London

The capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom is London. It has 9.1 million people. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England. For almost 2,000 years, London has been an important place.

The ancient center, called the City of London, was started by the Romans and named Londinium. Nearby, the City of Westminster has been the home of the national government and parliament for many years.

As a big city in the world, London affects art, culture, fashion, finance and more. London has many universities. It is the most-visited city in Europe. Famous places such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Trafalgar Square welcome millions of visitors every year. London has hosted the Summer Olympic Games three times, the last time in 2012.

Etymology

Main article: Etymology of London

The name London has been used since the first century AD. It started as Londinium in Latin. Later, it was called Lunden in Old English and Llundein in Welsh. These names came from an old Brythonic language root.

For a long time, "London" only meant the City of London. But since 1889, it has also referred to the County of London and Greater London.

History

Main article: History of London

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of London.

London has been important for almost 2,000 years. People built early bridges and big buildings along the River Thames. The Romans started the first big settlement there around AD 47, and called it Londinium. This place grew and became a key city in the Roman province of Britannia.

After the Romans left, London kept growing. It became a big port and a center for trade and government. In the Middle Ages, London became England’s largest city. Important buildings like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London were built then.

In more recent times, London faced challenges such as fires, diseases, and wars. But London kept growing and became the world’s largest city in the 19th century. The city built its famous underground train system and became a center for trade and culture from around the world. Today, London is one of the world’s most important global cities.

Administration

Main articles: Local government in London, History of local government in London, and List of heads of London government

London has two levels of administration. The first is the Greater London Authority (GLA). It includes the mayor of London and the London Assembly. The mayor makes decisions and the Assembly checks them. The GLA manages transport through Transport for London and oversees police and fire services.

The second level has 32 local councils called London boroughs and the City of London Corporation. These councils take care of local services such as schools, libraries, and social services. The London Fire Brigade provides fire services, and the National Health Service runs ambulance services. The Metropolitan Police handles most policing.

Geography

Main article: Geography of London

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. It is on the River Thames in southeast England. The city has been important for almost 2,000 years.

Greater London has many different areas. The City of London is the old center, and the city has grown into many suburbs. London is split into Inner and Outer London, and the River Thames divides it into North and South. Central London is the busy middle of the city.

London has many kinds of buildings, from old churches to tall modern buildings. Some famous places are the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square. The city also has lovely parks and green spaces where birds, foxes, and deer live.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of London

London is a big city with many people. In 2025, about 15.1 million people lived in the area around London. The city itself had over 9 million people. Many people from other countries live in London, so it is a very mixed place. In 2021, almost 41% of people in London were born outside the UK.

Main article: Ethnic groups in London

People in London come from many different places. In 2021, about 54% of Londoners identified as White, 21% as Asian, and 14% as Black. London is home to many languages and cultures, with over 300 languages spoken in the city. The most common languages besides English are Romanian, Spanish, Polish, Bengali, and Portuguese.

Main article: Religion in London

See also: List of churches in London

London has people who follow many different religions. The largest group is Christians, making up about 41% of the population. Other groups include people with no religion (21%), Muslims (15%), and Hindus (5%). There are also communities of Jews, Sikhs, and Buddhists. London has many important religious buildings, including St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Westminster Cathedral.

There are also many different accents in London. Cockney is an accent from East London, while Estuary English is a mix between Cockney and standard British English. Multicultural London English is spoken by young people from different backgrounds, mixing elements of Cockney and other languages.

Economy

Main article: Economy of London

London is a very important city for work and money. Its economy is worth a lot and makes up a big part of the United Kingdom. The city has five big areas where many businesses operate: the City, Westminster, Canary Wharf, Camden & Islington, and Lambeth & Southwark. London also has some of the most expensive places to buy or rent property in the world.

London is especially famous for its finance industry, centered around the City of London and Canary Wharf. Many bankers moved to London a long time ago, helping it become a major financial hub. Today, London is one of the top financial cities globally. It is home to the Bank of England, the London Stock Exchange, and Lloyd's of London insurance market. Many big companies have their main offices in London.

Main article: Media in London

London is also a key place for media and technology. Big media companies like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Sky have their main offices there. Many national newspapers are edited in London, and the area known as Fleet Street is famous for its press. The city is also a major technology hub, especially in East London Tech City, known as Silicon Roundabout. London is the third largest game development center in the world.

Main article: Tourism in London

London is one of the world's top tourist destinations. It attracts millions of visitors each year, who spend money and help the city's economy. In 2024, nine of the ten most-visited attractions in the UK were in London, with the British Museum being the most popular. The city has many hotels and is expected to have even more in the future.

Transport

Main article: Transport in London

Transport is managed by the Mayor of London. The mayor looks after the London Underground, trams, and buses, with help from Transport for London. The London Overground started in 2007.

London has many ways to travel. The London Underground opened in 1863 and is the oldest metro system in the world. It has many stations and lots of people use it each day. There are also railways with many stations, including busy places like Waterloo. The Elizabeth line opened in 2022 and connects different parts of the city.

Buses are popular in London, especially the red double-decker buses. There are trams in South London. Cars are common in the suburbs, but the city has ways to manage traffic, like a congestion charge. Other ways to get around include the London Cable Car, which goes over the River Thames, and many people like to cycle in the city.

Education

Main article: Education in London

London is a big place for learning and studying. It has many great schools and universities. Some of the most famous are Imperial College London and University College London. The city is also home to the London School of Economics, where people study economics and social sciences.

London has lots of schools for younger students, both public and private. It is also a center for important science groups. The Royal Society in London is one of the oldest science groups in the world.

Culture

Main article: Culture of London

London is a lively place for culture and fun. It is one of the world's fashion centers and a big spot for film, theatre, and comedy shows. The West End is known for its theatres, especially near Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. This area also has London's Chinatown and has hosted the world's longest-running play, The Mousetrap, since 1952.

London has many places to shop, from busy Oxford Street to special food areas like Brick Lane for Bangladeshi food and Chinatown for Chinese food. The city holds many yearly events, such as the New Year's Day Parade and the colorful Notting Hill Carnival.

London has been a setting for many famous books and films. Writers like William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Virginia Woolf lived and wrote in London. Film fans can visit studios and cinemas, including the large BFI IMAX on the South Bank.

The city loves music, from classical shows at places like the Royal Albert Hall to modern concerts at venues such as the O₂ Arena. London has been home to many music styles, including punk music and drum and bass.

Recreation

Main articles: Parks and open spaces in London and Royal Parks of London

See also: List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Greater London and List of local nature reserves in Greater London

London has many parks and green spaces. It is one of the greenest cities in Europe. Some famous parks are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Regent's Park. Regent's Park has the London Zoo, which is a very old zoo. Other popular places are Kew Gardens, with many plants, and Richmond Park, a big park.

London is also good for walking. Trails like the Thames Path and Epping Forest let you explore nature in the city. Whether you want a short walk or a longer hike, London has many choices.

Sport

Main article: Sport in London

See also: Football in London and Rugby union in London

London is a very important city for sports. It has hosted the Summer Olympics three times, more than any other city. Many people in London enjoy watching and playing football, with several top teams based there. The city also loves rugby, tennis, and cricket. The famous Wimbledon Tennis Championships happen every year in a suburb called Wimbledon. London has many places to watch sports, like Wembley Stadium, which can hold tens of thousands of fans. Other popular events in London include the London Marathon and the University Boat Race.

Notable people

Main article: Lists of people from London

London has been home to many famous people throughout history. The city has produced writers, actors, scientists, and leaders who have influenced the world. Because of its long history and large population, London remains an important place for people to live, work, and create.