London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, with a history dating back two millennia. It is a global financial and cultural center, and home to many iconic landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and Trafalgar Square. The document provides details on these and other major sites in London, including the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Tower of London, and various parks, museums, and neighborhoods that make up Britain's historically rich and vibrant capital city.

1. LONDON
Between conservatism and
modernity

2.  London is the capital and largest urban area in England and the United
Kingdom. An important settlement for two millennia, London's history goes
back to its founding by the Romans. Since its settlement, London has been
part of many important movements and phenomena throughout history, such
as the English Renaissance , the Industrial Revolution , and the Gothic
Revival. The city's core, the ancient City of London , still retains its limited
medieval ruins; but since at least the 19th century the name "London" has
also referred to the whole metropolis that has developed around it
 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 contribute to its status as a major global city . London
boasts four World Heritage Sites: The Palace of Westminster, Westminster
Abbey and St. Margaret's Church; the Tower of London; the historic
settlement of Greenwich; and the Royal Botanic Gardens The city is a major
tourist destination both for domestic and overseas visitors.]London's
population draws from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions, and
over 300 languages are spoken within the city. London has a population of
8,278,251 people and the metropolitan area is estimated to have a total
population of about 10 million people.

3. The tower bridge
 The tower bridge is
an important symbol
of London. It is 65
ms high and the
central part can be
raised up when big
ships pass through

4. The houses of Parliament
 The houses of
Parliament are the
seat of the British
parliamentary
democracy: it is
divided into “ House
of Lords” and “
House of
Commons”.

5. The London Eye
 It is a panoramic
wheel situated on
the bank of the river
Thames. There are
32 cabins and from
the top you can
enjoy a fantastic
view of the city, as
far as 40 kms

6. Buckingham Palace
 Buckingham Palace
is the Residence of
the Royal Family:
every morning at 11
o’ clock there’s the
changing of the
guards and millions
of tourists watch it.

7. Madame Tussaud
 It’s a very famous
wax museum
founded in 1902 ;
there you can find
the wax copies of all
important people of
History . Outside this
museum there are
always long queues
of tourists!

8. The BIG BEN
 The Big Ben is a
famous clock on the
bell tower of the
Houses of
Parliament : it was
built in 1862 by
Benjamin Hall. It is
62 ms high and it
rings every fifteen
minutes

9. Trafalgar Square
 Trafalgar Square is a
famous square which
commemorates the
victory of Admiral
Nelson against
Napoleon in Trafalgar
Battle. In the middle of
this square there’s a
column with Nelson’s
statue on the top.

10. Piccadilly Circus
 Piccadilly Circus is a
central square of
London, where six
streets meet
together. It’s a
fantastic shopping
area and it’s full of
restaurants, nights
clubs and other
enterteinments

11. Harrods and Selfridges
 These are the biggest
and most expensive
department stores of
London. You can find
quite everything
but prices are very …
high. During Christmas
period they are
particularly attractive

12. The Tower of London
 It’s a famous castle
where the Jewels of the
Crown are kept.
 The guardians are
called Beefeaters.
Around this castle
there’s a large garden
and the legend says
that when birds leave
this garden, the British
Empire will finish.

13. Carnaby Street
 Carnaby Street is a
famous road
centrally located,
near Oxford Street.
There are many
shops dedicated to
the 60s and -above
all- to the Beatles.

14. Westmister Abbey
 It’s the most famous
cathedral of England.
Here royal weddings,
funerals, and
ceremonies take place.
In this cathedral are
buried all famous kings,
queens, poets and
writers of the English
History. Among them,
the famous writer
William Shakespeare.

15. THE PARKS
 The most important
parks are Hyde Park
and S. James Park.
Here people can
relax during lunch
break , play,listen to
music, walk along
the small lakes,
listen to the “ corner
speakers” …….

16. The Underground
 Visitors in London
usually travel on the
underground ( Tube)
The construction work
began in 1860 and it
opened in 1903. It
covers about 2,400 kms
with 270 stations and
carries every day 4
millions passengers.

17. 10 Downing Street
 This is the address
of the Prime
Minister. Actually
he’s Gordon Brown,
he has political
power and plays a
big role in
international politics

18. Soho
 Soho is an ethnic
suburb where you
can find all kinds of
typical restaurants
( Italian, Chinese,
Greek, Mexican,
Indian,…… ) and
ethnic shops

19. Museums
 The National Gallery is
an important art
Museum and it collects
international
masterpieces
 The British museum is
an exhibition of ancient
art ( Roman , Greek,
Egyptian….)
 The Natural Science
Museum is very
interesting with lots of
scientific experiments

20. The docks
 “The docks” is a
very elegant and
modern suburb of
London , situated on
the river Thames.
Once upon a time it
was a harbour

21. The Stock Exchange and
financial area
 LSE ( London Stock
Exchange) is the “
borsa valori” of
London. It was
founded in 1801 and
is one of the most
important stock
exchanges of the
world

22. Greenwich
 Greenwich, outside
London , is a small
village, very famous
for the meridian
“zero” of the Earth .
London is one hour
earlier than Italy.

23. Theatres
 The Globe Theatre is the
most ancient, where
Shakespeare’s plays were
performed in 1600 s . The
most recent are :
 Royal Opera House
 London Coliseum
 Royal National Theatre

24. And now….a final test
 London metropolitan area has got a. 7 millions b. 8 millions c. 10 millions inhabitants
 Piccadilly Circus is a. A circus b. A square c. A street
 The Tower of London is a . A castle b. A high tower c. A prison
 Famous poets and writers are buried in a. Buckingham palace b. Westminster abbey c. Hyde park
 The Queen lives in a. The tower of London b. 10 downing street c. Buckingham Palace
 Harrods is very a. expensive b. cheap c. small
 In Soho you can find a. strange people b. ethnic restaurants c. music shops
 In the British Museum there’s a. modern art b. roman and greek art c. british art
 In Madam Tussaud Museum there are works made of a. wood b. ceramic c. wax
 The London Eye is a. the underground b. the panoramic wheel c. a restaurant
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