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LONDON

London, the capital of the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is located on the Thames in the south-east of the island. London has 33 districts. These are referred to as London Boroughs. The District City of London (also: Square Mile) is known as an economic and historic centre.

Actually, the whole of London is one of the major cultural and economic centres of the world. Already in the year 1851 was held here the first World Exposition ( Great Exhibition ). With its many large and oldest universities in the world, art schools, many medical schools, theatres and museums, it is a world city. There is also the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization, the IMO. In the east of the town is Greenwich. There is the Royal Observatory (Royal Greenwich Observatory), whereby the well-known Prime Meridian is going through. Therefore it was and is still the starting point of time zones.

London has always been rich in cultural events. In the West End for example, are several theatres, where among other things, the world-famous musical The Phantom of the Opera for the first time was performed. Mentioned must also be: The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Coliseum Theatre, Royal National Theatre, London Palladium, Barbican Arts Centre, Haymarket Theatre, Globe Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, Royal Opera House and many more. The open-air theatre on the Thames is always performing, among other pieces, as well as Shakespeare s masterpieces. Furthermore, London owns 5 famous Symphony Orchestras.

Also the world famous Museum, the British Museum, is located in London (in Bloomsbury). Other museums are: The Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of London and Madame Tussauds museum, and others. State museums can be visited free.



Other object of interest in the city are the Tower of London from the Middle Ages, the Tower Bridge over the Thames, the world heritage Palace of Westminster, the Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth II lives, the St. James s Palace from the 15th Century, the Hampton Court Palace in Tudor and baroque style, and others. Furthermore, in London, there are countless number of historic churches, temples, numerous skyscrapers, parks, shopping centres, media establishments, film and recording studios, etc. London has five major large and other private airports, and the oldest underground railway (London Underground) of the world is located in London.

Summarized is London, and the whole United Kingdom, still a regional cultures shaped area, which is based on Anglo-Saxon and Celtic traditions. Despite significant cultural differences in the whole big Kingdom, this diversity brought dozens of world-famous personalities: Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, Daniel Defoe, the Bronte sisters, Charles Dickens, Charlie Chaplin, Hugh Grant, Jew Law, Peter Ustinov, Alfred Hitchcock, Thomas Morus, Edmond Halley, David Beckham, David Bowie, Phil Collins, Sir Elton John and many mighty queens and politicians.