London is the capital and the largest city of the UK. Its population is about 8.5 million.

London is the country's main industrial and financial centre.

London is also one of the largest ports in the UK. Besides, London is a great educational and
cultural centre.

Traditionally London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and
the East End.

The heart of London is the City. There are a lot of banks, offices and firms there.

The City is famous for its oldest part, the Tower of London. For many centuries the Tower
has been a fortress.

But at various periods of history it was also used as a Royal Palace, a prison, a royal
treasury, a mint, an arsenal, a Royal observatory and even a Royal Zoo.

It is now a museum of arms and armour and as one of the strongest fortresses in Britain.
The Tower is guarded by the famous "Beefeaters". There is a legend that if the ravens
disappear, the British monarchy will fall.

St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in the world. It is a beautiful
building with many columns and towers.

The magnificent classical structure is crowned by the dome. Here too is the famous
Whispering Gallery.

Westminster is now the political centre of London. The Palace of Westminster is among the
world's most famous buildings. It houses the British Parliament.

The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as "Big
Ben".
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen. London's most popular spectacle
is the Changing of the Guard. It takes place in the forecourt and lasts about 30 minutes.

The West End is the name given to the area of central London which includes the main
shopping areas and the entertainment centres.

Trafalgar Square is considered to be the geographical centre of London. It was laid out in
memory of Lord Nelson's great victory of 1805.

There are a lot of museums and galleries in London. On the north side of Trafalgar Square
there is the National Gallery. The biggest museum in London is the British Museum.

Madam Tussaud's. It is the world famous waxworks established in London in 1833. Here
you can get a great chance to meet and be photographed with your own personal hero.

The British Museum. This splendid museum is a temple to the arts and achievements of the
world's civilizations.
It comprises Greek and Roman antiquities, prehistoric and Romano-British antiquities, the
richest collections of ancient Egyptian art.

Whitehall. This street links Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square and is known for its
concentration of government offices and historic buildings, such as the Ministry of Defense,
Home Office, the Treasury and the Cenotaph.

Hyde Park. This place is very popular. Many English kings used it as a deer park and royal
hunting ground. Later, this place became a popular venue for public meetings.

Piccadilly Circus. By day, this square is the centre of the West End shopping, at night it is a
blaze of colour form the huge neon advertisements. It is a great attraction to tourists who
are drawn to it perhaps by the statue of Eros, the God of Love.

The Cenotaph. It was set up to commemorate those who died in the two world wars. Once
a year this monument becomes the focal point where the nation honours its dead.
When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.