London

London is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom, located in south-east England along the River Thames. It is a major global city with strengths in finance, culture, media, education, and politics. The Greater London area contains 32 boroughs and the City of London, the historic financial district. The City has its own governance, while the Mayor of London and the London Assembly oversee the wider region through the Greater London Authority.

Historically, London was established by the Romans as Londinium in the 1st century. It grew as a commercial hub and seat of government for the kingdom. It was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666 by Sir Christopher Wren and later expanded during the 18th and 19th centuries. The city endured the Blitz in World War II and recovered in the postwar era to become a leading global financial and cultural center.

Economy: London hosts a large concentration of international banks, professional services firms, and media companies. The City of London and Canary Wharf form a major financial district. It houses the London Stock Exchange and numerous multinational headquarters.

Culture and landmarks: Major institutions include the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, and numerous theatres in the West End. Notable sites include the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge. Parks include Hyde Park and Greenwich Park.

Transport: The city has an extensive public transport network, led by the Underground, buses, and rail services. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton airports serve international and domestic travel.

Population: Greater London is home to about 9.5 million people.