Introduction

London is the capital of England and of the United Kingdom, the largest and most populous city in Europe, as well as the financial capital of Europe. London contributes to 17% of the UK's GDP and Inner London has the highest average salary of any European city.

The population of the historical City of London only has 7,800 inhabitants, although the Greater London has a population of 7,172,000, which is further extended to 13,945,000 for the metropolitan area. Of these 7 million people, 71% are Caucasians, 10% South Asians (Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistani), 5% black African, 5% black Caribbean, 3% mixed race and 1% Chinese. 21.8% of inhabitants were born outside the European Union.

Politically, Greater London is divided into 32 boroughs and the City of London. The current mayor of London Ken Livingstone was elected as an independent candidate in 2000, and re-elected as a member of the Labour party in 2004.

Although the City of London is the historical heart of the city, the subsequent growth of Westminster as the seat of the monarchy and government shifted the official city centre to Charring Cross (in Westminster), just north of the major government offices of Whitehall.

History

History Browse the striking events that have made London what it is today, from its Roman founding to the Norman conquest, and from the Great Fire of 1666 to becoming the capital of a vast global empire.

Trivia

Fun Facts about London A collection of interesting, amazing and little known facts about the British capital.

Attractions

Museums An extensive listing of the museums, art galleries and stately homes in London.

Top attractions in London

The City The City is the historical core of London, the dignified heir of Roman Londinium and Shakespearean London...Read more	Westminster Westminster has been the seat of the monarchy and government since the Middle Ages. It is one of London's most interesting district, with more history and sumptuous edifices per square metre than almost any other places in the country...Read more	Whitehall Stretching from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street, toward the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall is has been the seat of the British government for centuries....Read more
Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen of the United Kingdom...Read more	St James's Park & Palace Unfolding from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, St James's Park is one of London's eight Royal Parks...Read more	Mayfair & Belgravia Adjacent to St James's Park and Buckingham Palace, Mayfair and Belgravia are some of London's most upmarket neighbourhood...Read more
Tower of London London's oldest building is its hefty medieval castle, constructed immediately after the Norman Conquest of 1066...Read more	Tower Bridge One of London's most famous landmarks, the twin-towered bridged across the Thames is a testimony of London's past as the capital of a vast sea-based commercial empire...Read more

Other Sightseeing Areas

• Southark & Lambeth
• East End
• Camden Town & Hampstead
• Bloomsbury & Regent's Park
• Hyde Park, Knightsbridge & Chelsea
• Notting Hill & Holland Park
• Earl's Court, Hammersmith & Fulham
• Greenwich
• Syon Park

How to get there

How to get around

Travel Community

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