London is a popular city in Europe. It is a city located in England. England is a country located in Europe. This makes London, and everything else in England, a part of the European continent.
London is the largest city in England. In fact, even in the whole United Kingdom, London is the largest.
The city sits along the River Thames. It has always been a major settlement for many years. Its ruler is the Mayor of London, working closely with the London Assembly.
Aside from being one of the most famous, London is also one of the most important cities in the world. It has a significant impact on the arts as well as on education. It brings forth huge influences in the fields of entertainment, fashion, and commerce.
And speaking of commerce, it is one of the major financial centers of the world. In fact, in 2020 alone, the city has the second most billionaires on the continent.
In the field of education, London is also one of the most influential. It has many high-quality educational institutions with concentrations in any field possible.
When it comes to its people, London has a diverse population. It is a city of more than 300 languages. Not only is it diverse, but the city is also one of the most populated. In fact, when it comes to its population, it is the third most populous in Europe.
London is also full of World Heritage Sites. It actually has many – the Tower of London, the Kew Gardens, and the Westminster Palace are just a few of them.
And of course, who would ever forget the Queen? When one says London, one is always reminded of the Royal Family that lives somewhere in that great city.
What language do they speak in London?
Most people in London speak English as a primary language. If you are so used to American English, the British way of speaking may sound a bit off. And that’s where the differences between the two kinds of English lie.
The majority of Londoners speak English. But there is an existing population that speaks another tongue. In fact, the whole city has about 300 languages in total. This is how diverse the population of the city is.
It is common to hear a group speaking Mandarin or Cantonese in London’s Chinatown. Or a language like Bangladeshi is common in Bethnal Green. One would also hear Yiddish in Stamford Hill.
London is a city with different people and varying backgrounds. They all live and work in establishments all over the city. From Polish to Arabic, from Urdu to Filipino, the city of London has it all.
It is a city of many nations.
What is London famous for?
From the Royal Family to the London Bridge, one never runs out of things to think of when it comes to London. There’s the London Eye and the Palace of Westminster. There are museums and art galleries. Plus, the food is something that speaks wonders. London is everything one can only wish for.
Walking around the city, one sees things that are part of history. There are narrow streets, old runners, and even old boats by the river.
Aside from being rich in history, London is also a dynamic city. Not only is it dynamic, but it is also famous.
Here are a few reasons why.
Ancient Modern City
London is one of Europe’s ancient cities. In the olden times, the city was before, made up of two cities – London and the City of Westminster. The city of London is the older part, the history of which goes way back to the Romans.
The Mayor is the city’s leader. But if there is one thing that you should know, it is this. Did you know that she has to secure the Mayor’s approval when the Queen wants to visit London? Well, that’s interesting!
But while the city has medieval architecture, it also has a taste of modern designs. Skyscrapers and buildings of modern designs flock to the city.
London is a city that is popular for its rich history. It also has a stable financial status. It has unique villages, amazing art, and fun cocktail bars. London is that, and so much more.
This is the reason why London is such a magnet to everyone.
London and the International Trade
A few more things relate to London. In previous centuries, London was always the center of international trade. This is why London has great capabilities when it comes to historical global trading.
Up until this day, London retains its influence in worldwide trade. It is a city that exudes innovation. It is a city that leads as well when it comes to technology and the sciences.
Multiculturalism
London attracts millions of people from around the world. The communities in the city surpass any racial boundaries.
In fact, London is home to immigrants from all corners of the globe.
This allows the city to exist with so much diversity. It is home to different nationalities, religions, and thriving cultures. When it comes to languages, more than 300 different languages and dialects are in London.
Aside from the English speakers, London also has a population that speaks Turkish. Then, there are the Germans as well as those that speak Arabic. Some speak Punjabi and a lot more.
This diversity makes London a melting pot of different cultures. One can easily find all types of food in the city. Certainly, there is no chance for you to miss home. The nearest dim sum place or the best pasta in town is just around the corner.
Green Spaces
If you like green spaces, this city is for you.
Compared to other cities in the world, London has more extravagant gardens. Anywhere you are in the city, you are bound to locate a park. There are small and large parks everywhere.
The city also has quaint little green areas where you can easily escape from the bustling city vibe. When things got rough, and you want to escape city life, here are quiet places for you.
The Attractions
London is famous for its many attractions. Tourists and locals alike love to drop by these places. They’re photogenic, and they’re attractive. And what’s more, is that these attractions are as rich in history as any other.
The Statues
Some such examples of attractions are the statues. Some can be enormous. Others are not as grand. But if there is one thing about London, its statues are grander than anywhere else.
Another thing about these statues is the unique stories that they tell. For example, in Philpot Lane stands a miniature statue of two mice. One can see the two mice munching on some cheese.
The story behind this is that long ago, two builders lost their lives in this area. The reason? They were arguing over a sandwich. The statue of the two mice was in memory of these two builders.
Anywhere in London, one can always see statues big and small. And so while walking the city streets, remember the statue you’re seeing. It is more likely to contain a story you should know.
The Buckingham Palace
There are a lot of interesting places in London. But out of the many places, one of the most popular is Buckingham Palace.
It is a famous belief that the Queen lives here. Yes, she spends some time here. But this is more like an office than a residence for the Queen.
The Palace was home to many royalties in the past, but for Queen Elizabeth II, it is not. She considers Windsor Castle as home.
One of the most popular attractions is the changing of the guards. This is a magnet for many visitors every day.
The changing of the guards happens at the front of Buckingham Palace. This is where visitors witness the New Guard replacing the existing Old Guard. Music plays, courtesy of the military band.
The Tower of London
One of the most famous landmarks in the city is the Tower of London. Every year, the tower alone attracts up to 2 million visitors.
Built-in the 1070s, the tower is one of the city’s oldest.
The Arts
When it comes to the arts, London is a city that can deliver. It is famous for its many museums and galleries. The city museum alone is amazing and attracts millions of visitors per year.
The most famous of all is the British Museum. Home to more than 7 million artifacts, this is the largest in the whole United Kingdom.
Another is the Natural History Museum. It is famous for its incredible collection. Plus, aside from its collection, the museum is also popular for its grand entranceway.
London has all kinds of museums. Aside from those that house historical artifacts, some are quirky. They can even be out of the ordinary.
The Cartoon Museum is one of them. It displays British animation and cartoons over the decades.
Here’s another interesting museum. In London, you may want to visit the Fan Museum. This museum houses some of the world’s oldest fans. In fact, some fans are so old they can even go back to as far as the 11th century!
Then, there’s the Freud Museum. And there’s the Magic Circle Museum.
Certainly, there is always a museum for anyone, no matter the interest. There’s something for you there, for sure.
London and its Entertainment and Sports Events
If you are up for some modern entertainment, London is the city for you.
The city’s entertainment scene should be one of your highlights when visiting.
When New York City has Broadway, London has the West End. This is the part of London where you can find some of the world’s best and most diverse theater shows. It brings to life a wide array of entertainment from plays to musicals and other shows.
Apart from these, London also brings to the world festivals all year round. For once, there is the Chelsea Flower Show. And who would ever miss out on the Queen’s birthday parade?
If you are into sports, the Wimbledon Tennis Open attracts millions each year.
The London Marathon is also a magnet for marathon runners to the British capital city. This is an annual event, and so if you missed it last year, this year should be your year.
London and its Cultural Events
As you already know by now, London is a melting pot of different cultures. What better place to hold cultural events than in this city of such a diverse population?
Each year, the city hosts hundreds of cultural events. These events take place all over the city. They are so diverse that they usually cover anything from events, music to food. There are art events, science events, and a lot more.
One such example is the Chinese New Year. The Chinese population in the city reaches more than 100,000 in the past year. It is no wonder that London plays host to many colorful events during the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Trafalgar Square is where the most amazing Chinese New Year celebrations take place. The other location should be Leicester Square.
The Notting Hill Carnival takes place in August of each year. When you are in the city, you would be lucky to see the colorful and spectacular festival.
The Notting Hill Carnival started in the 1960s. It is now one of the world’s most celebrated.
The carnival celebrates the city’s Afro-Caribbean community. It is during this time when the community showcases its breathtaking culture. It can be through costumes, music, and food.
The Famous Fish and Chips
A lot would usually ask about London’s fish and chips. The dish is popular in the city. Its popularity date back to the 19th century.
The first fish and chips shop was on Cleveland Street. It was famous in the 1860s. At this time, one can easily find fish and chips shops all over London.
In fact, the dish is so famous that one can rarely find restaurants that don’t have them. Even bars hotels in the city serve fish and chips.
If you are in the city, go ahead and delve into this amazing dish. You may be able to find fish and chips somewhere else. But London made the dish its own. Your London trip will never be complete without it.