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London i/ˈlʌndən/ is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom.[5] It is the most populous region, urban zone and metropolitan area in the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who named it Londinium.[6] London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its 1.12-square-mile (2.9 km2) mediaeval boundaries and in 2011 had a resident population of 7,375, making it the smallest city in England. Since at least the 19th century, the term London has also referred to the metropolis developed around this core.[7] The bulk of this conurbation forms the London region[8] and the Greater London administrative area,[9][note 1] governed by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.[10] London is a leading global city,[11][12] with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence.[13] It is one of the world's leading financial centres[14][15][16] and has the fifth-or sixth-largest metropolitan area GDP in the world depending on measurement.[note 2][17][18] London is a world cultural capital.[19][20][21][22] It is the world's most-visited city as measured by international arrivals[23] and has the world's largest city airport system measured by passenger traffic.[24] London's 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe.[25] In 2012, London became the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times.[26] London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries.[27] London had an official population of 8,308,369 in 2012,[2] making it the most populous municipality in the European Union,[28] and accounting for 12.5% of the UK population.[29] The Greater London Urban Area is the second-largest in the EU with a population of 9,787,426 according to the 2011 census.[3] The London metropolitan area is the largest in the EU with a total population of 13,614,409,[note 3][4][30] while the Greater London Authority puts the population of London metropolitan region at 21 million.[31] London had the largest population of any city in the world from around 1831 to 1925.[32] London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret's Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich (in which the Royal Observatory, Greenwich marks the Prime Meridian, 0° longitude, and GMT).[33] Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and The Shard. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Library and 40 West End theatres.[34] The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world.[35][36] HistoryMain article: History of London See also: Timeline of London history ToponymyMain article: Etymology of London The name London may derive from the River ThamesThe etymology of London is uncertain.[37] It is an ancient name, found in sources from the 2nd century. It is recorded c. 121 as Londinium, which points to Romano-British origin.[37] The earliest attempted explanation, now disregarded, is attributed to Geoffrey of Monmouth in Historia Regum Britanniae.[37] This had it that the name originated from a supposed King Lud, who had allegedly taken over the city and named it Kaerlud.[38] From 1898, it was commonly accepted that the name was of Celtic origin and meant place belonging to a man called *Londinos; this explanation has since been rejected.[37] Richard Coates put forward an explanation in 1998 that it is derived from the pre-Celtic Old European *(p)lowonida, meaning 'river too wide to ford', and suggested that this was a name given to the part of the River Thames which flows through London; from this, the settlement gained the Celtic form of its name, *Lowonidonjon;[39] this requires quite a serious amendment however. The ultimate difficulty lies in reconciling the Latin form Londinium with the modern Welsh Llundain, which should demand a form *(h)lōndinion (as opposed to *londīnion), from earlier *loundiniom. The possibility cannot be ruled out that the Welsh name was borrowed back in from English at a later date, and thus cannot be used as a basis from which to reconstruct the original name. Until 1889, the name "London" officially only applied to the City of London but since then it has also referred to the County of London and now Greater London.[7] Prehistory and antiquityTwo recent discoveries indicate probable very early settlements near the Thames in the London area. In 1999, the remains of a Bronze Age bridge were found on the foreshore north of Vauxhall Bridge.[40] This bridge either crossed the Thames, or went to a (lost) island in the river. Dendrology dated the timbers to 1500BC.[40] In 2010 the foundations of a large timber structure, dated to 4500BC, were found on the Thames foreshore, south of Vauxhall Bridge.[41] The function of the mesolithic structure is not known. Both structures are on South Bank, at a natural crossing point where the River Effra flows into the River Thames.[41] In 1300, the City was still confined within the Roman walls.Although there is evidence of scattered Brythonic settlements in the area, the first major settlement was founded by the Romans in 43 AD.[42] This lasted for just seventeen years and around 61, the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boudica stormed it, burning it to the ground.[43] The next, heavily planned, incarnation of Londinium prospered and superseded Colchester as the capital of the Roman province of Britannia in 100. At its height during the 2nd century, Roman London had a population of around 60,000. Anglo-Saxon London The Lancastrian siege of London in 1471 is attacked by a Yorkist sally.With the collapse of Roman rule in the early 5th century, London ceased to be a capital and the walled city of Londinium was effectively abandoned, although Roman civilisation hung on in the St Martin-in-the-Fields area until around 450.[44] From around 500, an Anglo-Saxon settlement known as Lundenwic developed in the same area, slightly to the west of the old Roman city.[45] By about 680, it had revived sufficiently to become a major port, although there is little evidence of large-scale production of goods. From the 820s the town declined because of repeated Viking attacks, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recorded that it was "refounded" by Alfred the Great in 886. Archaeological research shows that this involved abandonment of Lundenwic and a revival of life and trade within the old Roman walls. London then grew slowly until about 950, after which activity increased dramatically.[46] By the 11th century, London was beyond all comparison the largest town in England. Westminster Abbey, rebuilt in the Romanesque style by King Edward the Confessor, was one of the grandest churches in Europe. Winchester had previously been the capital of Anglo-Saxon England, but from this time on, London became the main forum for foreign traders and the base for defence in time of war. In the view of Frank Stenton: "It had the resources, and it was rapidly developing the dignity and the political self-consciousness appropriate to a national capital."[47][48] Middle Ages Westminster Abbey, as seen in this painting (Canaletto, 1749), is a World Heritage Site and one of London's oldest and most important buildingsFollowing his victory in the Battle of Hastings, William, Duke of Normandy, was crowned King of England in the newly finished Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066.[49] William constructed the Tower of London, the first of the many Norman castles in England to be rebuilt in stone, in the southeastern corner of the city, to intimidate the native inhabitants.[50] In 1097, William II began the building of Westminster Hall, close by the abbey of the same name. The hall became the basis of a new Palace of Westminster.[51][52] During the 12th century, the institutions of central government, which had hitherto accompanied the royal English court as it moved around the country, grew in size and sophistication and became increasingly fixed in one place. In most cases this was Westminster, although the royal treasury, having been moved from Winchester, came to rest in the Tower. While the City of Westminster developed into a true capital in governmental terms, its distinct neighbour, the City of London, remained England's largest city and principal commercial centre, and it flourished under its own unique administration, the Corporation of London. In 1100, its population was around 18,000; by 1300 it had grown to nearly 100,000.[53] Disaster struck during the Black Death in the mid-14th century, when London lost nearly a third of its population.[54] London was the focus of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381.[55] Early modern The Great Fire of London destroyed many parts of the city in 1666. London in 1806During the Tudor period the Reformation produced a gradual shift to Protestantism, with much of London passing from church to private ownership.[56] The traffic in woollen cloths shipped undyed and undressed from London to the nearby shores of the Low Countries where it was considered indespensable.[57] But the tentacles of English maritime enterprise hardly extended beyond the seas of north-west Europe. The commercial route to Italy and the Mediterranean Sea normally lay through Antwerp and over the Alps; any ships passing through the Strait of Gibraltar to or from England were likely to be Italian or Ragusan. Upon the re-opening of the Netherlands to English shipping in January 1565 there at once ensued a strong outburst of commercial activity.[58] The Royal Exchange was founded.[59] Mercantilism grew and monopoly trading companies such as the East India Company were established, with trade expanding to the New World. London became the principal North Sea port, with migrants arriving from England and abroad. The population rose from an estimated 50,000 in 1530 to about 225,000 in 1605.[56] In the 16th century William Shakespeare and his contemporaries lived in London at a time of hostility to the development of the theatre. By the end of the Tudor period in 1603, London was still very compact. There was an assassination attempt on James I in Westminster, through the Gunpowder Plot on 5 November 1605.[60] London was plagued by disease in the early 17th century,[61] culminating in the Great Plague of 1665–1666, which killed up to 100,000 people, or a fifth of the population.[62] The Great Fire of London broke out in 1666 in Pudding Lane in the city and quickly swept through the wooden buildings.[63] Rebuilding took over ten years and was supervised by Robert Hooke[64][65][66] as Surveyor of London.[67] In 1708 Christopher Wren's masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral was completed. During the Georgian era new districts such as Mayfair were formed in the west; and new bridges over the Thames encouraged development in South London. In the east, the Port of London expanded downstream. In 1762, George III acquired Buckingham House and it was enlarged over the next 75 years. During the 18th century, London was dogged by crime and the Bow Street Runners were established in 1750 as a professional police force.[68] In total, more than 200 offences were punishable by death,[69] and women and children were hanged for petty theft.[70] Over 74 per cent of children born in London died before they were five.[71] The coffeehouse became a popular place to debate ideas, with growing literacy and the development of the printing press making news widely available; and Fleet Street became the centre of the British press. According to Samuel Johnson: You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. —Samuel Johnson, 1777[72] Late modern and contemporary British volunteer recruits in London, August 1914 A bombed-out London street during the Blitz of the Second World WarLondon was the world's largest city from about 1831 to 1925.[73] London's overcrowded conditions led to cholera epidemics,[74] claiming 14,000 lives in 1848, and 6,000 in 1866.[75] Rising traffic congestion led to the creation of the world's first local urban rail network. The Metropolitan Board of Works oversaw infrastructure expansion in the capital and some of the surrounding counties; it was abolished in 1889 when the London County Council was created out of those areas of the counties surrounding the capital. London was bombed by the Germans during the First World War while during the Second World War the Blitz and other bombing by the German Luftwaffe killed over 30,000 Londoners and destroyed large tracts of housing and other buildings across the city. Immediately after the war, the 1948 Summer Olympics were held at the original Wembley Stadium, at a time when London had barely recovered from the war. In 1951, the Festival of Britain was held on the South Bank. The Great Smog of 1952 led to the Clean Air Act 1956, which ended the "pea soup fogs" for which London had been notorious. From the 1940s onwards, London became home to a large number of immigrants, largely from Commonwealth countries such as Jamaica, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, making London one of the most diverse cities in Europe. Primarily starting in the mid-1960s, London became a centre for the worldwide youth culture, exemplified by the Swinging London subculture associated with the King's Road, Chelsea and Carnaby Street. The role of trendsetter was revived during the punk era. In 1965 London's political boundaries were expanded to take into account the growth of the urban area and a new Greater London Council was created. During The Troubles in Northern Ireland, London was subjected to bombing attacks by the Provisional IRA. Racial inequality was highlighted by the 1981 Brixton riot. Greater London's population declined steadily in the decades after the Second World War, from an estimated peak of 8.6 million in 1939 to around 6.8 million in the 1980s. The principal ports for London moved downstream to Felixstowe and Tilbury, with the London Docklands area becoming a focus for regeneration as the Canary Wharf development. This was borne out of London's ever-increasing role as a major international financial centre during the 1980s. The Thames Barrier was completed in the 1980s to protect London against tidal surges from the North Sea. The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986, which left London as the only large metropolis in the world without a central administration. In 2000, London-wide government was restored, with the creation of the Greater London Authority. To celebrate the start of the 21st century, the Millennium Dome, London Eye and Millennium Bridge were constructed. On 6 July 2005 London was awarded the 2012 Summer Olympics, making London the first city to stage the Olympic Games three times.[76] GovernmentLondon This article is part of a series on the politics and government of London Sovereign Elizabeth II Greater London Authority Mayor: Boris Johnson Deputy: Victoria Borwick 1998 referendum 1999 Act 2007 Act London Assembly Constituencies Mayoral elections London Assembly election, 2012 City of London Corporation Lord Mayor Sheriff Wards Court of Aldermen Parliamentary constituencies in London London results of UK 2010 election European Parliament constituency 2009 election Boroughs Inns of Court London local elections, 2010 British politics portal v · t · e Local governmentMain articles: Local government in London, History of local government in London, and List of heads of London government The administration of London is formed of two tiers—a city-wide, strategic tier and a local tier. City-wide administration is coordinated by the Greater London Authority (GLA), while local administration is carried out by 33 smaller authorities.[77] The GLA consists of two elected components; the Mayor of London, who has executive powers, and the London Assembly, who scrutinise the mayor's decisions and can accept or reject his budget proposals each year. The headquarters of the GLA is City Hall, Southwark; the mayor is Boris Johnson. The mayor's statutory planning strategy is published as the London Plan, which was most recently revised in 2011.[78] The local authorities are the councils of the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation.[79] They are responsible for most local services, such as local planning, schools, social services, local roads and refuse collection. Certain functions, such as waste management, are provided through joint arrangements. In 2009–2010 the combined revenue expenditure by London councils and the GLA amounted to just over £22 billion (£14.7 billion for the boroughs and £7.4 billion for the GLA).[80] Policing in Greater London, with the exception of the City of London, is provided by the Metropolitan Police Force, overseen by the Mayor through the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC).[81][82] The City of London has its own police force – the City of London Police.[83] The British Transport Police are responsible for police services on National Rail and London Underground services.[84] The London Fire Brigade is the statutory fire and rescue service for Greater London. It is run by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and is the third largest fire service in the world.[85] National Health Service ambulance services are provided by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) NHS Trust, the largest free-at-the-point-of-use emergency ambulance service in the world.[86] The London Air Ambulance charity operates in conjunction with the LAS where required. Her Majesty's Coastguard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution operate on the River Thames,[87][88] which is under the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority from Teddington Lock to the sea.[89] National governmentLondon is the seat of the Government of the United Kingdom. Many government departments are based close to the Palace of Westminster, particularly along Whitehall, including the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street.[90] The British Parliament is often referred to as the "Mother of Parliaments" (although this sobriquet was first applied to England itself by John Bright)[91] because it has been the model for most other parliamentary systems, and its Acts have created many other parliaments. There are 73 Members of Parliament (MPs) from London, who correspond to local parliamentary constituencies in the national Parliament. Of these, 38 are from the Labour Party, 28 are Conservatives, and 7 are Liberal Democrats. GeographyMain article: Geography of London Scope Satellite view of inner London Greater city of London and the south of England lit up at night and seen from the airGreater London is the top-level administrative subdivision covering London. The small, ancient City of London at its core once contained the whole settlement, but as the urban area grew the City Corporation resisted attempts to amalgamate it with its suburbs, causing "London" to be defined in a number ways for different purposes; and the situation was once open to legal debate.[92][not in citation given] Forty per cent of Greater London is covered by the London post town, within which 'LONDON' forms part of postal addresses.[93][94] The London telephone area code (020) covers a larger area, similar in size to Greater London, although some outer districts are omitted and some places just outside are included. The area within the orbital M25 motorway is normally what is referred to as 'London'.[95] and the Greater London boundary has been aligned to it in places.[96] Outward urban expansion is now prevented by the Metropolitan Green Belt,[97] although the built-up area extends beyond the boundary in places, resulting in a separately defined Greater London Urban Area. Beyond this is the vast London commuter belt.[98] Greater London is split for some purposes into Inner London and Outer London.[99] The city is split by the River Thames into North and South, with an informal central London area in its interior. The coordinates of the nominal centre of London, traditionally considered to be the original Eleanor Cross at Charing Cross near the junction of Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, are approximately WikiMiniAtlas 51°30′26″N 00°07′39″W / 51.50722°N 0.12750°W / 51.50722; -0.12750.[100] StatusWithin London, both the City of London and the City of Westminster have city status and both the City of London and the remainder of Greater London are the ceremonial counties.[101] The area of Greater London has incorporated areas that were once part of the historic counties of Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire.[102] London's status as the capital of England, and later the United Kingdom, has never been granted or confirmed officially—by statute or in written form.[note 4] Its position was formed through constitutional convention, making its status as de facto capital a part of the UK's unwritten constitution. The capital of England was moved to London from Winchester as the Palace of Westminster developed in the 12th and 13th centuries to become the permanent location of the royal court, and thus the political capital of the nation.[106] More recently, Greater London has been defined as a region of England and in this context is known as London.[8] Topography Parliament HillGreater London encompasses a total area of 1,583 square kilometres (611 sq mi), an area which had a population of 7,172,036 in 2001 and a population density of 4,542 inhabitants per square kilometre (11,760 /sq mi). The extended area known as the London Metropolitan Region or the London Metropolitan Agglomeration, comprises a total area of 8,382 square kilometres (3,236 sq mi) has a population of 13,709,000 and a population density of 1,510 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,900 /sq mi).[107] Modern London stands on the Thames, its primary geographical feature, a navigable river which crosses the city from the south-west to the east. The Thames Valley is a floodplain surrounded by gently rolling hills including Parliament Hill, Addington Hills, and Primrose Hill. The Thames was once a much broader, shallower river with extensive marshlands; at high tide, its shores reached five times their present width.[108] Since the Victorian era the Thames has been extensively embanked, and many of its London tributaries now flow underground. The Thames is a tidal river, and London is vulnerable to flooding.[109] The threat has increased over time because of a slow but continuous rise in high water level by the slow 'tilting' of Britain (up in the north and down in the south) caused by post-glacial rebound.[110] In 1974, a decade of work began on the construction of the Thames Barrier across the Thames at Woolwich to deal with this threat. While the barrier is expected to function as designed until roughly 2070, concepts for its future enlargement or redesign are already being discussed.[111] Climate Regent Street in the snowLondon has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb ), similar to much of southern Britain. Despite its reputation as being a rainy city, London receives less precipitation (with 601 mm (24 in) in a year), than Rome (at 834 mm (33 in)), Bordeaux (at 923 mm (36 in)), Toulouse (at 668 mm (26 in)), and Naples (at 1,006 mm (40 in) per year).[112][113][114][115][116] Winters are generally chilly to cold with frost usually occurring in the suburbs on average twice a week from November to March. Snow usually occurs about four or five times a year mostly from December to February. Snowfall during March and April is rare but does occur every two or three years. Winter temperatures seldom fall below −4 °C (24.8 °F) or rise above 14 °C (57.2 °F). During the winter of 2010, London experienced its lowest temperature on record (−14 °C (6.8 °F)) in Northolt and the heaviest snow seen for almost two decades, a huge strain on the city's transport infrastructure. Temperature extremes for all sites in the London area range from 38.1 °C (100.6 °F) at Kew during August 2003, (which has been proposed to be the UK's highest 'accurate' temperature)[117] down to −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) at Northolt during January 1962.[118] Temperatures of below −20 °C (−4.0 °F) have been noted prior to the 20th century, but the accuracy cannot be validated. Summers are generally warm and sometimes hot, the heat being boosted by the urban heat island effect making the centre of London at times 5 °C (9 °F) warmer than the suburbs and outskirts. London's average July high is 24 °C (75.2 °F). During the 2003 European heat wave there were 14 consecutive days above 30 °C (86.0 °F) and 2 consecutive days where temperatures soared up to 38 °C (100.4 °F), leading to hundreds of heat related deaths. Rain generally occurs on around 2 out of 10 summer days. Spring and Autumn are mixed seasons and can be pleasant. On 1 October 2011, the air temperature attained 30 °C (86.0 °F) and in April 2011 it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F). However in recent years both of these months have also had snowfall. Temperature extremes range from −10 °C (14.0 °F) to 37.9 °C (100.2 °F). [hide]Climate data for London (Greenwich) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 14.0 (57.2) 19.7 (67.5) 21.0 (69.8) 26.9 (80.4) 31.0 (87.8) 35.0 (95) 35.5 (95.9) 37.5 (99.5) 30.0 (86) 28.8 (83.8) 19.9 (67.8) 15.0 (59) 37.5 (99.5) Average high °C (°F) 8.3 (46.9) 8.5 (47.3) 11.4 (52.5) 14.2 (57.6) 17.7 (63.9) 20.7 (69.3) 23.2 (73.8) 22.9 (73.2) 20.1 (68.2) 15.6 (60.1) 11.4 (52.5) 8.6 (47.5) 15.2 (59.4) Average low °C (°F) 2.6 (36.7) 2.4 (36.3) 4.1 (39.4) 5.4 (41.7) 8.4 (47.1) 11.5 (52.7) 13.9 (57) 13.7 (56.7) 11.2 (52.2) 8.3 (46.9) 5.1 (41.2) 2.8 (37) 7.5 (45.5) Record low °C (°F) −10.0 (14) −9.0 (15.8) −8.0 (17.6) −2.0 (28.4) −1.0 (30.2) 5.0 (41) 7.0 (44.6) 6.0 (42.8) 3.0 (37.4) −4.0 (24.8) −5.0 (23) −7.0 (19.4) −10.0 (14) Precipitation mm (inches) 51.6 (2.031) 38.2 (1.504) 40.5 (1.594) 45.0 (1.772) 46.5 (1.831) 47.3 (1.862) 41.1 (1.618) 51.6 (2.031) 50.4 (1.984) 68.8 (2.709) 58.0 (2.283) 53.0 (2.087) 591.8 (23.299) Avg. rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) 10.8 8.5 9.6 9.4 9.0 8.3 8.0 7.6 8.5 10.7 10.1 9.9 110.4 Avg. snowy days 4 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 16 % humidity 91 89 91 90 92 92 93 95 96 95 93 91 92.3 Mean monthly sunshine hours 49.9 71.4 107.1 159.8 181.2 181.0 192.1 195.1 138.9 108.1 58.5 37.4 1,480.5 Source #1: Record highs and lows from BBC Weather,[119] except August and February maximum from Met Office[120][121] Source #2: All other data from Met Office,[122] except for humidity and snow data which are from NOAA[123] [show]Climate data for London (Heathrow airport 1981−2010) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average high °C (°F) 8.1 (46.6) 8.4 (47.1) 11.3 (52.3) 14.2 (57.6) 17.9 (64.2) 21.0 (69.8) 23.5 (74.3) 23.2 (73.8) 19.9 (67.8) 15.5 (59.9) 11.1 (52) 8.3 (46.9) 15.2 (59.4) Average low °C (°F) 2.3 (36.1) 2.1 (35.8) 3.9 (39) 5.5 (41.9) 8.7 (47.7) 11.7 (53.1) 13.9 (57) 13.7 (56.7) 11.4 (52.5) 8.4 (47.1) 4.9 (40.8) 2.7 (36.9) 7.4 (45.4) Precipitation mm (inches) 55.2 (2.173) 40.9 (1.61) 41.6 (1.638) 43.7 (1.72) 49.4 (1.945) 45.1 (1.776) 44.5 (1.752) 49.5 (1.949) 49.1 (1.933) 68.5 (2.697) 59.0 (2.323) 55.2 (2.173) 601.7 (23.689) Avg. rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) 11.1 8.5 9.3 9.1 8.8 8.2 7.7 7.5 8.1 10.8 10.3 10.2 109.6 Mean monthly sunshine hours 61.5 77.9 114.6 168.7 198.5 204.3 212.0 204.7 149.3 116.5 72.6 52.0 1,632.6 Source: Met Office[124] DistrictsMain article: List of districts of London The City of London and the 32 London boroughs 1.City of London 2.City of Westminster 3.Kensington and Chelsea 4.Hammersmith and Fulham 5.Wandsworth 6.Lambeth 7.Southwark 8.Tower Hamlets 9.Hackney 10.Islington 11.Camden 12.Brent 13.Ealing 14.Hounslow 15.Richmond 16.Kingston 17.Merton 18.Sutton 19.Croydon 20.Bromley 21.Lewisham 22.Greenwich 23.Bexley 24.Havering 25.Barking and Dagenham 26.Redbridge 27.Newham 28.Waltham Forest 29.Haringey 30.Enfield 31.Barnet 32.Harrow 33.Hillingdon London's vast urban area is often described using a set of district names, such as Bloomsbury, Mayfair, Wembley and Whitechapel. These are either informal designations, reflect the names of villages that have been absorbed by sprawl, or are superseded administrative units such as parishes or former boroughs. Such names have remained in use through tradition, each referring to a local area with its own distinctive character, but without official boundaries. Since 1965 Greater London has been divided into 32 London boroughs in addition to the ancient City of London.[125][126] The City of London is the main financial district,[127] and Canary Wharf has recently developed into a new financial and commercial hub in the Docklands to the east. The West End is London's main entertainment and shopping district, attracting tourists.[128] West London includes expensive residential areas where properties can sell for tens of millions of pounds.[129] The average price for properties in Kensington and Chelsea is £894,000 with similar average outlay in most of central London.[130] The East End is the area closest to the original Port of London, known for its high immigrant population, as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London.[131] The surrounding East London area saw much of London's early industrial development; now, brownfield sites throughout the area are being redeveloped as part of the Thames Gateway including the London Riverside and Lower Lea Valley, which was developed into the Olympic Park for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.[131] ArchitectureMain articles: Architecture of London and List of tallest buildings and structures in London The Tower, with Tower Bridge built 800 years later on the River Thames 30 St Mary Axe, also known as the Gherkin, towers over St Andrew UndershaftLondon's buildings are too diverse to be characterised by any particular architectural style, partly because of their varying ages. Many grand houses and public buildings, such as the National Gallery, are constructed from Portland stone. Some areas of the city, particularly those just west of the centre, are characterised by white stucco or whitewashed buildings. Few structures in central London pre-date the Great Fire of 1666, these being a few trace Roman remains, the Tower of London and a few scattered Tudor survivors in the City. Further out is, for example, the Tudor period Hampton Court Palace, England's oldest surviving Tudor palace, built by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey c. 1515.[132] Wren's late 17th-century churches and the financial institutions of the 18th and 19th centuries such as the Royal Exchange and the Bank of England, to the early 20th century Old Bailey and the 1960s Barbican Estate form part of the varied architectural heritage. Three icons: Big Ben clock tower with a red telephone box and London double-decker bus in frontThe disused, but soon to be rejuvenated, 1939 Battersea Power Station by the river in the south-west is a local landmark, while some railway termini are excellent examples of Victorian architecture, most notably St. Pancras and Paddington.[133] The density of London varies, with high employment density in the central area, high residential densities in inner London and lower densities in Outer London. The Monument in the City of London provides views of the surrounding area while commemorating the Great Fire of London, which originated nearby. Marble Arch and Wellington Arch, at the north and south ends of Park Lane respectively, have royal connections, as do the Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall in Kensington. Nelson's Column is a nationally recognised monument in Trafalgar Square, one of the focal points of the city centre. Older buildings are mainly brick built, most commonly the yellow London stock brick or a warm orange-red variety, often decorated with carvings and white plaster mouldings.[134] Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarchIn the dense areas, most of the concentration is via medium- and high-rise buildings. London's skyscrapers such as 30 St Mary Axe, Tower 42, the Broadgate Tower and One Canada Square are mostly in the two financial districts, the City of London and Canary Wharf. High-rise development is restricted at certain sites if it would obstruct protected views of St Paul's Cathedral and other historic buildings. Nevertheless there are a number of very tall skyscrapers in central London (see Tall buildings in London), including the 72-storey Shard London Bridge, the tallest building in the European Union. Other notable modern buildings include City Hall in Southwark with its distinctive oval shape,[135] and the British Library in Somers Town/Kings Cross. What was formerly the Millennium Dome, by the Thames to the east of Canary Wharf, is now an entertainment venue called The O2 Arena. Parks and gardensMain articles: Parks and open spaces in London and Royal Parks of London See also: List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Greater London and List of Local Nature Reserves in Greater London Aerial view of Hyde ParkThe largest parks in the central area of London are three of the Royal Parks, namely Hyde Park and its neighbour Kensington Gardens at the western edge of central London, and Regent's Park on the northern edge.[136] Regent's Park contains London Zoo, the world's oldest scientific zoo, and is near the tourist attraction of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.[137][138] Closer to central London are the smaller Royal Parks of Green Park and St. James's Park.[139] Hyde Park in particular is popular for sports and sometimes hosts open-air concerts. A number of large parks lie outside the city centre, including the remaining Royal Parks of Greenwich Park to the south-east[140] and Bushy Park and Richmond Park (the largest) to the south-west,[141][142] as well as Victoria Park, London to the east. Primrose Hill to the north of Regent's Park is a popular spot to view the city skyline. Some more informal, semi-natural open spaces also exist, including the 320-hectare (790-acre) Hampstead Heath of North London.[143] This incorporates Kenwood House, the former stately home and a popular location in the summer months where classical musical concerts are held by the lake, attracting thousands of people every weekend to enjoy the music, scenery and fireworks.[144] DemographyMain article: Demographics of London 2011 United Kingdom Census[145] Country of birth Population United Kingdom 5,175,677 India 262,247 Poland 158,300 Ireland 129,807 Nigeria 114,718 Pakistan 112,457 Bangladesh 109,948 Jamaica 87,467 Sri Lanka 84,542 France 66,654 South Africa 66,654 Kenya 66,311 Somalia 65,333 United States 63,920 Italy 62,050 Ghana 62,896 Turkey 59,596 Germany 55,476 Australia 53,959 Romania 44,848 Philippines 44,199 Portugal 41,041 Lithuania 39,817 China 39,452 Iran 37,339 Spain 35,880 Hong Kong 26,435 Zimbabwe 21,039 With increasing industrialisation, London's population grew rapidly throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it was for some time in the late 19th and early 20th centuries the most populous city in the world until overtaken by New York City in 1925. Its population peaked at 8,615,245 in 1939 immediately before the outbreak of the Second World War, but had declined to 7,192,091 at the 2001 Census. However, the population then grew by just over a million between the 2001 and 2011 Censuses, to reach 8,173,941 in the latter enumeration. However, London's continuous urban area extends beyond the borders of Greater London and was home to 9,787,426 people in 2011,[3] while its wider metropolitan area has a population of between 12 and 14 million depending on the definition used.[146][147] According to Eurostat, London is the most populous city and metropolitan area of the European Union and the second most populous in Europe (or third if Istanbul is included). During the period 1991–2001 a net 726,000 immigrants arrived in London.[148] The region covers an area of 1,579 square kilometres (610 sq mi). The population density is 5,177 inhabitants per square kilometre (13,410 /sq mi),[149] more than ten times that of any other British region.[150] In terms of population, London is the 19th largest city and the 18th largest metropolitan region in the world. It is also ranked 4th in the world in number of billionaires (United States Dollars) residing in the city.[151] London ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world, alongside Tokyo and Moscow.[152] Ethnic groupsMain article: Ethnic groups in London According to the Office for National Statistics, based on the 2011 Census estimates, 59.8 per cent of the 8,173,941 inhabitants of London were White, with 44.9 per cent White British, 2.2 per cent White Irish, 0.1 per cent gypsy/Irish traveller and 12.1 per cent classified as Other White. 20.9 per cent of Londoners are of Asian and mixed-Asian descent. 19.7 per cent are of full Asian descent, with those of mixed-Asian heritage comprising 1.2 of the population. Indians account for 6.6 per cent of the population, followed by Pakistanis and Bangladeshis at 2.7 per cent each. Chinese peoples account for 1.5 per cent of the population, with Arabs comprising 1.3 per cent. A further 4.9 per cent are classified as "Other Asian". 15.6 per cent of London's population are of Black and mixed-Black descent. 13.3 per cent are of full Black descent, with those of mixed-Black heritage comprising 2.3 per cent. Black Africans account for 7.0 per cent of London's population, with 4.2 per cent as Black Caribbean and 2.1 per cent as "Other Black". 5.0 per cent are of mixed race. Across London, Black and Asian children outnumber White British children by about six to four in state schools.[153] However, White children represented 62 per cent of London's 1,498,700 population aged 0 to 15, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics from 2009, with 55.7 per cent of the population aged 0 to 15 being White British, 0.7 per cent White Irish and 5.6 per cent from other EU White backgrounds.[154] In January 2005, a survey of London's ethnic and religious diversity claimed that there were more than 300 languages spoken in London and more than 50 non-indigenous communities with a population of more than 10,000.[155] Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that, in 2010[update], London's foreign-born population was 2,650,000 (33 per cent), up from 1,630,000 in 1997. The 2011 census showed that 36.7 per cent of Greater London's population were born outside the UK.[156] The table to the right shows the 20 most common foreign countries of birth of London residents in 2011, the date of the last published UK Census.[145] A portion of the German-born population are likely to be British nationals born to parents serving in the British Armed Forces in Germany.[157] Estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics indicate that the five largest foreign-born groups living in London in the period July 2009 to June 2010 were those born in India, Poland, the Republic of Ireland, Bangladesh and Nigeria.[158] ReligionMain article: Religion in London Religion in London (2011 census)[159] Religion Per cent Christian 48.4% No religion 20.7% Muslim 12.4% Religion not stated 8.5% Hindu 5.0% Jewish 1.8% Sikh 1.5% Buddhist 1.0% Other 0.6% According to the 2011 Census, the largest religious groupings are Christians (48.4 per cent), followed by those of no religion (20.7 per cent), Muslims (12.4 per cent), no response (8.5 per cent), Hindus (5.0 per cent), Jews (1.8 per cent), Sikhs (1.5 per cent), Buddhists (1.0 per cent) and other (0.6 per cent). London has traditionally been Christian, and has a large number of churches, particularly in the City of London. The well-known St Paul's Cathedral in the City and Southwark Cathedral south of the river are Anglican administrative centres,[160] while the Archbishop of Canterbury, principal bishop of the Church of England and worldwide Anglican Communion, has his main residence at Lambeth Palace in the London Borough of Lambeth.[161] Important national and royal ceremonies are shared between St Paul's and Westminster Abbey.[162] The Abbey is not to be confused with nearby Westminster Cathedral, which is the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in England and Wales.[163] Despite the prevalence of Anglican churches, observance is very low within the Anglican denomination. Church attendance continues on a long, slow, steady decline, according to Church of England statistics.[164] St Paul's CathedralLondon is also home to sizeable Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish communities. Many Muslims live in Tower Hamlets and Newham; the most important Muslim edifice is London Central Mosque on the edge of Regent's Park.[165] Following the oil boom, increasing numbers of wealthy Middle-Eastern Muslims have based themselves around Mayfair and Knightsbridge in west London.[166][167] London is home to the largest mosque in western Europe, the Baitul Futuh Mosque, of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. London's large Hindu community is in the north-western boroughs of Harrow and Brent, the latter of which is home to Europe's largest Hindu temple, Neasden Temple.[168] London is also home to 42 Hindu temples. There are Sikh communities in East and West London, particularly in Southall, home to one of the largest Sikh populations and the largest Sikh temple outside India.[169] The majority of British Jews live in London, with significant Jewish communities in Stamford Hill, Stanmore, Golders Green, Finchley, Hampstead, Hendon and Edgware in North London. Bevis Marks Synagogue in the City of London is affiliated to London's historic Sephardic Jewish community. It is the only synagogue in Europe which has held regular services continuously for over 300 years. Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has the largest membership of any single Orthodox synagogue in the whole of Europe, overtaking Ilford synagogue (also in London) in 1998.[170] The community set up the London Jewish Forum in 2006 in response to the growing significance of devolved London Government.[171] EconomyMain articles: Economy of London and Media in London The City of London is one of the largest financial centres in the world[14][16]London generates approximately 20 per cent of the UK's GDP[172] (or $446 billion in 2005); while the economy of the London metropolitan area—the largest in Europe—generates approximately 30 per cent of the UK's GDP (or an estimated $669 billion in 2005).[173] London is one of the pre-eminent financial centres of the world and vies with New York City as the most important location for international finance.[174][175] London's largest industry is finance, and its financial exports make it a large contributor to the UK's balance of payments. Around 325,000 people were employed in financial services in London until mid-2007. London has over 480 overseas banks, more than any other city in the world. Over 85% (3.2 million) of the employed population of greater London works in the services industries. Because of its prominent global role, London's economy has been affected by the Late-2000s financial crisis. The City of London estimates that 70,000 jobs in finance will be cut within a year.[176] The City of London is home to the Bank of England, London Stock Exchange, and Lloyd's of London insurance market. Over half of the UK's top 100 listed companies (the FTSE 100) and over 100 of Europe's 500 largest companies have their headquarters in central London. Over 70 per cent of the FTSE 100 are within London's metropolitan area, and 75 per cent of Fortune 500 companies have offices in London.[177] Canary Wharf is a major business and financial centre and is home to some of the UK's tallest buildingsAlong with professional services, media companies are concentrated in London and the media distribution industry is London's second most competitive sector.[178] The BBC is a significant employer, while other broadcasters also have headquarters around the City. Many national newspapers are edited in London. London is a major retail centre and in 2010 had the highest non-food retail sales of any city in the world, with a total spend of around £64.2 billion.[179] The Port of London is the second-largest in the United Kingdom, handling 45 million tonnes of cargo each year.[180] London has five major business districts: the City, Westminster, Canary Wharf, Camden & Islington and Lambeth & Southwark. One way to get an idea of their relative importance is to look at relative amounts of office space: Greater London had 27 million m2 of office space in 2001, and the City contains the most space, with 8 million m2 of office space. London has some of the highest real estate prices in the world.[181][182] A growing number of technology companies are based in London notably in East London Tech City, also known as Silicon Roundabout. The city will be among the first to receive a geoTLD, in spring or summer 2014.[183] In February 2014 London was ranked as the European City of the Future [184] in the 2014/15 list by FDi Magazine.[185] TourismMain article: Tourism in London The Natural History MuseumLondon is a popular centre for tourism, one of its prime industries, employing the equivalent of 350,000 full-time workers in 2003,[186] while annual expenditure by tourists is around £15 billion.[187] London attracts over 14 million international visitors per year, making it Europe's most visited city.[188] London attracts 27 million overnight-stay visitors every year.[189] In 2010 the ten most-visited attractions in London were:[190] 1.British Museum 2.Tate Modern 3.National Gallery 4.Natural History Museum 5.London Eye 6.Science Museum 7.Victoria and Albert Museum 8.Madame Tussauds 9.National Maritime Museum 10.Tower of London TransportMain articles: Transport in London and Infrastructure in London A black London taxi, also known as a hackney carriage.Transport is one of the four main areas of policy administered by the Mayor of London,[191] however the mayor's financial control does not extend to the longer distance rail network that enters London. In 2007 he assumed responsibility for some local lines, which now form the London Overground network, adding to the existing responsibility for the London Underground, trams and buses. The public transport network is administered by Transport for London (TfL) and is one of the most extensive in the world. Cycling is an increasingly popular way to get around London. The London Cycling Campaign lobbies for better provision.[192] The lines that formed the London Underground, as well as trams and buses, became part of an integrated transport system in 1933 when the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) or London Transport was created. Transport for London (TfL), is now the statutory corporation responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London, and is run by a board and a commissioner appointed by the Mayor of London.[193] Air Heathrow (Terminal 5 pictured) is the busiest airport in the world for international traffic.[194][195]London is a major international air transport hub with the largest city airspace in the world. Eight airports use the word London in their name, but most traffic passes through six of these. London Heathrow Airport, in Hillingdon, West London, is the busiest airport in the world for international traffic, and is the major hub of the nation's flag carrier, British Airways.[196] In March 2008 its fifth terminal was opened.[197] There were plans for a third runway and a sixth terminal however these were cancelled by the Coalition Government on 12 May 2010.[198] In September 2011 a personal rapid transit system was opened at Heathrow to connect to a nearby car park.[199] Similar traffic, with some cheap short-haul flights, is also handled at Gatwick Airport, south of London in West Sussex.[200] Stansted Airport, north east of London in Essex, is a local UK hub and Luton Airport to the north of London in Bedfordshire, caters mostly for cheap short-haul flights.[201][202] London City Airport, the smallest and most central airport, in Newham, East London, is focused on business travellers, with a mixture of full service short-haul scheduled flights and considerable business jet traffic.[203] London Southend Airport, east of London in Essex, is a smaller, regional airport that mainly caters for cheap short-haul flights. It recently went through a large redevelopment project including a brand new terminal, extended runway and a new railway station offering fast links into the capital. Buses and trams The red double-decker bus is an iconic symbol of LondonLondon's bus network is one of the largest in the world, running 24 hours a day, with approximately 8,500 buses, more than 700 bus routes and around 19,500 bus stops.[204] In 2013, the network had more than 2 billion commuter trips per annum, more than the Underground.[204] Around £850 million is taken in revenue each year. London has the largest wheelchair accessible network in the world[205] and, from the 3rd quarter of 2007, became more accessible to hearing and visually impaired passengers as audio-visual announcements were introduced. The distinctive red double-decker buses are an internationally recognised trademark of London transport along with black cabs and the Tube.[206][207] London has a modern tram network, known as Tramlink, based in Croydon in South London. The network has 39 stops and four routes, and carried 28 million people in 2013.[208] Since June 2008 Transport for London has completely owned Tramlink, and it plans to spend £54m by 2015 on maintenance, renewals, upgrades and capacity enhancements. Since April 2009 all trams have been refurbished.[209] Cable carMain article: Emirates Air Line (cable car) London's first and only cable car, known as the Emirates Air Line opened in June 2012. Crossing the River Thames, linking Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks in the east of the city, the cable car is integrated with London's Oyster Card ticketing system. CyclingMain article: Cycling in London Barclays Cycle Hire docking station in Southwark StreetCycling in London has enjoyed a renaissance since the turn of the Millennium. Cyclists enjoy a cheaper, and often quicker, way around town than those using public transport or cars, and the launch of the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme in July 2010 has been successful and generally well received. Port and river boatsFrom being the largest port in the world, the Port of London is now only the second-largest in the United Kingdom, handling 45 million tonnes of cargo each year.[180] Most of this actually passes through the Port of Tilbury, outside the boundary of Greater London. London also has frequent river boat services on the Thames known as Thames Clippers. These run up to every 20 minutes between Embankment Pier and North Greenwich Pier. The Woolwich Ferry, with 2.5 million passengers every year,[210] is a frequent service linking the North and South Circular Roads. Other operators also run both commuter and tourist boat services in London. RailUnderground and DLR The London Underground is the world's oldest and second-longest rapid transit systemThe London Underground — all of which is now commonly referred to as the Tube, though originally this designation referred only to the deep-level lines, as distinct from the sub-surface lines — is the oldest,[211] and second longest[36] metro system in the world, dating from 1863. The system serves 270 stations[212] and was formed from several private companies, including the world's first underground electric line, the City and South London Railway.[213] Over three million journeys are made every day on the Underground network, over 1 billion each year.[214] An investment programme is attempting to reduce congestion and improve reliability, including £6.5 billion (€7.7 billion) spent before the 2012 Summer Olympics.[215] London has been commended as the city with the best public transport.[216] The Docklands Light Railway, which opened in 1987, is a second, more local metro system using smaller and lighter tram-type vehicles which serve Docklands and Greenwich. SuburbanThere are 366 railway stations in the London Travelcard Zones on an extensive above-ground suburban railway network. South London, particularly has a high concentration of railways as it fewer Underground lines. London houses Britain's busiest station – Waterloo, with over 184 million people using the interchange station complex (which includes Waterloo East station) each year.[217][218] While Clapham Junction is the busiest station in Europe by the number of trains passing. Most rail lines terminate around the centre of London, running into eighteen terminal stations with the exception of the Thameslink trains connecting Bedford in the north and Brighton in the south via Luton and Gatwick airports.[219] With the need for more rail capacity in London, Crossrail is due to open in 2018. It will be a new railway line running east to west through London and into the Home Counties with a branch to Heathrow Airport.[220] It is Europe's biggest construction project, with a £15 billion projected cost.[221][222] InterCity and International St Pancras railway station is the main terminal for high speed Eurostar and HS1 services, as well as suburban Thameslink and East Midlands Trains services.London is the centre of the National Rail network, with 70% of rail journeys starting or ending in London.[223] Like suburban rail services, Regional and InterCity trains depart from several termini around the City Centre, linking London with the rest of Britain including: Cambridge, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Since 2007 high-speed Eurostar trains link St. Pancras International with Lille, Paris, and Brussels. Journey times to Paris and Brussels of two-and-a-quarter hours and one hour 50 minutes respectively make London closer to continental Europe than the rest of Britain by virtue of the High Speed 1 rail link to the Channel Tunnel[224] while the first high-speed domestic trains started in June 2009 linking Kent to London.[225] There are plans for a second high speed line between London and the West Midlands. Roads The A102, near Greenwich. This was one of the few routes proposed in the Ringways Plan within Inner London to be built.Although the majority of journeys involving central London are made by public transport, car travel is common in the suburbs. The inner ring road (around the city centre), the North and South Circular roads (in the suburbs), and the outer orbital motorway (the M25, outside the built-up area) encircle the city and are intersected by a number of busy radial routes—but very few motorways penetrate into inner London. The M25 is the longest ring-road motorway in the world at 121.5 mi (195.5 km) long.[226][227] The A1 and M1 connect London to Leeds, and Newcastle and Edinburgh. A plan for a comprehensive network of motorways throughout the city (the Ringways Plan) was prepared in the 1960s but was mostly cancelled in the early 1970s. In 2003, a congestion charge was introduced to reduce traffic volumes in the city centre. With a few exceptions, motorists are required to pay £10 per day to drive within a defined zone encompassing much of central London.[228][229] Motorists who are residents of the defined zone can buy a greatly reduced season pass which is renewed monthly and is cheaper than a corresponding bus fare.[230] London is notorious for its traffic congestion, with the M25 motorway the busiest stretch in the country. The average speed of a car in the rush hour is 10.6 mph (17.1 km/h).[231] London government initially expected the Congestion Charge Zone to increase daily peak period Underground and bus users by 20,000 people, reduce road traffic by 10 to 15 per cent, increase traffic speeds by 10 to 15 per cent, and reduce queues by 20 to 30 per cent.[232] Over the course of several years, the average number of cars entering the centre of London on a weekday was reduced from 195,000 to 125,000 cars – a 35-per-cent reduction of vehicles driven per day.[233] EducationMain article: Education in London Tertiary education The Wilkins Building at University College LondonLondon is a major centre of higher education teaching and research and its 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe.[25] In 2008/09 it had a higher education student population of around 412,000 (approximately 17 per cent of the UK total), of whom around 287,000 were registered for undergraduate degrees and 118,000 were studying at postgraduate level.[234] In 2008/09 there were around 97,150 international students in London, approximately 25 per cent of all international students in the UK.[234] A number of world-leading education institutions are based in London. In the 2013 QS World University Rankings, University College London (UCL) is ranked 4th in the world, Imperial College London 5th, and King's College London 19th.[235] The London School of Economics has been described as the world's leading social science institution for both teaching and research.[236] The London Business School is considered one of the world's leading business schools and in 2010 its MBA programme was ranked best in the world by the Financial Times.[237] With 125,000 students, the federal University of London is the largest contact teaching university in Europe.[238] It includes four large multi-faculty universities – King's College London, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway and UCL – and a number of smaller and more specialised institutions including Birkbeck, the Courtauld Institute of Art, Goldsmiths, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Institute of Education, the London Business School, the London School of Economics, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Royal Academy of Music, the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Royal Veterinary College and the School of Oriental and African Studies.[239] Members of the University of London have their own admissions procedures, and some award their own degrees. There are a number of universities in London which are outside of the University of London system, including Brunel University, City University London, Imperial College London, Kingston University, London Metropolitan University (with over 34,000 students, the largest unitary university in London),[240] London South Bank University, Middlesex University, University of the Arts London (the largest university of art, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts in Europe),[241] University of East London, the University of West London and the University of Westminster. In addition there are three international universities in London – Regent's College, Richmond University and Schiller International University. The front façade of the Royal College of MusicLondon is home to five major medical schools – Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (part of Queen Mary), King's College London School of Medicine (the largest medical school in Europe), Imperial College School of Medicine, UCL Medical School and St George's, University of London – and has a large number of affiliated teaching hospitals. It is also a major centre for biomedical research, and three of the UK's five academic health science centres are based in the city – Imperial College Healthcare, King's Health Partners and UCL Partners (the largest such centre in Europe).[242] There are a number of business schools in London, including Cass Business School (part of City University London), Hult International Business School, ESCP Europe, European Business School London, Imperial College Business School and the London Business School. London is also home to many specialist arts education institutions, including the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, the London Contemporary Dance School, RADA, the Royal College of Art, the Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban. Primary and secondary educationThe majority of primary and secondary schools in London are state schools and are controlled by the London boroughs, although there are also a number of private schools in London, including old and famous schools such as the City of London School, Harrow, St Paul's School, University College School, Highgate School and Westminster School. CultureMain article: Culture of London AccentThe London accent long ago acquired the Cockney label, which is heard both in London itself, and across the wider South East England region more generally.[243] The accent of a 21st-century 'Londoner' varies widely; what is becoming more and more common amongst the under-30s however is some fusion of Cockney with a whole array of 'ethnic' accents, in particular Caribbean, which form an accent labelled Multicultural London English (MLE).[244] Leisure and entertainmentSee also: List of annual events in London and West End theatre Piccadilly CircusWithin the City of Westminster, the entertainment district of the West End has its focus around Leicester Square, where London and world film premieres are held, and Piccadilly Circus, with its giant electronic advertisements.[245] London's theatre district is here, as are many cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants, including the city's Chinatown district (in Soho), and just to the east is Covent Garden, an area housing speciality shops. The city is the home of Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose musicals have dominated the West End theatre since the late 20th century.[246] The United Kingdom's Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Royal Opera and English National Opera are based in London and perform at the Royal Opera House, the London Coliseum, Sadler's Wells Theatre and the Royal Albert Hall as well as touring the country.[247] Harrods in KnightsbridgeIslington's 1 mile (1.6 km) long Upper Street, extending northwards from Angel, has more bars and restaurants than any other street in the United Kingdom.[248] Europe's busiest shopping area is Oxford Street, a shopping street nearly 1 mile (1.6 km) long, making it the longest shopping street in the United Kingdom. Oxford Street is home to vast numbers of retailers and department stores, including the world-famous Selfridges flagship store.[249] Knightsbridge, home to the equally renowned Harrods department store, lies to the south-west. London is home to designers Vivienne Westwood, Galliano, Stella McCartney, Manolo Blahnik, and Jimmy Choo among others; its renowned art and fashion schools make it an international centre of fashion alongside Paris, Milan, and New York City. London offers a great variety of cuisi |
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