitals, we think of them as “cities”. Modern London is not one city; it is a number of cities, towns, and villages. Today the metropolis of Greater London covers some 610 square miles (1,580 sq.km.) and the suburbs of London continue even beyond this area.

London is situated on both banks of the river Thames, it is the largest city in Britain and one of the largest in the world.

London dominates the life of Britain. It is a big port and important commercial, manufacturing and cultural centre.

Its most important boroughs are the City, the West End, Westminster, and the East End.

The City of London is an area with a long and exciting history. It is the financial and business centre of the UK with many banks, offices and the Stock Exchange. About half a million people work in the City but only less than 6,000 live here. The City of London is a miniature city within a world-class capital. It has its own cathedral, concert halls and theatres. Two masterpieces are situated within the City: St.Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. St.Paul’s Cathedral was built in the 17^th century by Christopher Wren. The Tower of London has been used as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state prison and a fortress. Now it is a museum.

The West End can be called the shopping and entertainment centre of London. It includes Trafalgar Square, Regent Street and Bond Street, and the entertainment centres of Soho, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue. The West End is the fashionable quarter of the largest department stores, cinemas and hotels. There are about 40 theatres, several concert halls, many museums including the British Museum, and the best art galleries. Here are the historical palaces as well as the famous parks. Among them are Hyde Park with its Speaker’s Corner, Kensington Gardens and St.James’ Park.

Westminster is a part of London that has long been connected with

royalty and government. It includes Buckingham Palace, home of the monarch, and the Houses of Parliament with its famous clock-tower, known as Big Ben. Opposite the Houses of Parliament stands Westminster Abbey. It was built in the middle of the 19^th century. Westminster Abbey is the place where coronation of nearly all kings and queens has taken place. Many of them are buried here as well as some other great people. In Poet’s Corner there are monuments to such famous people as Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, James Watt, William Thackeray, and Charles Dickens. There are also memorials to William Shakespeare, Robert Burns, George Byron, Walter Scott and to the great American poet Longfellow in the cathedral.

The most important ministries and departments of the civil service are in Whitehall, the broad street which leads down to the Houses of Parliament; and off Whitehall at № 10 Downing Street, stands the house where the Prime Minister lives and the Cabinet meets.

The East End is the district of docks and markets. It is especially famous as the centre of the clothing industry. The East End’s markets are famous throughout the world.

London, Britain’s colourful capital, is full of things to see and do, with superb shopping, world-famous sights and a wealth of excellent entertainment and nightlife.