'England's
Capital'
Located in the southeast of England, on the River Thames,
it is the capital of the United Kingdom (UK) and
has been the centre of its political, cultural and business life
for centuries. The now sprawling metropolis is a far cry from the
few dwellings that first sprouted up to house river traders during
their voyages towards the sea. It was the Romans
who really jump started the city, by establishing ‘Londinium’
as an important fortress town, guarding the Thames and protecting
against any Celtic tribes trying to invade the untamed island. The
Romans brought with them forts, roads and the rule of law, prompting
the historian Tacitus to boast of an AD60 city ‘filled with
travellers and a celebrated centre of commerce.’
Over the centuries, London has expanded, despite the many dangers
that might have defeated a lesser place – the Great
Plague, the Great Fire, the English
Civil War and even a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
But most recently London and its citizens survived the German Luftwaffe
attempts to bomb the city to oblivion during the World War
II ‘Blitz’.
Nowadays, the scale of Greater London can be daunting
at first, as it sprawls 1500sq km or 580 square miles across a voluminous
plain. However, it is a city that is easy to get around, with the
comprehensive and easily navigated London Underground
or ‘Tube’. The twin axis on which the
city rests is the Houses of Parliament to the west and the City
of London to the east. The seat of government (not far from the
home of the royal family) is connected to the City (the financial
centre of London and the whole of the UK) by the River Thames. In
between lie most of the tourist attractions and the liveliest different
entertainment areas, such as Knightsbridge and
Soho. But London’s charm stretches far beyond
the Circle Line – the Underground route that rings the inner
city. Residential areas outside the city centre, such as leafy Richmond
(southwest) or Hampstead (north), trendy Hoxton
(east) or Notting Hill (west), each have their
own character.
And as the population of London pushes towards the ten million mark,
the city continues to grow and thrive. Home to 37 immigrant groups,
each consisting of more than 10,000 people where some 300 languages
are spoken. This very real multiculturalism is evident on every
street and many restaurants and is a key reason why people love
the city.
Tourists come for London’s history or London’s royal
pageantry but they return for the charms of the modern London, not
least the extraordinary cultural life, with world-class art galleries
and theatres, nightlife, film, music, culinary and fashion scenes.
The city skyline is the place where the London’s rapid change
and optimism is most visible – the Docklands
and the City (with its now famous ‘Gherkin’
tower) have shot up over the past few years.
During the summer months , London’s many green spaces fill
up with office workers and tourists enjoying the surprisingly balmy
days as café tables sprout across a multitude of pavements.
During the winter, the grey skies and rain can be forgotten for
a while in the cosy pubs. But spring or autumn are probably the
best seasons to visit, when clear crisp sunny days often illuminate
London and its landmarks. |
