Title: 3
Author: Jan Veselý
Last saved by: k
Company: Novák

3. London
outline: - basic information
             - history
             - transport
             - places of interest
- shopping, parks, theatre, museums and galleries

	London is the capital of the United Kingdom. It lies on the river Thames. It has population of 7 million people. It includes the City of London and 32 boroughs. London is the seat of the Queen, Parliament, the government and the Supreme Court. London is a financial and commercial center. The London Stock Exchange is the world's biggest.

History:
	The Celts settled the territory of today’s London as early as 800 B.C. About 43 A.D. the Romans established Roman Londonium. The Romans left in the 5^th century and Londonium remained the capital of the Britons. In the 12th century William the Conqueror (Norman king) moved from Winchester to London.
	In 1666 the Great Fire of London destroyed 4/5 of the city. The architect Sir Christopher Wren constructed many new buildings including famous St. Paul's Cathedral.

Transport:
	The Port of London is accessible from the sea for large cargo ships. But now it is not as important as in history.
	There are five airports – Heathrow, Gatwick. Many trains to other cities go from London. Underground in London is called the tube. It is the world's oldest. It is 420 km long and it operates 273 stations.
	London is famous for red double–deckers and black taxis.

Interesting places: 	
	Central London is where most of famous sights sights are. It has many parts – the oldest are The City, Westminster.
	The City of London is headed by the Lord Mayor. The City is the largest, financial and commercial center of Europe.
	The Tower of London is the most popular tourist attraction. It used to be a royal home, a prison and now it is a museum of weapons, crowns jewels etc. The guards of the tower are called beefeaters.
	Next to the Tower stands Tower Bridge. It can be raised in the middle, so ships can go through.
	The largest church of the City is St. Paul's Cathedral. It was built in the baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren. Weddings and funeral services of famous people are held there. There is the famous Whispering gallery.
	The City of Westminster – There are situated the Houses of Parliament, rebuilt in neo–gothic style. They were built in 1840. They are seat of British Parliament and are divided into 2 branches - the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The clock tower Big Ben is connected to them. The tower is named after the bell which has its name after Sir Benjamin Hall.
	Across Parliament Square is Westminster Abbey. Monarchs are crowned there. It was built in the 11^th century. In the Poet’s Corner are tombs of famous poets (John Milton, Walter Scott, William Shakespeare).
	Along Whitehall (street with Government offices) you come to Trafalgar Square. In the middle of the square is admiral Nelson’s column. National gallery forms one part of Trafalgar Square. There is one of the greatest collections of paintings form the 13^th to the 20^th century. Close to the square is Downing street (Downing street 10 is the seat of the Prime Minister.).
	Not far from the Houses of Parliament is Buckingham Palace, seat of the Queen. Tourists can see the Changing of the guard there.
	A short way from Trafalgar Square is Piccadilly Circus. In the centre of it is the Fountain with the statue of Eros.

Shopping
Famous shopping places are Regent Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly and Soho. The most famous department store is Harrods’.

Parks
St. James Park is the oldest and has a lake with many islands and water-birds. Hyde park is the most popular with its famous Speaker’s Corner. Everybody can speak there publicly about all topics except the Queen.
Kensington Gardens – there stands the Albert Memorial. Opposite to the memorial stands the Albert Hall, large concert hall for over 5000 people.
Regent’s park has attractive gardens, lakes and the zoo founded in 1826.

Theatre
	London is the centre of English drama. Most of the theatres are grouped in West End. The National theatre, the Barbican Centre (there plays Royal Shakespeare company when they are in London) – there is the Barbican Hall for conferences and concert, and Barbican theatre

Museums and Galleries
	The British Museum – founded in 1753, it includes the British Library with over 11 million volumes. The museum contains collections from old Egypt, China etc.
	The Victoria and Albert Museum – a collection of fine art of all countries.
Madame Tussaud’s wax museum – figures of famous people.
The Tate gallery – collection of the 20^th century painting and sculpture (Turner, Gainsborough, Constable).