THE REGION OF:

LONDON
LONDON

London is the capital of the United Kingdom (UK), and its largest city. It is also the city with the highest population in
the UK. The city is the largest in western Europe by population and area.
On the Thames, London has been a central city since it was founded by the Romans two millennia ago as Londinium.
The Romans bridged the river Thames and built a road network to connect Londinium with the rest of the country.
London's original city centre, the City of London is England's smallest city. In 2011 had 7,375 inhabitants on an area of
2.9 km². The term "London" is used for the urban region which developed around this city centre. This area forms the
region of London, the Greater London administrative unit led by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.
London is one of the world's most important political, economic and cultural centres. London was the capital of the
British Empire and so for almost three centuries the centre of power for large parts of the world.
The city has about 9.1 million inhabitants (2018). If one counts the entire metropolitan area of London (London
Metropolitan Area), it has about 15 million people. The climate is moderate.
The most important landmarks in London are: Big Ben, Buckingham palace and Westmister’s palace.
 Big Ben

Big Ben is the nickname of a bell that hangs in the clock tower at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament
in Westminster, London, England. Officially, the tower itself is called Elizabeth Tower. It was previously
known as just the Clock Tower, but was renamed in September 2012 as a tribute to the Diamond Jubilee of
Queen Elizabeth II. However, most people, including those that live in London, call the tower "Big Ben"
because it is very large.
Designed by Edmund Beckett Denison, the clock took 13 years to build and it was completed in 1859. It has
worked continuously since then except for a few months in 1976 when it broke down and had to be fixed.
Big Ben is one of England’s best-known landmarks. Some believe it got its name from Sir Benjamin Hall. The
Elizabeth Tower which it is located in has become one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom
and is often in the establishing shot of films set in London.
Since August 2017, repair work is being done on the clock, which will take four years. For the safety of those
doing this work, Big Ben no longer rings out every hour. It will still be heard on special occasions, such as the
New Year and Remembrance Day.
 Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is a palace in London. It is in the City of

Westminster, in central London.
The Palace is the main official residence where the British monarch
lives and works. The palace is a setting for state occasions and royal
hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of
national rejoicing and crisis.
Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 by John Sheffield, 1st Duke
of Buckingham and Normandy, as a townhouse residence in
London. It was bought by the British royal family in 1761. It
became the official London home of the family in 1837 and was
greatly expanded in the 19th century. It has 775 rooms, 19
staterooms, and 78 bathrooms. Leading up to it is a ceremonial road
called The Mall. A German bomb damaged the Palace during the
London blitz.
Palace of Westmister

Westminster Abbey is a large and famous Anglican church in Westminster, London. It is the shrine of
Edward the Confessor and the burial place of many kings and queens. Since it was built it has been the
place where the coronations of Kings and Queens of England have been held. The present structure
dates from 1245, when it was started by Henry III.
The status of the Abbey is that of a Royal Peculiar. This means it is place of worship that falls directly
under the jurisdiction of the British monarch, rather than under a bishop. The concept dates from
Anglo-Saxon times, when a church could ally itself with the monarch and therefore not be subject to
the bishop of the area. Technically speaking, it is not a cathedral, though it is regarded as one in
practice.
One of the most famous tombs at Westminster Abbey is that of the Unknown Warrior.
Westminster Abbey and its small parish church, St Margaret's, form a UNESCO World Heritage site,
which also includes Westminster Palace.
Typical dishes from London

Fish and chips: It is perhaps the most famous dish in English cuisine. Served as early as the
19th century, it was widespread among working-class English. Fillets of fish, fried in a
batter of flour and beer. The choice usually includes cod (cod), haddock (haddock, similar
to cod but fatter), plaice (plaice), skate (ray) always served with fries, cream of peas (mushy
peas) and tartar sauce (a mayonnaise with tarragon and cucumber). A quicker alternative to
fish and chips is the fish fingers sandwich: fried fish cutouts served between two slices of
white bread.
Typical dishes from London

Sausages and mash: Literally sausages and mashed potatoes. The meat is almost always
pork but many pubs and restaurants offer wild boar sausages. The gravy sauce is a must, a
reduction of meat and vegetable broth, to be poured on the plate.
Typical dishes from London

Shepherd’s pie: Not to be confused with the traditional pie pies. It is a pie au gratin with a
base of lamb ragout with carrots and peas, covered with a layer of mashed potatoes. The
best-known variant uses beef (Cottage Pie) instead of minced lamb.
Football in London

With 13 professional teams, London can rightfully call itself the

capital of football! As many as 7 London teams play in the
2022/2023 Premier League championship, corresponding to the
Italian Serie A, football is undoubtedly the most popular sport and
London stadiums are almost always sold out, so much so that
finding tickets for the most important matches can be very
difficult, almost impossible for it is occasionally found in the city.
With 13 league titles won, Arsenal are the most titled of the
London teams, and probably also the strongest. They first entered
the first division in 1904, only being relegated once, in 1913.
Fulham, founded in 1879, are the oldest club in London still
playing professionally and, having won the title of the 2021/22
Championship, he returned to compete in the Premier.