2017-10-31
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London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial center. It is one of the largest cities in the world (together with Tokyo and New York) and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.
London is situated on the river Thames. The city is very old. It has more than a 20ctntury-old history. Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, West-minster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other.
The City the oldest part of London, in financial and business center. Numerous banks, offices and firms are concentrated here, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live in the City but over a million come to work here. Two masterpieces are situated within the City: St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. St. Paul’s Cathedral was built in the 17th century by Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was built in the 11th century. It was used as a fortress, a palace and a prison. Now it’s a museum.
Westminster is the aristocratic official part of London. It includes Buckingham Palace where the Queen lives and the Houses of Parliament stretching for nearly 1000 feet along the north bank of the Thames.
The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as “Big Ben”. Westminster Abbey is the place where coronation of nearly all kings as well as some other famous people of the country (G. Chaucer, Tennyson, Newton, Ch. Dickens, T. Hardy, R. Kipling, etc.).
The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is a symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs, parks and houses are situated there. English aristocracy Lives in this region. One of the busiest streets in the West End is Oxford street. There are many various shops here which attract customers from different countries of the world.
Trafalgar Square is the geographical center of London. It was named in the memory of Admiral Nelson’s victory at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson’s Column stands in the middle of the square.
Opposite the Nelson monument is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. They contain the finest art collections in the world. Not far from the National Gallery is the British Museum famous for its rich library (about 7,000,000 books).
The East End is an industrial district of London. There are many factories and the Port of London there. The region is densely populated by working class families, those people who have built the palaces of the West End. Old residents of the East End are proud to be called cockneys which means true Londoners, hereditary inhabitants of the area. They love the district very much.
the Bank of England –Английский банк
the Stock Exchange – Лондонская фондовая биржа
the Old Bailey – Центральный уголовный суд, находящийся в Олд-Бейли.
