Travel Home > Directory > Destinations > Europe > United Kingdom > London

London. Pop. 7,512,400. Currency UK Pound. Language English Time Zone GMT + 0 hours. Airports – Heathrow LHR, Gatwick LGW, Stansted STN, Luton LTN, London City LCY. Best Time to go – a year round destination. London is the capital and largest city in England and the United Kingdom. London is one of the world's leading business, financial, and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as a major global city, with a similar status to New York City, Paris, and Tokyo. London's largest industry remains finance. Over 300,000 people are employed in financial services in London and the city has over 480 overseas banks, more than any other city in the world. The city is also home to the UK Government, which is headquartered at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. Most of the key government departments are located close to Westminster, particularly near Whitehall, including the Prime Minister's city residence at number 10 Downing Street. London boasts three World Heritage Sites; these are Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, and the historic settlement of Greenwich. There dozens of other attractions including: Buckingham Palace (the official London residence of the Queen); Trafalgar Square (home of Nelson's Column and the lions); London Eye (one of the world's largest observation wheels); Tower Bridge; St Paul's Cathedral; British Museum; National Portrait Gallery; St James Park; Hyde Park; Natural History Museum; Barbican Arts Centre; Royal Albert Hall; Royal Opera House; Sadler's Wells Theatre; The West End; Piccadilly Circus; Madame Tussauds Wax Museum; Hampstead Heath; Marble Arch; O2 Arena (formerly the Millennium Dome); Canary Wharf; and Battersea Power Station. London is also one of the great shopping cities and many tourists will be attracted to: Oxford Street; Regent Street; Bond Street; Covent Garden; Soho; Camden Town; Chelsea; and Knightsbridge. The city is also a major sporting centre. It has hosted the Summer Olympics twice, in 1908 and 1948, and will host the Games in 2012, which will make it the first city in the world to host the Summer Olympics three times. London also has 13 football clubs – the main ones are Arsenal, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Chelsea. The city is also home to the national venues Wembley Stadium (Football), Twickenham Stadium (Rugby), and Wimbledon (Tennis).

Previous [1] [2]