London: history, places of interest, traditional ceremonies

United Kingdom
Country – England
Region – London
Ceremonial counties – City and

Greater London
Districts - City and 32 boroughs
Settled by Romans as Londinium, c. AD 43
Headquarters - City Hall
Area - 1,572.1 km2 (607 sq mi)
Population (July 2010 est.) - 7,825,200

Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and

the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who called it Londinium. Since at least the 19th century, the name London has also referred to the metropolis developed around this core. The bulk of this conurbation forms the London region and the Greater London administrative area, governed by the elected Mayor of London and the London Assembly.

London had a population of around 60,000. By the 7th

century, the Anglo-Saxons had created a new settlement called Lundenwic over a mile upstream from the old Roman city, around what is now Covent Garden.

Although there is evidence of scattered Brythonic settlements in the area, the first major settlement was founded by the Romans in 43 AD. This lasted for just seventeen years and around 61, the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boudica stormed it, burning it to the ground. The next, heavily planned incarnation of the city prospered and superseded Colchester as the capital of the Roman province of Britannia in 100.

London, already the country's largest city and most important trading

centre, became increasingly important as a political centre, although it still faced competition from Winchester, the traditional centre of the kingdom of Wessex.

With the collapse of Roman rule in the early 5th century, London was effectively abandoned. However, from the 6th century an Anglo-Saxon settlement known as Lundenwic, rising to a likely population of 10–12,000.
In the 9th century London was repeatedly attacked by Vikings, leading to a relocation of the city back to the location of Roman Londinium, in order to use its walls for protection.

William the Conqueror, from France.
He built a castle. We know

it today as the Tower of London.
At that time, London was the biggest and most important city in England.

were 50,000 people in London.



In 1600, when Elizabeth the First

was the Queen, there were 200,000 people in London.

in rats caused the plague. More than 100,000 people died

during the Big Plague.



In 1666, there was a big fire “The Great Fire of London”. It started in a bakery. It lasted for 4 days and destroyed most of the buildings in London.

cathedral was built by Sir Christpher Wren 1675- 1711

the most important countries in the world and London was

its the most important city.

Some Londoners were rich and they built some of the most beautiful houses. Many of them are still standing today. But, there were also many poor people in London.

monarchs in British history.
At that time many railways were built.

People could travel by train.
In 1851 there was the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. More than 6 million people came to the wonderful exhibits.
In 1863, world first underground train began to run in London.

destroyed many buildings in London, but they didn’t destroy St

Paul’s Cathedral. Now, London has some of the world’s most exciting new buildings.
Today people from all over the world live in London, where you can hear about 300 different languages.

About 300 people work here. Heads of governments and royal

visitors from around the world meet the Queen here.

In August and September you can visit some of the rooms in the palace and some of the gardens.

soldiers change the guard at Buckigham Palace. It takes about

thirty minutes.
Hundred of visitors come and watch it every day.

works of art from the Royal Collection.

and coaches

been home to the royal family for over 300 years

and was where Diana Princess of Wales resided. It is in Hyde Park.

train from London. There, you can visit Windsor Castle, the

largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. She goes there at the weekends.

the River Thames in southwest London.

the Queen’s birthday with a big parade: The Trooping of

the Colour.

government begins to work for the year.

the best known annual events in London, which dates back

to 1535. The Lord Mayor is that of the City of London, the historic centre of London that is now the financial district. A new Lord Mayor is appointed every year and the public parade reflects that the Lord Mayor is the most important person in London after the Queen.

now the home of the bank of England and many

other big offices.

Half a million business people work in the City; but few people live there. One of the most popular buildings is known as “the Gherkin”.

In the past it was a palace and a prison.

It was built by William, the Conqueror, around 1078. It is made up of 11 towers. At the centre is the white tower.
Some famous prisoners at the tower were Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry, the 8th. Elizabeth 1st was also a prisoner in the tower.
Today you can visit the Tower. You can see the Crown Jewel and visit the Bloody Tower.

There are 36 Yeoman Warders, or Beefeaters at the Tower. They tell the visitors about the Tower and its famous people

go up the river, the centre of the bridge opens

Its dome is 110 metres high. The two bells in

the tower are called Great Paul and Great Tom, which rings when a king or queen dies.

The Monument, a building 60 metres high, is also in the city. It was built to remember the Great London Fire. It is near Pudding Lane, where the fire started.

the south of Trafalgar Square. Most of the buildings in

this road are government officies.
The Prime Minister lives at 10, Dowing Street.
There are always two soldiers on horses outside Horse Guard Parade.

Kings and queens always have their coronation here- from the

time of William the Conqueror. Lots of important people, writers, scientists, queen and kings are buried here.

home of the British Goverment. The clock high up in

the Tower is called Big Ben; but really Big Ben is the bell in the clock.

to the river: you can walk along the river, go

across its many bridges, or go in boat to see London from the river.

the 17th century. It is a beautiful park. You can

walk or sit under the trees. There is a lake in the centre, called the Serpentine.
People come to the Speaker’s Corner to tell the world about politics, religions. Some people come to listen.

Kensington Gardens is next to Hyde Park. Here you can see a statue of Peter Pan. There is also a playground called the Diana, Princess of Wales playground.

Zoo. It opened in 1828. There is also a theatre

in the park. On summer’s evenings you can watch plays by Shakespeare.

St James’s Park is a small park but very beautiful. It is the oldest of the Royal Park. Lots of birds live on and around the lake in the centre of the park.

Britain and the oldest museum in the world (1759). You

can learn about Greece, Rome, Egypt or Asian Cultures.

big art gallery with pictures from the 13th to the

20th century.

London (TfL) – city transport authority
Museum of London
London in British History Online, with links

to numerous authoritative online sources
Map of Early Modern London – Historical map and encyclopedia of Shakespeare's London
Материалы поисковой системы Google

- 2008
London.gov.uk – Greater London Authority
VisitLondon.com 
Transport for London (TfL)
Museum of London
London in British History

Online,
Map of Early Modern London – Historical map and encyclopedia of Shakespeare's London