London - Hisotry, Places of interests
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London
a) London
Characteristic:
London is the capital of both England and United Kingdom. It lies on the river Themes. Almost 7 million people live in London and over 15 million in its conurbation1. It includes City of London and 32 boroughs2. London is the seat of the Monarch, Parliament, Government and the Supreme Court. The Prime Meridian of the World runs across Greenwich in the east London.
History:
The first inhabitants were Celts in 800 BC. Then the place was occupied by Romans in 55 BC and in 43 BC they established Roman Londonium there. After the Romans left, this city remains the capital for Britons. In 12th century Norman Kings moved the royal court3 from Winchester to London forever. In 16th century there were established trading companies and Royal Exchange it seriously contributed to rise of London. The 17th century brought suffering for London. In 1665 the Plague epidemic and in 1666 the Great Fire of London. After the fire four fifth of the city were destroyed. The main architect after the fire was Christopher Wren and his masterpiece is St. Paul’s Cathedral. Then the first insurance, bank and the Stock Exchange were established. One of the important things for London is the Port, which became the biggest in 19th century. In the 19th century the infrastructure was established and a lot of suburbs4 were connected. In the 20th century the City was also seriously damaged during the World War II.
The prime5 economic importance of London is financial and commercial center. Twenty-two percent of the world’s transactions take place in London. More than 50 per cent of cargo shipping and air transport is also centered in London. In London there are 5 airports (the biggest are Heathrow and Gatwick). The other main means of transport in London are: busses, underground and well known black taxis.
Places of interests:
There are two cities in the center of London: the City of London and the City of Westminster. The City is the oldest part of London. Now is the home to the financial district6.
The city of London:
- the oldest part of the town, near the river Themes
- West End – shops, theatres and cinemas
- East End – here are situated the docks and many immigrants and workers live here
Tower of London - built by William the Conqueror in 11th century
- it was royal palace before and then a prison and royal mint
- it is a museum now with a crown jewels (in Jewel House) , weapons
- the White Tower is in the complex and it’s whole white
- the tower is guarded by Yeomen Warders, who still wear Tudor uniforms
- six ravens are kept in the tower to protect whole kingdom
Tower Bridge - several exhibitions in two main towers about the history of the bridge
- the bridge can break in the middle to allow tall ships to go through
- it takes 90 seconds to raise
St Paul’s Cathedral - built by Sir Christopher Wren in 17th century
- it stands on the place where was the Cathedral which was destroyed in Great fire
- it is in Baroque style
- it is the second largest church in the world