London

London is capital of both England and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It covers area of 1580 sq. Kilometres, where live almost 7million people and about 12 million people with conurbation. It is one of the largest cities in the world and one of the largest ports. It is situated on the river Thames, in southeast of GB. It is divided into 3 parts and 32 district (boroughs). The parts are City of London, City of Westminster, and City of Southwark. It is seat of monarch, parliament, and government.

History:

The Celts settled the territory of today’s London in 800 BC. Although the place had been occupied by the Romans about 55 BC, later about 43 AD did they established Roman Londonium (the name comes from old Celtic word Llyndum which means a walled place situated high). When Romans left the island in the 5^th century, it remained the capital of Britons. It kept its importance during the Anglo-Saxon times and later in 10^th and 11^th century during the reign of Danish kings. During 12^th century reign of Norman kings (William the Conqueror was the first to come) the royal court moved from Winchester, the former capital, to London forever. The 16^th century establishment of the trading companies and the Royal Exchange contributed to the rapid economic rise of London. In 1665 more than 75000 people died from a plague epidemic, in 1666 the Great fire of London destroyed four fifths of the city. Sir Christopher Wren was appointed the main architect of rebuilding town (his masterpiece St. Paul’s Cathedral). The port had always been important for existence of Britain, but during the first three decades of the 19^th century it became the biggest in Britain. German bombing during World War II causes serious damage especially in the City. Since 1982 the most risky and criticised project in the recent times has been the rescue and new development of the Docklands east of the City.

Sightseeing:

The city of London is the oldest part of town. It is divided into 2 parts: East-end and West-end. In the East end live working class, a lot of poor people, there are docks; West end is famous for shops, theatres and cinemas; it is known as centre of commercial, financial and cultural life, there is the greatest concentration of banks

Tower of London – served till the 6^th century as a royal home, a prison an execution site, a royal mint and an observatory; there are also used to be a royal menagerie

– Now it’s a museum where tourists go to see an arsenal of weapons, the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House, the prison, the execution block (Ann Boleyn, Thomas More were there beheaded)

– six ravens are kept in the Tower to protect the whole Kingdom

Tower bridge – the most famous bridge of London, which is raised in the middle to allow ships to pass up the river; built in 1894; it takes 90 second to raise

St. Paul’s cathedral – Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece was completed after 35 years in 1711; is built in the Baroque style

The Monument – commemorating the place in Pudding Lane where the Great Fire of London started

-is about 60 metre-high column whose 311 steps lead visitors to the terrace (from which they can admire a beautiful view of City)

The city of Westminster: it is political and administrative centre

The houses of parliament – political centre of UK, the home of British Parliament; Neo-Gothic style

Big Ben – clock tower; the strike is used by the BBC as a time signal

Westminster abbey – its history goes back to the 11^th century, although many parts were added later; almost all coronations (since William the Conqueror 1066) have been held there, and many British kings and queens are buried in the Abbey (Elisabeth I., Charles II.)

• Coronation Chair is the symbol of Scottish Royalty
• Poet’s Corner – there are the tombstones and monuments to some famous poets (John Milton, William Shakespeare)

Buckingham palace – the London home of the kings and queens of GB; outside the Changing of the Guard

Downing Street nr.10 – has been the home of the Prime Minister since 1735

The city of Southwark:

Transport – one of the oldest undergrounds  “tube” (large-many lines, one circle line – go easier)

Red busses – double-deckers

Black taxis – cabs