London
London is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom. It lies on the River Thames in the South of England. The collective population of Greater London and Inner London amounted to 15.010.295 in 2012, making London one of the largest cites of Europe and a one of its most important commercial, economic and cultural hubs. The city was founded by the Romans who named it Lodinium. It has a profound influence on art, education, trade, fashion, health, media, entertainment, and tourism. According to a study carried out in 2014, universities in London ranked first among universities from all over the world. It’s mentionable that London houses 43 universities that are home to the most important Higher education campuses in all Europe. London is also known as the “city of fog,” as it is almost always foggy even in summer. Nevertheless, it has been a historic city; it was not only mentioned in Shakespearean literature, but it is also present in many international novels.
Tourist attractions
London is one of the major tourist hubs in the United Kingdom. It is home to various tourist destinations that receive large numbers of visitors from all nationalities. Those destinations are as follows:
Westminster Abbey:
One of the largest abbeys in the United Kingdom, it’s located in the western side of the Westminster Palace. It is a key religious building where coronation ceremonies are held. It receives huge numbers of visitors every year.
The Tower of London:
Established by William the Conqueror in 1870, the Tower of London served as a prison in the middle of the 20th century; however, it has been turned into a tourist attraction drawing millions of tourists every year.
The London Eye:
Standing on the River Thames, the London Eye is the tallest cantilevered observing wheel in Europe. It has capsules made of glass, allowing visitors to observe the beautiful landscape of central London. Visited annually by 3.5 million people, it’s one of the most visited tourist attractions in the United Kingdom.
The Buckingham Palace:
The Buckingham Palace is the residence and administrative headquarters of Queen Elizabeth II. It attracts large amounts of tourists from different countries. The front of the Buckingham Palace measures108 meters across, by 120 m deep, by 24 m high.
Parks
Central London houses three main parks. They are the Royal Parks, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens.
London Zoo
One of the most visited destinations in London; it is one of the oldest scientific zoos in the world. Opened on 27 April 1828, it began as a scientific collection. However, it has been open to the public since 1847. The zoo is close to Madame Tussauds Museum.
Madame Tussauds Museum
Visited by huge numbers of visitors each year, it’s a unique museum with statues sculpted of wax. It houses life-size statues of celebrities, movie and sports stars, kings, and even notorious killers. It was founded by the sculptor Mary Tussauds who was became known as Madame Tussauds. The museum has many branches in many major cities all over the world.
Due to its size, grandeur, ancient history, diversity and modernity, London is thriving throughout the year. In spring and summer, visitors can stroll in the parks, browse shops and participate in festivals. In fall and winter, they can watch the fireworks, shop for Christmas, ice-skate and listen to the choir celebrating the holiday season.
Resources
Wikipedia
