Greater London

Greater London is an administrative area in England, coterminous with the London region, containing most of the continuous urban area of London. It contains 33 local government districts: the 32 London boroughs, which form a ceremonial county also called Greater London, and the City of London, which is a separate ceremonial county. The Greater London Authority is responsible for strategic local government across the region.

Greater London has a land area of 1,572 km² (607 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 9,089,736 in 2024. The area is almost entirely urbanised and contains the majority of the Greater London Built-up Area, which extends into several surrounding counties.

The River Thames is the defining geographic feature of the area, entering near Hampton in the west and flowing east before exiting downstream of Dagenham. The land immediately north and south of the river is flat, but rises to low hills further away, including Hampstead Heath, Shooter's Hill, and Sydenham Hill. The area's highest point is Westerham Heights (245 m (804 ft)), part of the North Downs.

Administrative history

Main article: History of local government in London

The name "Greater London" was used even before it became an official area in 1965. It described places served by the same police, water, and transport systems. Over time, leaders realized London needed better organization because its growing cities stretched beyond old borders.

In 1965, Greater London was officially created, combining many nearby areas into one big region. It started with two levels of government but later changed. In 2000, a new group called the Greater London Authority was added to help manage the city better.

Geography

Greater London covers the main urban area of London and includes parts of the surrounding green spaces, known as the Metropolitan Green Belt. It shares borders with several counties: Essex to the northeast, Hertfordshire to the north, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire to the west, Kent to the southeast, and Surrey to the south and southwest. The highest point in Greater London is Westerham Heights, located on the border with Kent, reaching a height of 245 meters above sea level. Some small changes to the boundaries of Greater London have been made over the years by the central government.

Governance

Greater London is governed by the Greater London Authority, which includes an elected assembly called the London Assembly and an executive leader known as the Mayor of London. The current Mayor is Sadiq Khan, who is monitored by the London Assembly. The Greater London Authority’s offices moved to The Crystal in Newham in January 2022. The Mayor helps plan for the future of Greater London.

London is also represented in the UK Parliament, with 73 areas called constituencies. Greater London includes 32 boroughs, each with its own local government. The City of London has its own special government, which has existed since the 12th century.

Demography

Main article: Demographics of London

London's population grew quickly during the 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming the world's most populous city until New York took the lead in 1925. At its peak in 1939, London had about 8.6 million people. Today, the city’s population is over 9 million, making it one of the world’s largest cities.

London is very diverse, with people from many different backgrounds. In recent years, many people from Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world have made London their home. This mix of cultures has helped make London one of the most interesting and lively cities in the world.

Economy

Main article: Economy of London

Greater London has a strong economy. In 2009, the part of London called Inner London had a GDP of 232 billion euros, with each person making about 78,000 euros per year. Another part, Outer London, had a GDP of 103 billion euros in the same year, with each person making around 21,460 euros per year. These numbers show how much money people in London were making and spending.

Religion

Main article: Religion in London

See also: List of churches and cathedrals of London

London has many people from different religions. The most common ones are Christian (48.4%), Muslim (8.4%), Hindu (8.0%), Jewish (1.8%), Sikh (1.5%), and Buddhist (1.0%). About 21.7% of people say they have no religion.

London has many important religious buildings. St Paul's Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral are key churches for the Anglican religion. Westminster Abbey is where many national ceremonies happen, and it is different from Westminster Cathedral, the biggest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales. There are also important places for Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jews across the city.

Education

Publicly funded education in Greater London is managed through 33 local education authorities, matching the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. This system has been in place since 1990. In 1965, comprehensive schools were introduced across most of Greater London, though some outer London boroughs still keep a few grammar schools.

Greater London has many universities and colleges. The University of London includes many colleges, with University College London and King's College London being the largest. Other important universities include Imperial College, Queen Mary University of London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Many students from across the UK choose to study in London, and a large number of London students stay in the city after graduating.

Twin cities

The Greater London Authority has agreements with several cities around the world, known as twin and sister city agreements. These partnerships help promote cultural and economic exchanges between Greater London and these international cities.