Otázka O4 - London

od Kateřiny Štolové

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom. It is situated in southeast England along the Themes River. The climate is generally mild and damp, altrough it can be unpredictable.

London was founded by the Romans in 43 A.D. and was called Londinium. In 61 A.D. the town was burnt down and when it was rebuilt it was surrounded by the wall. That area within the wall is now called the City of London.

When William the Conqueror conquered England in 1066 he made London his base. He built Tower of London and was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

During the Middle Ages many churches and monasteries were built and London began to expand beyond the City walls. Even today, Westminster Abbey and the Hauses of Parliament, as well as all the shops, cafés, theathres and cinemas of the West End, are in the City of Westminster and not in the City of London.

In 16th century London became an important economic and financial centre. The Londoners of the Elisabethan period built the first theatres. 1666was the year of the Great Fire of London, which destroyed most of the city. After the fire of many buildings were rebuilt in a much safer way.

In 19th century London was one of the most important centres of Industrial Rvolution. Today London is one of the world´s major financial and cultural capitals and it is a cosmopolitan city with population of abouth 7 milion people.

The historical centre of London is now relatively small area still known as a City. It is one of the world´s leading financial centres. The most prominent landmark in the City is Saint Paul´s Cathedral designed by English architect Christopher Wren to replace the original church, which were destroyed during the Great Fire of London.

At the City´s eastern boundary is the Tower of London where the Crown imprisoned manyy important figures. Its function now is primarily ceremonial, altrough it still quards the Crown Jewels.

Next part of London is the City of Westminster. At the hart of it is Westminster Abbey, founded by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century and rebuilt in 13th century.

It has always benn closery associated with the monarchy and is used for such state occasions as coronations and royal funerals. It is also a giant mausoleum, and more then 3000 notable people are buried there. Practicaly across the street are Hauses of Parliament with tower clock famous for its masive bell called Big Ben. The bells of Big Ben have been broadcast as a feature of BBC´s daily time signal since 1924. Farther west is the monarch´s permanent residence in London, Buckingham Palace. To the north, Trafalgar Square links the political and religios section of Westminster to the rest of west London. This Square was built in honour of British naval commander Nelson, whose monument is at the square´s center. Some significant buildings, such as the National Gallery, are in the square.

To the west and north of Trafalgar square is the West End, which is usually regarded as the centre of town because it is the hart of London´s shopping and entertainment. The busiest shopping area is Oxford Street. The East End, beyond the City of London and the Tower, has long been the home of London´s docks and immigrants. It has frequently been characterized by slums, poverty and crime. This is the area where the criminal Jack the Ripper prowled.