London Introduction

City Introduction

London, the capital of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (abbreviated to UK), is the largest city in Europe and one of the major financial centers in the world. Pictured above is the River Thames which flows through the heart of London and forms a natural divide between the northern and southern parts of the city. Not only is London the political and economic center of the UK, for many London represents the best of classic British Culture. Taking the famous Trafalgar Square as a starting point, attractions such as Buckingham Palace, the Elizabeth Tower, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Downing Street and Oxford Street are within close proximity

Thousands of years of cultural heritage makes London one of the world’s oldest cities and allows London to be both a traditional and modern international metropolis. Every corner of the city is dotted with historical monuments from different eras, going as far back to the times of ancient Rome, and gives London a unique feel of combining the very oldest monuments with the very newest developments.London is a diverse metropolis with many people from all over the world, making London a melting pot of race, religion, and culture.

History

London has around 2000 years of history and was the ancient capital of successive empires. Originally a Celtic town, Roman invaders established a port on the River Thames around the year 50 AD. After the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, Londinium was abandoned before the Anglo-Saxons subsequently moved here by sea and established a town named Lundenwic. In the 9th and 10th centuries, the city was once again revived and played a major role during the Anglo-Saxon era.

By the 17th century, London was already the largest city in the British Empire and in Europe due to the gradual development and expansion in previous centuries. In 1666, the Great Fire of London destroyed many buildings in the city and led to the subsequent 10-year reconstruction plan to rebuild London. St Paul’s Cathedral was amongst the many iconic buildings that were constructed during this period.

Some of the more recent changes to London’s buildings were a result of World War II, during which many buildings were once again destroyed. Following the war, the reconstruction plan for London was not well-integrated and resulted in the diversification and variation in buildings which has since become a unique feature of London. In the summer of 2012, this world-class city held an unprecedented third Olympic Games when, once again, the unique charm of England was on display for the whole world to see.

Natural Environment

The River Thames flows through the entirety of Greater London, passing through many different cultures and lifestyles along its twisty route before eventually flowing into the North Sea.  Given the long history of the river, it is no surprise that the Thames has provided inspiration for many writers and artists alike throughout the years and continues to do so to the present day.

London was once famous for being the world’s "City of Fog" after the great smog in 1952 which had a lasting effect on the city’s inhabitants. Subsequently legislature has been put in place which has successfully transformed London’s environment, and today those in London can enjoy blue skies, white clouds and fresh air all year round.

Climate

The climate in London is relatively mild in the winter and cool in the summer making the weather fairly comfortable weather all year round. The average temperature is below 30 degree centigrade in the summer and above 0 degree centigrade in the winter. The weather in London can change quickly and is often unpredictable so bringing both umbrellas and sunglasses are often advised before going out.

The most appropriate season for tourism in London in is from June to August. During this time, there is often abundant sunshine and it is arguably the most dynamic season in London with there being many colorful activities held in London during this time.

Holidays

New Year: January 1

Good Friday: the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday

Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday

Christmas Day: December 25

Boxing Day: December 26