London population. Population of London: size, ethnic composition How many people live in London

Skip to navigation Skip to search

Capital
English London
Clockwise from top left: Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge
A country Great Britain
Country UK
Region
Internal division and 32 districts
Mayor Sadiq Khan (from 9.5.2016)
History and geography
Based after 43 years
Former names Londinium, Augusta, Lundenvik, Lundenburgh
Square about 1706.8 km²
Center height 35±1 m
Climate type temperate marine
Timezone UTC0, summer UTC+1
Population
Population ▲ 8,538,689 people (2013)
Density 5173 people/km²
Agglomeration ▲ 8,631,000 people (2010)
National composition

white 59.8% (of which British 44.9%), Asian 18.4%, black 13.3%, mixed 5%,

others 3.4%

Confessional composition

Christians 48.4%, Muslims 12.4%, Hindus 5.1%, Jews 1.8%, Sikhs 1.5%,

atheists 20.7%

Names of residents Londoner, Londoner, Londoners
Digital IDs
Telephone code +44 20
Postal codes E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W, WC, BR, CM, CR, DA, EN, HA, IG, KT, RM, SM, TN, TW, UB, WD
london.gov.uk (English)

London(English: London [ˈlʌndən]) is the capital and largest city. Administratively, it forms a region divided into 33 self-governing territories. The population is 8.6 million people (2015) - it is the third largest city in Europe. It forms the Greater London agglomeration and the wider metropolitan area. Located in the southeast of the island of Great Britain, on a plain at the mouth of the Thames, near the North Sea. The main political, economic and cultural center.

London is one of the world's premier cities and the world's leading financial centre. Its economy makes up a fifth of the country's economy.

Founded by the Romans shortly after their invasion of Britain in 43 AD. e. From about 100 AD. e. - the capital of Roman Britain, from the 11th-12th centuries - England, from 1707 - Great Britain, from the 16th to 20th centuries - the British Empire. From 1825 to 1925 London was the largest city in the world.

The historical center of the city, formed by the districts and the City, developed in the Victorian era. Among the few buildings that survived the fire of 1666 here is the medieval citadel of the Tower.

Etymology

Until 1889, London was officially called only the City, the boundaries of which have remained virtually unchanged since Roman times.

The name London goes back to the city's Roman name "Londinium", the origin of which is unclear. It is believed to be pre-Roman, borrowed from the area where London still stands. The first, epigraphic, mention of it dates back to around the year 70 (Latin Londinio “in Londinium”). Half a century later, the name of the city - “Londinium” (lat. Londinium) is found in Tacitus, around the middle of the 2nd century - in Ptolemy (ancient Greek. Λονδίνιον "Londinion") Shortly before leaving the island, around 368, the Romans renamed the city Augusta. In documents of the 7th-9th centuries, a settlement not far from the former Londinium is designated as Lundenvik (Old English. Lundenwic). On silver coins of the first half of the 8th century there are inscriptions de Lundonia. At the end of the 9th century, the Saxons restored the former Roman city, now called Lundenburg (Old English). Lundenburh).

Historically, the first to try to explain the origin of the name London was Geoffrey of Monmouth, who associated it with a legendary king named Lud. Currently, there are at least two dozen different interpretations of the name of the capital of Britain. In most of them, it is considered as consisting of two roots, the second of which is most often explained as “city” or “fortress,” while the first is different in almost all cases. On the territory of London, however, no traces of any noticeable settlements of pre-Roman times have been found. This means that in its original form its name most likely represented the name of some tract.

The fact that the island of Great Britain “is mostly a plain covered with forest” was noted by Strabo.

Story

Although traces of human habitation were discovered on the territory of modern London long before the arrival of the Romans, evidence of the existence of a permanent prehistoric settlement on the site of the future Londinium has not been found.

Roman period

Remains of the Roman wall

Londinium was founded by the Romans after their third invasion of Britain in 43 AD. e.. The settlement on the northern Thames at the confluence of the Walbrook River was supposed to be protected by a wooden bridge built across the Thames. The Romans probably advanced from the sea coast inland along the road that passed through the ford in the area of ​​​​the present Westminster Bridge.

In the winter of 60-61, the Britons, taking advantage of the transfer of Roman troops to the island, rebelled and, led by Queen Boudicca, destroyed Camulodunum, the first capital of Roman Britain, after which they burned Londinium. The city, however, was restored and later became its new capital. At the turn of the 2nd-3rd centuries it was surrounded by a six-meter defensive wall; The area of ​​the city was then one square mile. In the 3rd century, after the division of Britain into two parts - Upper and Lower - Londinium became the capital of Upper Britain. At the end of the 4th century it was divided again, and the city was chosen as the center of the province of Maxima Caesarea.

In 410, the Romans abandoned both Britain and Londinium. By the end of this century it too was abandoned.

Middle Ages

In the 19th century, dramatic changes occurred in the appearance of London. In 1836, the first railway opened, connecting London Bridge and Greenwich, and in less than 20 years 6 stations opened. In 1863, the world's first subway opened in London. In addition, the Clock Tower, Albert Hall, Trafalgar Square complex, and Tower Bridge were built in the 19th century. For the first time in the history of London, sewers appeared (see The Great Stench).

In the 19th century, London became the center of the free press - the magazines “Bell”, “Nakanune”, “Narodovolets”, “Bread and Freedom” were published there, which were then secretly transferred to Russia. At that time, a large Russian colony was formed in London. The most famous Russian Londoners of the 19th century are Alexander Ivanovich Herzen and Nikolai Platonovich Ogarev.

In the 19th century, the system of city government was reformed, since the old system, which had existed since the Middle Ages, clearly did not meet the requirements of the expanding metropolis. In 1855, the Metropolitan Board of Works was created to oversee city construction and infrastructure. In 1888, this body was liquidated, and administrative functions were for the first time assigned to an elected body - the London County Council.

In 1851 London hosted the World's Fair.

Mid-century London experienced mass immigration for the first time. A particularly large influx of visitors came from Ireland. A large Jewish community also formed in the city.

London became one of the centers of world fashion in the 19th century. The capital of Great Britain, unlike or, has gained fame thanks to men's fashion. Savile Row became the street of fashion workshops. The beginning of the 19th century dates back to the appearance of the dandy style, which spread throughout the country. The second round of popularity of English fashion occurred in the early 1960s, when a cultural revolution took place in Western European society. Disharmony and asymmetry came first, expressing protest against the conservative bourgeois way of life. The casual style is developing, it quickly becomes popular among various youth movements: fashion, skinheads, football hooligans. The innovator of the style was Ben Sherman, in addition, retired tennis player Fred Perry, the British equivalent of the Frenchman Rene Lacoste, who also once won all kinds of tennis awards with a racket at the ready, was very popular, and in retirement devoted himself to fashion. The leading designers of youth fashion were Mary Quant and Barbara Hulanicki. The 1970s became the era of punk. The leader among English designers was Vivienne Westwood. Contemporary leading designers of British fashion are Paul Smith, Alexander McQueen, Julian Macdonald, Stella McCartney.

XX - early XXI centuries

Bombing of London, 1940

The First World War temporarily stopped the development of London. The city was subjected to air raids for the first time. Between the two world wars London continued to grow, but more in area than in population.

In 1966, the England team won the FIFA World Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

London became a target for terrorists in the 1970s, when the city was first attacked by the Irish Republican Army. These attacks were repeated regularly until the end of the 20th century, after which the Irish were replaced by the al-Qaeda group, which organized a series of bombings on London public transport on July 7, 2005.

From the mid-20th century, despite an influx of immigrants from Commonwealth countries (especially from , and ), the city's population began to decline, falling from almost 9 to 7 million people in the 1980s, after which it began to grow slowly.

In the early 1960s, London remained a major industrial center of the country with developed light industry, about a third of the employed population worked in the docks and in port-related industries. By the end of the 20th century, the city made a transition from an industrial to a post-industrial economy. At the same time, London's multicultural English emerges.

London welcomed the new millennium with the opening of several new buildings, such as the Millennium Dome and the London Eye, a Ferris wheel that became a new symbol of the city. At the beginning of the 21st century, London won the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The capital of Great Britain became the first city to host the Olympics three times. In 2004, a city development plan was adopted. In July 2005, London became the target of terrorist attacks by Islamic fundamentalists.

Physiographic characteristics

London: view from space

London is located on the flat land of the London Basin. The highest point above sea level is Westerham Heights (245 m) in the far south-east of the city.

London covers an area of ​​approximately 1,580 km². London is located on the prime meridian, which is also often called the Greenwich meridian (after the name of the Greenwich Observatory, which is taken as the starting point of longitude). Around London, covering an area of ​​554.7 thousand hectares (as of 2011), there is a “green belt” created after the Second World War in order to prevent further sprawl of the city.

The concept of “city coordinates” is conditional. It is traditionally believed that the nominal center of London is located at the intersection of Eleanor Cross and Charing Cross. This place is located near Trafalgar Square. Thus, the coordinates of the city are approximately 51°30′26″ n. w. 00°07′39″ W d..

Hydrography

The Thames Barrier protects the city from flooding

The Thames, a navigable river flowing into the North Sea, flows through London from southwest to east. Its length within the city is 68 km. The large left tributaries Colne, Crane, Brent, Lee, Roding, Rum, Ingeborn flow into the Thames within London; and the right tributaries Hogsmill, Beverly Brook, Wandle, Ravensbourne, Darent. Small tributaries, including the historic Walbrook, flow underground. There are 18 road, 9 railway and 3 pedestrian bridges across the river, and two dozen tunnels for various purposes are built under the river.

More than 150 km² of London is subject to flooding during high tides of the Thames, the channel of which in the Westminster area has been narrowed three times since Roman times. To protect London from surge waves from the sea, the Thames Barrier dam was built within the city in 1984, capable of blocking the movement of water up the river.

To the north of the Thames, water canals with a total length of 105 km have been preserved: Regent's, Grand Union, its Paddington branch and Leigh Navigation. They were built in the early 19th century and connect London's Docklands on the Thames to the UK canal network.

Climate

London fog in a 19th century painting

The climate in London is temperate maritime, with mild winters and warm summers, and an even distribution of rainfall throughout the year. The mild climate, as in all of Western Europe, is caused by the influence of the warm ocean current Gulf Stream. A special feature of London's climate is its very small inter-seasonal range of fluctuations: from +5.1 °C in January to +18.1 °C in July (the difference is 13 °C). Thus, winter in London is as mild as in a city in the north of the subtropical zone (for example,), and summer in terms of average temperature is even cooler than in and, and thus is moderately warm, but not hot. Interseasonal fluctuations in Moscow are twice as high.

The warmest month is July: the average daily air temperature is a maximum of +22.5 °C. Extreme temperatures in summer occur in July and August, when hot weather sets in for several days (for example, on August 10, 2003, the temperature exceeded +37 °C). In recent years, hotter summer weather has been observed. In winter it is cool, but not frosty; at night the temperature, as a rule, does not drop below −7 °C. The coldest month is January: the average daily air temperature is at least −3 °C. Extreme winter temperatures typically occur in December and January, with temperature differences of several degrees between different areas of the city. The average number of days with frost when the temperature drops below 0 °C in the surface layer of air is 30 days or less per year. During cold spells from late autumn to early spring, the heat island effect is most noticeable at night with light winds, when heated buildings can cause the air in central London to be up to 5°C warmer than outside the city.

The average annual precipitation is less than in Moscow. Showers and thunderstorms are common in summer. Humid air masses from the Atlantic are most active in autumn and winter. Dry periods are possible. Snow falls from November to April, 12-15 times a year. Snow cover lasts an average of 5 days a year, and the depth of the snow cover is insignificant (about 25 mm). Throughout the year, winds from the southwest prevail. Due to its distance from the Atlantic, London is least exposed to winds blowing from the ocean. Winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean bring coolness in summer and warmth in winter. The frequency and strength of winds reaches its maximum from December to February. Storms occur on average 1-2 times a year. Sea breezes from the North Sea, sometimes from the English Channel, blow throughout the summer from late spring. Tornadoes rarely occur.

London climate
Index Jan. Feb. March Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Absolute maximum, °C 14,9 18,5 22,2 27,1 30,6 34,3 35,0 37,3 33,4 28,2 18,9 15,2 37,3
Average maximum, °C 7,7 8,0 10,9 13,8 17,3 20,4 22,9 22,5 19,2 14,9 10,7 7,9 14,7
Average temperature, °C 5,0 4,9 7,1 9,2 12,6 15,6 17,9 17,6 14,9 11,4 7,7 5,3 10,8
Average minimum, °C 2,4 2,1 4,0 5,3 8,3 11,3 13,4 13,3 11,1 8,2 4,8 2,6 7,2
Absolute minimum, °C −16,6 −16,1 −11,1 −4,9 −2,4 1,4 2,4 0,2 −0,4 −5,7 −9,1 −16,1 −16,6
Precipitation rate, mm 56 41 42 42 51 45 44 49 48 69 57 55 599
Source: Weather and Climate

Ecology

Congestion charge zone in central London

London has suffered from smoky air since the Middle Ages, earning it the nickname The Great Smog. Following the catastrophic effects of the Great Smog of 1952, legislative measures were taken that led to improved air quality. However, as of 2011, London remained one of the most polluted cities in Europe. The main source of air pollution is road transport, about 1/3 of which comes from tire and brake wear. Like many other European cities, London does not meet EU standards for the most harmful pollutants, which include nitrogen oxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10). Carbon monoxide (CO2) emissions in 2008 were 17% lower than the national average. Over the period from 2000 to 2011, harmful emissions overall decreased by 11%. About 40% of the PM 10 concentration (as well as a significant proportion of the NO 2 concentration) in the city center is transported by wind from the suburban area. The highest concentrations of NO 2 are observed in Inner London and around Heathrow Airport. Poor urban air quality can cause more than four thousand deaths a year.

The Thames is one of the cleanest rivers in the world that flows through capital cities. The river estuary is damaged by the discharge of storm drains during heavy rains.

About 42% of the population is exposed to noise levels of 55 dB or higher from road transport, and about 6% from railway transport. The volume of household waste decreased from 2000 to 2008.

Population

Year Number
1801 1 011 157
1811 1 197 673
1821 1 450 122
1831 1 729 949
1841 1 917 013
1851 2 286 609
Year Number
1861 3 094 391
1871 3 902 178
1881 4 709 960
1891 5 565 856
1901 6 226 494
1911 7 157 875
Year Number
1921 7 553 526
1931 8 098 942
1941 7 987 936
1951 8 164 416
1961 7 781 342
1971 7 449 184
Year Number
1981 6 608 513
1991 6 887 280
2001 7 172 036
2013 8 416 535
2016 8 787 892

At the 2011 census, London had a population of 8,173,900 (more than Scotland and Northern Ireland combined). Of these, 7.2% were children of preschool age (up to 4 years), 17.3% were children of school age (from 5 to 19 years), 64.4% were people of working age (from 20 to 64 years) and 10.7% elderly people (65 years and above). Compared to the previous census in 2001, the proportion of elderly people has increased slightly. On average there are around 9.3 million people in London during the day. The greatest migration exchange within the country occurs in the neighboring regions of the Southeast and, and the smallest in. Among those arriving from other regions, students and working youth aged 20-29 predominate.

London's population grew most rapidly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, during the period of urbanization. From about 1825 to 1925, London was the most populous city in the world, after which it was surpassed. In 1939, London's population reached a historical high of 8.6 million inhabitants. From the 1960s to the first half of the 1980s, the city lost about ¼ of its population. It is now the second largest city, the largest city in the European Union and the 21st city in the world.

The Greater London agglomeration consists of parts of the region of the same name and the regions of South-East and East England. The population of the London agglomeration in 2010, according to the UN, was 8.631 million people. Together with the suburban area, including satellite cities (, and others created according to the project of L. Abercrombie after the Second World War), Greater London forms a metropolitan area. According to Eurostat data for 2007-2009, the population of the urbanized area ( larger urban zone) London was 12,317,800 people. The English metropolis with a population of more than 30 million people, occupying a third of the territory of England, unites the agglomerations of London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. The English Channel is shared with the continental Rhine-Ruhr megalopolis.

Ethnic composition

Ethnic groups of London
white british 56 %
Asians 15 %
others are white 13 %
Negroids 11 %
other groups 5 %

According to the 2011 census, 45% of Londoners classified themselves as white British, another 14% as other whites, including people from the Republic of Ireland, 22% as Asians, 12% as blacks, 3% as mestizos. 61% of city residents were born in England, 37% were born outside the UK (according to the 2001 census - 27%), of which 3% were born in India, 2% in Poland. 24% of residents are foreigners; 27 thousand people indicated Russian as their native language. The most famous London vernacular, common among the lower social strata of the city's population, is Cockney. Cockneys are characterized by simplified pronunciation of words, specific use or omission of certain sounds. The Cockney dialect in England is often the subject of jokes and anecdotes. Another known type of local pronunciation is Estuary English, common not only in London, but also in the Thames basin as a whole. In addition, with the influx of immigrants from Central America, the Creole dialect became widespread.

Power

London is the de facto capital of Great Britain: all government authorities in Great Britain are located in London, in the area. The country's Parliament sits in the famous Parliament House, the Cabinet and ministries are located nearby in the Whitehall Street area - in particular, the Prime Minister's residence is located at 10 Downing Street. The country's Supreme Court is located opposite Parliament in the Middlesex Guildhall building.

Greater London City Hall

London is governed at two levels: regional - the Greater London Administration and district - 33 municipalities. The administration as a single body governing the city was created in 2000, instead of the Greater London Council, which was abolished in 1986 (in 1986-2000, 32 districts and the City governed the city without centralized authority). Operates on the basis of Acts of Parliament 1999 and 2007. Includes the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. The Assembly, as a body of representative power, consists of 25 deputies elected for 4 years; The chairman of the assembly is the representative of the majority party. She controls the activities of the mayor and approves the city budget. The competence of the mayor, who heads the executive branch and is elected by the population for a 4-year term, includes territorial planning, the organization of urban transport, management of the police and fire department, issues of economic development, environmental protection, sports, culture and the media.

The Mayor of London since May 9, 2016 is Labor member Sadiq Aman Khan (the previous mayor was Conservative Boris Johnson, who served for two consecutive terms). London is represented in the House of Commons of the British Parliament by 74 MPs, of which 44 are Labour, 21 Conservative, 8 Liberal Democrats and 1 party member Respect. The representative of royal power in the region, with the exception of the City, is the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London.

Districts

There are several Orthodox churches: parishes of the Sourozh diocese, the ROCOR, as well as the exarchate of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, among which are two Russian Orthodox churches. The central one is the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady and All Saints, located next to Knightsbridge metro station. This parish was formed in 1741, and moved to its current premises in 1956. Previously, the Anglican parish church of All Saints was located here. It was built in the 19th century in pseudo-Romanesque style. The complex includes five more buildings, in addition to the cathedral.

Events

London Cenotaph

London has annually hosted the New Year's Parade since 1987, Fashion Week (since the early 1990s, the number of shows during the week has increased from 15 to 47), and a yacht exhibition. London Boat Show since 1956, interior exhibition Ideal Home Show since 1908, Thames Boat Race since 1926, London Marathon since 1981, Oxford-Cambridge Boat Regatta since 1829, London Book Fair since 1976, Florist Show Chelsea Flower Show since 1862, parade of the Royal Guard Trooping the Color, City of London Music Festival since 1962, Cuban Carnival since 2005, Car Show Motorexpo since 1996, World Naked Bike Ride since 2001, Hampton Court Flower Show since 1990, Proms Classical Music Concerts since 1895, Carnival del Pueblo Latin American Festival since 1995, Notting Hill Carnival since 1964, Architecture Festival Open House London since 1992, bike ride Mayor of London's Sky Ride since 2007, London Film Festival since 1957, Lord Mayor's Show since 1535, Cenotaph Memorial Ceremony since 1919.

  • The changing of the guard at Royal Buckingham Palace is one of the most famous and popular London traditions among tourists. This ceremony takes place daily at 11:30 from April to August, at other times of the year - at the same time, but every other day. Of course, there is no practical benefit from the changing of the guard, but this tradition is one of the most beautiful in London.
  • The Ceremony of the Keys is a 700-year-old ritual of closing the Tower, performed by its Chief Guardian at exactly 9:50 pm every day.
  • Royal gun salutes are performed on special occasions, which include day of the queen's accession to the throne(February 6), Queen's Birthday (April 21), Coronation Day (June 2), Duke of Edinburgh's Birthday (June 10). If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the fireworks are displayed the next day.
  • The Thames Festival takes place in mid-September and includes a torchlight parade, fairs, fireworks and concerts.
  • The Speakers Corner is located in Hyde Park. Anyone can climb up to some height and practice public speaking on any topic. Now this tradition is in decline - it has become a common tourist attraction, and few speakers the speakers are almost inaudible due to the noise of traffic on nearby Park Lane (the use of microphones in the speakers' corner is prohibited by tradition).

Architecture

Planning and development

Plan of London 1806

The center of London has a complex planning system consisting of radial-circular and rectangular streets. The districts and cities are given the status of a city. Westminster, established as a state seat in the 11th century, remains the seat of the royal residence, parliament and government of the country. The city, with an area of ​​2.7 km², remained (within the walls built by the Romans) the city proper throughout Antiquity and the Middle Ages - a place of crafts and trade. At the beginning of the 17th century, the aristocracy left the City; in the 20th century, banks and offices took the place of homes and shops, turning the City into a purely business district. The once aristocratic suburb west of Westminster marked the beginning of the historical part of London called. Worker settlements around the docks and factories of the 19th century formed the East End area east of the City.

During the Roman period, the layout of London streets was rectangular, and brick and stone were widely used for the construction of buildings. Wooden buildings from the Anglo-Saxon period have not survived. With the arrival of the Normans, stone construction resumed: stone castles, abbeys and cathedrals appeared. However, for the most part, medieval buildings remained wooden and half-timbered, and the layout developed chaotically. The hub of the city was formed by the town hall and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Paul. The use of bricks and tiles dates back to the 15th century. The predominant architectural style from the 13th to the 16th centuries was Gothic. The emergence of Palladian classicism at the beginning of the 17th century was associated with the work of the court architect Inigo Jones, according to whose design the Banqueting House and Queens House were built. Mannerism existed simultaneously with classicism in the 17th century.

The Green Belt around London has stopped the city's natural growth

Fires plagued London from the 1st to the 19th centuries. The use of candles and open fires for heating and cooking was a leading cause of fires; wooden buildings contributed to the rapid spread of fire. In the Great Fire of 1666, London burned almost completely, after which wooden construction was prohibited: residential buildings increasingly began to be built of brick, and public buildings were faced with Portland limestone. The medieval street layout was preserved.

The further development of architecture is associated with the activities of the court architect Christopher Wren, who was committed to the new Baroque style. Among his works: Kensington Palace, the “English Versailles” - Hampton Court, Greenwich Hospital and the most outstanding monument - St. Paul's Cathedral, which was completed during the author's lifetime in 1710. Baroque at the end of the 18th century gave way to neoclassicism, which survived until the middle of the 20th century. In the Victorian era of the 1830s-60s, neo-Gothic style became widespread.

During World War II, London was subject to aerial bombardment. In the post-war period, according to the project of L. Abercrombie, a “green belt” was created around London, limiting further urban sprawl. In the 1960s, the place of the old architectural dominants - the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral and the tower of the Houses of Parliament - was taken by City skyscrapers. In the 1990s, a new area with skyscrapers arose on the banks of the Thames east of the City - Canary Wharf.

London's largest park is Lee Valley. Eight royal parks, some of which were the hunting grounds of kings in the past, cover an area of ​​about 2 thousand hectares. Hyde Park is the largest in the city centre, opening to the public in 1826; together with the adjacent Kensington Gardens, it forms a green area with a total area of ​​over 250 hectares, over two km long and over one km wide. Green Park and St. James's Park with an artificial pond extend towards the Palace of Westminster. Other royal parks include Regent's Park, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Bushey.

Architectural monuments

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Tower, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, St Margaret's Church, Greenwich and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Most of London's architectural monuments are located in the area. The main planning node of the area is the Charing Cross intersection, adjacent to Trafalgar Square, from which the streets of Whitehall to Parliament, the Mall to Buckingham Palace, and the Strand to the City diverge. Trafalgar Square, which became a venue for public events, was created by the architect John Nash in the 1820s. Named in 1830 in memory of the Battle of Trafalgar. A 44-meter-high granite column with a statue of Admiral Nelson rises above the square. At the base of the column there are sculptures of lions. Two fountains were built on the sides of the square. In the middle of Charing Cross, during the restoration of the monarchy in 1675, an equestrian monument to the executed Charles I was erected, which faces the Houses of Parliament. Along the northern side of the square stands the National Gallery building. The Mall street opens through the Admiralty Arch. Running parallel to the Mall is Pall Mall, which is home to C. Wren's Marlborough House and the red brick St James's Palace. Passing through St James's Park, the Mall reaches the square in front of Buckingham Palace, in the middle of which stands a monument to Queen Victoria. Buckingham Palace was founded on the site of the house of the Duke of Buckingham, from whom it was bought by the English king. The original appearance of the palace was greatly changed over time; the main facade of the palace was created in 1913. To the north of it, the Oxford Street and Piccadilly shopping streets run parallel to each other with Piccadilly Circus. Whitehall Street is home to government offices and Horse Guards barracks, and a cenotaph was erected in the middle of the street in 1920 to commemorate those killed in the First World War. The street is adjacent to Downing Street, where the residence of the British Prime Minister is located at number 10. The Neo-Gothic Palace of Westminster was built in 1860 on the site of a previous palace that burned down in a fire. The Victoria Tower, 104 meters high, and the Elizabeth Tower, 98 meters high, rise above the palace.

Among the City's monuments are the buildings of the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange and Guildhall - the medieval town hall, which over time has lost its original appearance. On one of the City squares there is a 61-meter high column, installed by K. Wren in 1677 in memory of the Great Fire. To the east of the City is the Tower fortress with two rows of defensive walls; in the courtyard there is the White Tower from the time of William the Conqueror, 27 meters high. The Tower Bridge with neo-Gothic style towers was built in 1894. The cruiser Belfast is permanently moored near the bridge.

The well-maintained Thames embankments in the central part of the city: Victoria, Chelsea and Albert were built in the second half of the 19th century. On the Victoria Embankment there is an Egyptian obelisk “Cleopatra’s Needle”, surrounded on both sides by sculptures of sphinxes.

The tallest skyscraper in the City - Heron Tower(230 meters high), in the Canary Wharf area - One Canada Square(235 meters), the tallest building in the entire city - The Shard(306 meters, located opposite the City in the Southwark area).




St Paul's Cathedral Tower Bridge Buckingham Palace Houses of Parliament

The 13th century was the century of early English Gothic. One of the brightest examples of this style is Westminster Abbey. No other examples from this period survive in London. Following the early era came the era of decorated English Gothic, but there are no examples of it in modern London, as well as examples of vertical Gothic - the third Gothic period of architecture.

Tudor architecture is similar to Gothic, but with significant changes such as deep and high windows. Henry VII's Chapel and Hampton Court Palace in Richmond are architectural monuments of the Tudor period.

Georgian architecture, the era of which began in the middle of the 18th century, generally corresponded to pan-European classicism. The main thing in it was clear shapes and proportions. This period is not represented by any famous buildings in London, but many residential and administrative buildings in the city were built in the Georgian style. Worth noting are the churches designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, Somerset House by Sir William Chambers and the Pantheon leisure center on Oxford Street by James Wyatt. On the territory of this complex, a large pagoda was erected in 1761-1762 - the first example of Chinese architecture in Europe. Opposite these gardens, the Syon House estate was built - the ancient mansion of the Dukes of Northumberland, made in the style of pure classicism, remarkable for its skillful alternation of geometric shapes and subtle coloristic craftsmanship. Work on the interiors of Syon House continued until 1769, when the Duke ran out of funds.

Also worth mentioning is the Royal Court Yard, built in 1873-1882 to the design of the former lawyer George Edmund Street. Among the significant monuments of this style is the Prince Albert Memorial - a monument in Kensington Park. The monument was designed by Georg Gilbert Scott and opened in 1875.

The famous John Nash, the author of Buckingham Palace and the Marble Arch, worked in the style of classicism; Westminster Cathedral is an example of the neo-Byzantine style. The now defunct Crystal Palace belonged to the industrial style.

Cemeteries

Highgate Cemetery

There are about 170 cemeteries in London, which are municipally and privately owned. Most of them were founded in the 19th century. The largest burial site is the City of London Municipal Cemetery, located in the north-east of the city. In 2008, 75% of deaths were cremated.

Public cemeteries outside the city limits arose in the first half of the 19th century, when London's population was growing rapidly and there was not enough space for new burials in church cemeteries. Kensal Green Cemetery was opened in 1832, and over the next nine years West Norwood, Highgate, Abney Park, Nunhead, Brompton and Tower Hamlets cemeteries were established. Subsequently, they became known as the “Magic Seven”. New cemeteries were created on the model of the landscape cemetery of Père Lachaise in Paris. London's most famous cemetery, Highgate, has become overgrown with wild vegetation over time. Karl Marx and other famous people are buried there. Gravestones in the form of crosses and slabs alternate with sculptures, columns and obelisks of the Victorian era. Here are Egyptian Avenue and the Lebanon Circle with crypts. In some cemeteries, numerous catacombs have been preserved.

Westminster Abbey serves as one of the tombs of English kings. Prominent British citizens are buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.

It is difficult to surprise real modern people with any interesting events taking place in the world, but the country of Great Britain attracts the attention of both tourists and ordinary people. It seems that prim Britain is completely uninteresting and in many circumstances simple, but such an opinion is deeply mistaken. If we take into account the local people living in this state, we can already identify many interesting factors. The UK population as of 2019 is approximately 65,100,000. It is important to note that this amount gradually increases in value.

UK population

Britain itself does not occupy large territories, but this country contains several states - Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England. Each state has its own mentality. Great Britain is an amazing country. Most of the population are indigenous local residents, but a certain part of the people living here are also newcomers.

The population of Great Britain in 2019 is about 65,100,000 people. This figure is gradually and constantly increasing in size. Statistics indicate that the estimated population growth per year is about 226,000 people. This increase is observed due to the increased birth rate, as well as due to the arrival of foreign residents.

It should be noted that many guests of this state, having once visited the country, prefer to stay here forever. Of course, to become an officially registered local resident, you need to collect a lot of documents and prove the need to live in this state. But, one way or another, migrants are constantly arriving in Britain, who subsequently leave Britain as their permanent place of residence.

Population growth is also due to the excellent birth rate in the UK. If we summarize certain statistics, then within one day 1,200 babies are born. The same figure increases over the course of the year to 455,000 people. The high birth rate is due to the fact that young families are not afraid to raise a large number of children. The average family has two or more children. It should also be noted that the British are trying to foster abandoned children. At the same time, children come from a wide variety of countries for permanent residence.

Thanks to the reduced mortality rate, the number of local residents is constantly increasing in number. The population of Britain in 2019 is about 65,100,000 people. This figure is gradually increasing, and accordingly, the country is growing. Statistics indicate that the total mortality rate during the year is about 330,000 people. The main causes of death are the old age of local residents.

Of the total number of citizens living in the country, the working-age population of Great Britain in 2019 is about 66%. This category of citizens includes local residents whose age ranges from 15 years to 65 years. The share of infants, as well as adolescents who have not reached 15 years of age, accounts for about 17%. The same number of local residents is also determined for the share of local elderly residents.

Great Britain is famous for its interesting and varied facts. For example, the population of England in 2019 is about 53,100,000 people. This figure proves that it is in England that the majority of local residents with British citizenship live.

What other interesting facts is modern Britain famous for?

  • There is a unique person living in Great Britain who is known to many people. 99% of this man's body is covered in tattoos. This circumstance is not clear to many, but the Englishman feels confident in the company of other people. This man's name is Tom Leppard. Most of his body is covered with leopard spot tattoos. Thanks to its unique appearance, it becomes famous and individual. It should be noted that this man has already reached a very advanced age and has left for permanent residence in a retirement home.
  • It is in the UK that there are a number of unusual professions. For example, there is such a famous specialty as a waiter. A person working in this position differs from other people in his professional responsibilities - to stand for someone in a certain place. Workers in this profession are in great demand in England. Since the population of England in 2019 is about 53,000,000 people, queues to shops are constantly observed in this state. It is the person holding the position of a waiter who can stand for a certain fee for someone in a long line.
  • Great Britain is also unique in its culinary preferences. Of course, in this state they don’t like to get carried away with exotic food, but dishes made from unusual ingredients are very popular here. For example, in expensive restaurants they prepare soup based on gold powder. The cost of this first course goes beyond all acceptable limits, but there are people who are happy to pay a fortune to try an unusual soup that fills the body with excellent gold pollen.
  • The nature of Great Britain is unusual and beautiful. Only here you can see interesting sculptures created by nature itself. It is not for nothing that hundreds of thousands of tourists dream of visiting an unusual state in order to observe all the beauties and delights of this country.
  • And another extraordinary fact concerns the fact that a certain part of the local population is Russian. And last year, the most popular name given to newborn boys was Muhammad.

Despite the fact that 60 years ago, after the Great London Smog, the city acquired an unusual nickname "The Big Smoke", today the fairly humid, fresh and clean air of the huge metropolis pleases its residents and tourists. Of course, fog, which was the main cause of the famous tragedy in 1952, is not uncommon for the city today, but after the high-profile incident, the metropolis authorities are carefully monitoring the ecology of the capital and the state. In addition, everyone who wants to visit London should take an umbrella with them, which will immediately become a basic necessity, because light rain drizzles here almost every day.

Despite the dull weather and cloudy sky, the residents of hospitable London are very friendly, smiling and never seem to be sad. The warm atmosphere of the city is literally imbued with a joyful mood and creative spirit. On Friday evening, all places of rest (especially pubs) are so crowded that you can see a lot of people just standing on the street, chatting and treating each other to wine or beer. Sunday evening is another matter - the city seems to stand still and you can rarely see a passer-by on the street.

Of course, compared to New York, where life is in an eternal rush, London is not such a “fast and active” city, although there is hardly enough time for measured gourmet breakfasts. But sitting somewhere in a park on the grass, surrounded by nature and city residents with coffee, a warm bun or a sandwich, is very English. During the day, such London parks are always very crowded, however, everyone around feels free and comfortable.

English restraint and patience are inherent not only to high-ranking titled persons, but also to ordinary London police officers, who will always tell tourists the way and friendly talk about local rules and laws. The patience and politeness of law-abiding residents of the capital of Great Britain is noticeably reflected on the roads, where drivers, even at night on an empty highway, try not to exceed the speed limit, and during the day let each other pass, thereby preventing endless traffic jams.

A little history

The history of London is multifaceted and interesting. The oldest city in Europe was founded back in 43 AD. The metropolis, which today occupies 1706.8 km 2, grew from a settlement about 1.6 km long and 0.8 km wide. Since its inception, London has been a significant trading center and an important port, and by 100 AD. became the capital of Britain. Another 100 years later, when Britain was divided into several parts, the Romans built a protective wall around the city, and today tourists who go to London can see its remains.

For several centuries in a row, London passed from hand to hand, was destroyed and rebuilt more than once, but at the same time it did not stop developing and being built. In 1066, the power of the city passed to William the Conqueror, who began construction of the famous Tower, about which there have been legends for many centuries, attracting the interest of tourists.

The beginning of the 18th century was significant in the history of London, when after the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London the city was completely restored and began to bear the proud title of the capital of Scotland and England.

By the way, you can find out a lot of interesting things about London here:

Transport for London

Transport for London is not just a means of transportation, but one of the main symbols of the city, especially when it comes to double-decker buses, the world's oldest metro and the busiest airport, Heathrow.

Despite its impressive scale, the city metro, divided into 6 zones, does not pose any particular difficulties. In the first zone, i.e. in the center, all the sights of London are concentrated. For those who plan to frequently travel around the city by metro, it will be cheaper and more convenient to buy a travel ticket that is valid for one or several days.

There are quite a lot of buses in the city, and in the center you can see their schedules, as well as diagrams of routes of interest. The fare is paid to the driver or cashier upon entry. But it is worth remembering that during the day, when the streets are crowded, it is very difficult to get to the place on time by bus, so it is better to take the metro. But buses run around the clock, so you can walk freely until the morning.

Safety in London

Like any metropolis, city ​​of London is not free from crime, but effective police work allows all visiting tourists to feel confident in a foreign city. Even in the evening, you shouldn’t be afraid to walk down the street, especially in the Soho area, where a lot of people gather in the evening. However, the outlying areas of the city, such as Williston, are not worth visiting and are generally not visited by tourists. In any case, even in the center of the capital there is no need to let down your vigilance; for example, it is better not to “catch” an illegal taxi on the street.


London Attractions

The Tower and Tower Bridge are the most popular attractions of the city and its symbols. They can tell the best story about the history of London. The oldest fortress, the Tower, is today the historical center of the capital.

There is hardly a single tourist who has not heard about Big Ben - the third tallest clock tower in the world. "Big Ben" is the name of the largest bell on the huge clock of the Palace of Westminster, which weighs 13 tons.

The amazingly beautiful and mesmerizing cathedral church of Westminster Abbey is built in the Gothic style and is located in the area of ​​London called Westminster. In the temple you can see the tombs of the most famous people in England: kings, military leaders, cultural figures.

In the same area is Buckingham Palace, the residence of British monarchs. The most important receptions, official ceremonies and banquets take place here. Each year, the residence is visited by approximately 50,000 guests invited to royal ceremonies and receptions. London's largest private garden extends around Buckingham Palace.

The main museum of Great Britain and one of the largest museums in the world is the British Museum. The main treasure of England is kept here - the Library of the British Museum.

And for dessert - an interesting video about “toy” London:

In what country and where is London located? The answer to this question will not take anyone by surprise. It is the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the largest city located in the British Isles. Currently, the capital is considered one of the global cities exerting political, economic and cultural influence on Europe.

The state of Great Britain unites northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. What country is the city of London in, besides the UK? It turns out that there is a city with that name in Canada and it is currently one of the ten largest cities in this country. London is located in the south of the country, not far from Toronto.

A little about the history of Great Britain and its capital

The history of this country is rich in a variety of important periods and events that have influenced our modern times. Conventionally, the history of the country is divided into two periods:

  • until 1707 - during this era, all kingdoms had their own history;
  • after 1707, the Kingdom of Great Britain was formed, which united Scotland and England, and already in 1800 Ireland joined it.

The official language of the country is English, each kingdom has its own dialects. This unitary state is one of the largest in Europe. In which country is the city whose city begins in 43 AD? Of course, in England. London is one of the oldest European cities.

Initially, it was a small settlement a little more than one and a half kilometers long and less than a kilometer wide. Currently, its area is 1706.8 km 2. From the very beginning it was the most important port. Since 100 AD. e. and to this day the city of London is the capital of Great Britain, as well as the Kingdom of England.

Transport in the country

You already know which country London is located in, and now let’s get acquainted with one of the main symbols - the transport system, which is rightfully considered one of the most developed and best in the world. In the UK, transport networks are located so that the most remote corners of this huge country are within excellent transport accessibility.

Bus services are particularly good in London. These are the famous double-decker buses that operate around the clock, so you can travel at night without any problems. In addition, the city has the oldest metro. Rail transport is also convenient and accessible, and the railways are the oldest in Europe. Five of the largest airports are located in the capital. Seventy international seaports have been built in the country to serve passengers and maritime merchant ships.

Unique historical sights

Literally at every step, tourists can encounter different attractions that bear the imprint of the history of the country of Great Britain. These include the famous Tower of London, where the queen's jewelry is located, St. Paul, who occupied the main place in the life of the country for many centuries in a row. Tower Bridge is the most famous structure of the Victorian era, under which large ships pass on the River Thames. The bridge was built in 1894 and is the main transport artery of the capital. Its upper part is pedestrian and offers beautiful views of the rooftops of London.

In what country is Buckingham Palace located? It is located slightly west of the center of the UK capital. This is the official residence of the Queen. The palace and park contain a large number of works of art, such as the Waterloo Vase.

Nearby is Trafalgar Square, where you can see two of the most recognizable symbols of the country - Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

Westminster Abbey is an architectural monument that was founded in 1065; it is made in the Gothic style. The two western towers of the abbey are a standard of style and beauty of the Gothic Revival.

This is the country in which London is located. There are a huge number of attractions that you can visit for free, such as the British Museum, the Tate (Gallery of Modern Art), the Natural History Museum, and the National Gallery. And an hour and a half drive from the capital is the most mysterious monument - Stonehenge in Great Britain.

Sights of Great Britain

The country is rich in interesting places. Below are presented under one main attraction in different cities of the country:


  • Edinburgh - behind the royal palace is the beautiful Holyrood Park, in the center of which is an extinct volcano called Arthur's Seat. From its top there is a magnificent view of the entire city.
  • Bournemouth has one of the best golden sand beaches in the country.
  • Torquay - next to it is the Kent Cave, which is more than two million years old. It is listed as a National Antiquity Monument and is a complex cave system.

Some interesting facts:

  • Boat races are currently extremely popular among teams in Oxford and Cambridge and are held every year.
  • Left-hand traffic first appeared in this country.
  • The capital has five international airports. Heathrow is the busiest in the world.
  • There is no single version of the constitution in Great Britain.
  • What country is London in? There are several other cities with the same name. They are located in Canada, the USA and other countries.
  • Every day, every Londoner appears on about fifty city CCTV cameras and fifteen photographs taken by tourists.
  • The London Underground is considered the oldest, it opened in 1863.
  • The capital of Great Britain is the first city in history to host the Olympics three times in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
  • There is not a single settlement in the country from which the sea is more than 119 km away.
  • Approximately twenty hidden underground rivers are located in the capital.
  • The first public zoo was opened in Great Britain.
  • The British were the first to use stamps.

Population of the country and capital

Approximately every third resident of the capital was born abroad. About eighty percent of the total population of Great Britain are English. Fifteen are Scots, Irish, and Welsh. The rest are immigrants. Every ten years a census is carried out in the UK. Throughout history, relationships among ethnic groups have been quite complex.

The country ranks honorably third in Europe in terms of population. London, where the main concentration of immigrants from African and Asian countries is located, has the highest density of residents in the country (5173 people/km²). It is inhabited by more than 8.5 million people. About 60% of them are white (of which 45% are British).

Millions of people visit the UK and its capital every year. Up to three hundred languages ​​can be heard on city streets.

In terms of wages, the UK occupies one of the highest positions in Europe. The country has a fair social security system, the economy is developing dynamically and the situation on the labor market is quite stable. British incomes are growing even despite the upcoming changes associated with the procedure for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

The economic leader of this island state is especially popular among labor migrants from around the world. England. In particular, a job in London provides an average income of 4,000 pounds (about 4,500 euros) per month. Of course, we are talking about qualified specialists.

The population of Great Britain in 2019 exceeds 66 million people. According to British National Statistical Office, the employment rate among persons aged 16 to 64 years is 76.1%, that is, about 32.7 million are officially employed. Unemployment is only 4.1% (1.3 million people).

Over the past year, including bonuses, the average weekly income of employees of British companies in nominal terms has increased by 1.3%. Next, we will find out what the minimum and average salaries are in England in 2019, compare the indicators by individual professions and indicate the income tax rates.

According to official information from the British government portal GOV.UK, at the national level the minimum wage in the UK is reviewed annually as of April 1. The hourly rates depend on the age of the specialist. In addition, trainees who combine study and work in England are included in a separate category. For example, these could be UK university students aged 19 years or older in their first year of internship at a local company.

Minimum wage in England in 2019

Age Pounds per hour
25 and older 8,21
21-24 7,70
18-20 6,15
Before 18 4,35
Trainee 3,90

Note that, in comparison with 2018, the minimum wage rate in England for people over 25 years of age increased by 0.38 pounds or 4.6% - from 7.83 to 8.21, and since 2010 the increase was 2.28 pounds . Local experts estimate that British citizens should earn at least £8.45 an hour to meet daily needs. By the way, the government sets itself the task of increasing the minimum hourly wage in the UK to 9 pounds by 2020.

In accordance with British law, the length of the working week in the country cannot exceed 48 hours, and the salary level must be no less than £398.04. In the case of standard employment of 40 hours per week, the income will be 328.4 lbs. Thus, the monthly minimum wage in England in 2019 is equal to £1,423, which is equivalent 1,605 euros. Overall, around 1.4 million people in the UK earn minimum incomes.

Important. Every UK worker can check whether their employer is paying the minimum wage using a special online calculator.

According to information National Statistics Office Great Britain, taking into account bonuses the average salary in England in 2019 is 528 pounds a week 2 288 pounds per month and 27 456 pounds per year, which in euro terms equals 595 , 2 580 And 30 965 respectively. The figures do not include taxes and other mandatory deductions. The average salary of British workers depends largely on age, gender, profession, experience, qualifications, company and city.

Compared to 2018, the average salary in England increased by 12 pounds. In real terms (adjusted for inflation), British incomes rose by 1.3%. The most promising sectors of the UK economy, where wage increases are predicted in 2019, are construction, manufacturing, engineering and hospitality. Men in England earn 17% more than women on average.

According to statistics from the international recruiting agency Monster, depending on length of service, the annual salary in England in 2019 ranges from £20,416 (less than 1 year of experience) to £39,130 ​​(more than 20 years of experience). Companies with up to 10 employees have an average income of £25,072 per year, while those with more than 50,000 employees have an average income of £40,851. The highest salaries in England are recorded in London, Bristol, Cambridge, Manchester and Birmingham, and the lowest in Wigan and Mansfield.

Salaries in England by industry (pounds per year)

    Financial services- 35 800

    Information Technology- 35 176

    Construction- 30 998

    Production- 29 797

    Retail- 26 587

    Education- 25 101

SALARY IN ENGLAND BY PROFESSION*

PROFESSION Pounds per year
Brokers 133 677
Executives and senior managers 107 703
Air transport pilots 90 146
Lawyers 73 425
Doctors 69 463
Tax experts 46 551
Realtors 44 423
Architects 43 029
Mechanical engineers 41 389
Programmers 40 748
Dentists 40 268
Civil Engineers 40 200
Teachers 40 054
Police officers (sergeant and below) 38 720
Accountants 38 692
Teachers 32 524
Electricians 30 345
Midwives 29 529
Social workers 28 745
Nurses 26 252
Carpenters, joiners 24 817
Cooks 17 513
Wipers 17 402
Hairdressers 10 019
Waiters 7 554

Note. *Average salaries in England by occupation are based on a survey of 21,563,000 UK workers conducted by the UK Office for National Statistics.

Payroll taxes in England

The United Kingdom has a progressive income tax rate - from 0 to 45%. Similar to the minimum wage, rates are revised every year. April 1. The amount of income that is not subject to tax is £12,500 per year. This provision does not apply to annual earnings exceeding £123,000.

Income tax in England (UK) in 2019

Annual income (pounds) Tax rate (%)
Up to 12,500 0
From 12,501 to 50,000 20
From 50,001 to 150,000 40
More than 150,001 45

England has an effective system of social benefits and benefits that allow partial compensation of paid taxes on wages.