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{{Infobox Settlement|official_name = London|other_name =|native_name = |nickname =|settlement_type = |motto =|image_skyline = Canary-wharf-one.jpg|imagesize = 265px|image_caption = Canary Wharf is the centre of London's modern office towers]|image_map1 =|mapsize1 =|map_caption1 =|image_dot_map =|dot_mapsize =|dot_map_caption =|dot_x = |dot_y =|pushpin_map = |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption =|pushpin_mapsize =|subdivision_type = List of sovereign states|subdivision_name = United Kingdom|subdivision_name1 = [England|subdivision_name2 = [Greater London|subdivision_name3 = [City of London & London borough|subdivision_type4 =|subdivision_name4 =|government_footnotes =|government_type =|leader_title =Regional authority|leader_name = Greater London Authority|leader_name1 = [London Assembly|leader_name2 = [Ken Livingstone|leader_title4 =[Parliament of the United Kingdom
- London Assembly
- European Parliament
[London Assembly constituencies
London (European Parliament constituency)|established_title = Settled by Romans|established_date = as Londinium ca. Anno Domini 50|established_title2 = |established_date2 =|established_title3 = |established_date3 =|area_magnitude = 1 E9|unit_pref = |area_footnotes =|area_total_km2 = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 =|area_total_sq_mi =1.00|area_land_sq_mi =|area_water_sq_mi =|area_water_percent =|area_urban_km2 =|area_urban_sq_mi =|area_metro_km2 =|area_metro_sq_mi =|area_blank1_title =Greater London|area_blank1_km2 =|area_blank1_sq_mi =609|population_as_of =2006|population_footnotes = KS01 Usual resident population: Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas www.statistics.gov.uk World Gazetteer - World: metropolitan areas|population_note =|population_total =circa 9,200 (2005 est.)|population_blank1_title =Greater London|population_blank1 =7,172,091|population_density_blank1_km2 =4761|population_density_blank1_sq_mi=12331|population_metro = 12 to 14 million|population_density_metro_km2 =|population_density_metro_sq_mi =|population_urban =8278251|population_density_urban_km2 =|population_density_urban_sq_mi =|population_blank2_title =Demonym) |population_blank3 = 59.8% [White British
11.4% White Other (United Kingdom Census)
12.1% British Asian
10.1% Black British3.2% British Mixed
2.7% British Chinese or Other ethnic group (United Kingdom Census)|timezone = Greenwich Mean Time|utc_offset = 0|timezone_DST = British Summer Time|utc_offset_DST = +1|latd=51 |latm=30 |lats=28 |latNS=N|longd=00 |longm=07 |longs=41 |longEW=W|elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 24|elevation_ft = 79|postal_code_type = |postal_code =|area_code =|blank_name =|blank_info =|blank1_name =|blank1_info =|website = http://www.london.gov.uk|footnotes =-->London (pronounced ) is the capital city of both the United Kingdom and England. The ancient City of London, to which the name originally belonged, still retains its mediaeval boundaries, but the name "London" has long applied more generally to the whole metropolis which has grown up around it.

An important settlement for around History of London, London is today one of the world's leading business, finance and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, Mass media, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the major Global city.

Inventory of World Cities, GaWC, Loughborough University Retrieved on 2007-08-16;
Sassen, Saskia - The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo. (1991) - Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-07063-6. Retrieved on 2007-08-16;
Global Cities: GaWC Inventory of World Cities 1999 Global cities#GaWC Inventory of World Cities .281999 Edition.29;
Global Cities: GaWC Inventory of World Cities 2004 Global cities#GaWC Leading World Cities .282004 Edition.29

London is the Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits in the European Union, with an official population of 7.5 million (as of mid-2006) and has a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million. Its diverse population draws from a wide range of peoples, cultures and religions, speaking over 300 different languages. Languages spoken in the UK population. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.

It is an international Transport and infrastructure in London hub, with five international airports and a large Port of London. It serves as the largest aviation hub in the world, and its main airport, the multi-terminal Heathrow Airport, carries more international passengers than any other airport in the world.

London is a major tourist destination with four world heritage sites, a number of Royal Parks of London, and numerous iconic landmarks such as the Palace of Westminster, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. Other attractions include famous institutions such as the British Museum and the National Gallery, London, along with a multitude of shopping, nightlife and entertainment venues in the West End of London. London's main geographical feature is the River Thames which runs through the city from the south-west to the east.

Definitions London can be defined in a number of different ways. The London regions of England, also commonly known as Greater London, is the area administered by the Greater London Authority. The urban sprawl of the conurbation—or Greater London Urban Area—covers a roughly similar area, with a slightly larger population. Beyond this is the vast London commuter belt. London Assembly - London in its Regional Setting (PDF) Retrieved on 2007-08-16. At London's core is the small, ancient City of London which is commonly known as "The City" or "Square Mile". Within London, both the City of London and the City of Westminster have City status in the United Kingdom and both the City of London and the remainder of Greater London are Ceremonial counties of England. OPSI - Lieutenancies Act 1997 Retrieved on 2007-08-16. The current area of Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England#Greater London was historic counties of England part of the counties of Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire.Barlow, I., Metropolitan Government, (1991) is the official residence of the Queen of the United Kingdom in London.Forty percent of Greater London is covered by the London postal district.HMSO, The Inner London Letter Post, (1980) The 020 (UK dial code) covers a larger area, similar in size to Greater London, although some outer districts are omitted and some places just outside are included. The area within the orbital M25 motorway is sometimes used to define the "London area"Royal Mail, Address Management Guide, (2004) and the Greater London boundary has been List of Greater London boundary changes in places. OPSI - The Essex, Greater London and Hertfordshire (County and London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 Retrieved on 2007-08-16. Greater London is split for some purposes into Inner London and Outer London. Informally, the city is split into North London, South London, East London, England, West London and often also Central London.

London's metropolitan area grew considerably during the Victorian era and again during the Interwar period. Expansion halted in the 1940s because of World War II and Green Belt (UK) legislation, and the area has been largely static since.Hill, D., Urban Policy and Politics in Britain, (2000) The Metropolitan Police District, History of local government in London and History of transport in London (1933-2003) have varied over time, but currently broadly coincide with the Greater London boundary. OPSI - Greater London Authority Act 1999 Retrieved on 2007-08-16.

Unlike most capital cities, London's status as the capital of the UK has never been granted or confirmed officially—by statute or in written form. London in Photos. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. Its position as the capital has formed through constitutional convention (political custom), making its position as de facto capital a part of the Constitution of the United Kingdom. The capital of England was moved to London from Winchester as the Palace of Westminster developed in the 12th and 13th centuries to become the permanent location of the Noble court, and thus the political capital of the nation. British Archaeology Issue 45, June 1999 Retrieved on 2007-08-16.

The Ancient Rome may have marked the centre of Londinium with the London Stone, still visible on Cannon Street. The coordinates of the nominal centre of London (traditionally considered to be the original Eleanor Cross at Charing Cross, near the junction of Trafalgar Square and Whitehall) are approximately . Trafalgar Square has also become a central point for celebrations and protests. Greater London Authority - Trafalgar Square. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.

{]

City of Westminster

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

London Borough of Wandsworth

London Borough of Lambeth

London Borough of Southwark

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

London Borough of Hackney

London Borough of Islington

London Borough of Camden

London Borough of Brent

London Borough of Ealing

London Borough of Hounslow

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

London Borough of Merton

| style="background:#FFF; padding:0 1em;" class="toccolours"| |

London Borough of Sutton

London Borough of Croydon

London Borough of Bromley

London Borough of Lewisham

London Borough of Greenwich

London Borough of Bexley

London Borough of Havering

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

London Borough of Redbridge

London Borough of Newham

London Borough of Waltham Forest

London Borough of Haringey

London Borough of Enfield

London Borough of Barnet

London Borough of Harrow

London Borough of Hillingdon

|}

Geography and climate Topography and climate {{climate chart||2|8|52|2|8|34|4|11|42|5|13|45|8|17|47|11|20|53|14|23|38|13|23|47|11|19|57|8|15|62|5|11|52|3|9|54|source=Met Office{{cite web| url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/greenwich.html|title=Greenwich 1971–2000 averages |work=Met Office| -->|float=right-->Greater London covers an area of 609 square miles (1,579 square kilometre), making it the 37th largest List of cities by population. World's Largest Urban Areas. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. Its primary geographical feature is the River Thames, a navigable river which crosses the city from the south-west to the east. The Thames Valley is a floodplain surrounded by gently rolling hills such as Parliament Hill, London, Addington Hills, and Primrose Hill. These hills presented no significant obstacle to the growth of London from its origins as a port on the north side of the river, and therefore London is roughly circular.

The Thames was once a much broader, shallower river with extensive marshlands; at high tide, its shores reached five times their current width. London: A History, by Francis Sheppard page 10. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. Since the Victorian era It has been extensively Thames Embankment, and many of its London tributary now flow Subterranean rivers of London. The Thames is a tidal river, and London is vulnerable to flooding. "Flooding" - UK Environment Agency. Retrieved on 2006-06-19. The threat has increased over time due to a slow but continuous rise in Tide level by the slow 'tilting' of Britain (up in the north and down in the south) caused by post-glacier isostatic rebound. "Sea Levels" - UK Environment Agency Retrieved on 2007-08-16. In 1974, a decade of work began on the construction of the Thames Barrier across the Thames at Woolwich to deal with this threat. While the barrier is expected to function as designed until roughly 2030, concepts for its future enlargement or redesign are already being discussed. BBC News: On the rise: The Thames in 2100 Retrieved on 2007-04-19.

London has a temperate Oceanic climate, like much of the British Isles, with regular but generally light precipitation (meteorology) throughout the year—unlike the rest of the UK and even the nearby coast. London is in fact among the driest of Europe's capitals, with water resources per head of population equivalent to Israel. The Impacts of Climate Change on London London.gov.uk. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. The warmest month is July, with an average temperature range at Greenwich of 13.6 Celsius to 22.8 °C (56.5 to 73.0 Fahrenheit). Record high temperatures of up to were recorded in different parts of London on 10 August 2003. August 2003 - hot spell, Met Office. Retrieved on 2007-02-21. The coolest month is January, averaging 2.4 °C to 7.9 °C (35.6 to 46.2 °F). Average annual Precipitation (meteorology) is 583.6 metre (22.98 in), with February on average the driest month. Greenwich 1971–2000 averages, Met Office. Retrieved on 2006-07-15. Snow is relatively uncommon, particularly because Urban heat island can make London up to 5 °C (9 °F) hotter than the surrounding areas in winter. However light snowfall is seen on some days most winters. London is in United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness zone 9, and AHS Heat Zone 2. Story of London. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.{{Infobox Weather] | language = -->|accessdate = 14 August 2007-->

Districts . Hyde Park, London is visible in the centre, with Richmond Park to the south-west (bottom left corner).London's vast urban area is often described using a set of district names (e.g. Bloomsbury, London, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Whitechapel, Fitzrovia). These are either informal designations, or reflect the names of superseded parishes and city wards. Such names have remained in use through tradition, each referring to a neighbourhood with its own distinctive character, but often with no modern official boundaries.

One area of London which does have a strict definition is the City of London (usually just called The City). London is one of the world's three largest financial centres (alongside New York City and Tokyo) with a dominant role in several international financial markets, including cross border bank lending, international bond issuance and trading, foreign-exchange trading, over-the-counter derivatives, fund management and foreign equities trading. London: Centre of International Finance. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. It also has the world's largest insurance market, the leading exchange for dealing in non-precious metals, the largest spot gold and gold lending markets, the largest ship broking market, and more foreign banks and investment houses than any other centre. London: Center of International Finance. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. The City has its own governance and boundaries, giving it a status as the only completely autonomous local authority in London. London's new financial and commercial hub is the London Docklands area to the east of the City, dominated by the Canary Wharf complex. Other businesses locate in the City of Westminster, the home of the Government of the United Kingdom and the famous Westminster Abbey.

The West End of London is London's main entertainment and shopping district, with locations such as Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus acting as tourist magnets. The West London area is known for fashionable and expensive residential areas such as Notting Hill, Knightsbridge and Chelsea, London—where properties can sell for tens of millions of pounds. Guardian Unlimited Money. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. The average price for all properties in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is £894,000 with similar average outlay in most of Central London. Price of Properties. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.

The eastern side of London contains the East End of London and East London. The East End is the area closest to the original Port of London, known for its high immigrant population, as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London. The surrounding East London, England area saw much of London's early industrial development; now, brownfield land sites throughout the area are being redeveloped as part of the Thames Gateway including the London Riverside and Lower Lea Valley, which is being developed into the Olympic Park, London for the London 2012 Olympic bid.

Architecture on the River Thames at night. at night

The density of London varies, with high employment density in the Central London, high residential densities in inner London and lower densities in the Outer London. In the dense areas, most of the concentration is achieved with medium-rise and high-rise buildings. London's skyscrapers such as the famous 30 St Mary Axe, Tower 42 and One Canada Square are usually found in the two financial districts, the City of London and Canary Wharf.

In recent years, the development of Tall buildings in London has been encouraged in the London Plan, which will lead to the erection of new skyscrapers over the next few years as London goes through a high-rise boom, particularly in the City of London and Canary Wharf. The 72-storey, 310 m "Shard London Bridge" by London Bridge station, the 288 m Bishopsgate Tower and around 30 other skyscrapers over 150 m are either proposed or approved and could transform the city's skyline.

Other notable modern buildings include City Hall (London) in Southwark with its distinctive oval shape, the British Library in Somers Town, London/Kings Cross, London, and the Great Court of the British Museum. What was formerly the Millennium Dome is now used as the cover of an entertainment district known as The O2, next to the Thames, to the east of Canary Wharf. The disused (but soon to be rejuvenated) 1939 Battersea Power Station by the river in the south-west is a local landmark, while some railway termini are excellent examples of Victorian architecture, most notably St Pancras railway station and Paddington railway station (at least internally). Paddington Station. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. Another major local landmark is The London Ark by Ralph Erskine (architect), in Hammersmith., one of Londons many shopping streets.London is too large to be overwhelmingly characterised by any particular architectural style, having accumulated its buildings over a long period of time and drawing on an inexhaustible range of influences, although it is mainly brick built, most commonly a warm orange red, often with carvings and white plaster molding (decorative). London: architecture. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. Many areas of the city are characterised by white stucco or whitewashed buildings. Few structures pre-date the Great Fire of London of 1666, except for a few trace Ancient Rome remains, the Tower of London and a few scattered Tudor style architecture survivors in the City. A majority of buildings in London date from the Edwardian or Victorian architecture periods. London: architecture. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.

A great many monuments pay homage to people and events in the city. The Monument in the City of London provides views of the surrounding area while commemorating the Great Fire of London which originated nearby. Marble Arch and Wellington Arch, at the north and south ends of Park Lane (road) respectively, have royal connections, as do the Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall in Kensington. Nelson's Column is a nationally-recognised monument in Trafalgar Square, providing a focal point for the whole central area.

Environment Often called "The Green City," London has a number of open spaces. Green City Walks in London. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. The largest of these in the central area are the Royal Parks of London of Hyde Park, London and its neighbours Kensington Gardens and Holland Park at the western edge of central London, and Regent's Park on the northern edge. This park is located near the tourist attractions of Baker Street, where the fictional Sherlock Holmes lived, and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Closer to central London are the smaller Royal Parks of Green Park and St. James's Park. Hyde Park in particular is popular for London#Sports and sometimes hosts open-air concerts.

A number of large parks lie outside the city centre, including the remaining Royal Parks of Greenwich Park to the south-east, and Bushy Park and Richmond Park to the south-west. Primrose Hill to the north of Regent's Park is a popular spot to view the city skyline. Some more informal, semi-natural open spaces also exist, including the Hampstead Heath of North London. This incorporates Kenwood House, the former stately home and a popular location in the summer months where classical music concerts are held by the lake, attracting thousands of people every weekend to enjoy the music, scenery and fireworks. In the extreme South East of Greater London, the London Boroughs of London Borough of Bexley and London Borough of Bromley are noted for their open spaces and extensive wooded areas.

History Early London {{imagestack| is one of London's oldest and most important buildings|right-->Although there is some evidence of scattered Brython settlement in the area, the first major settlement was founded by the Roman Empire in AD 43, following the Roman invasion of Britain. This settlement was called Londinium, commonly believed to be the origin of the present-day name, although a Celtic origin is also possible.

The first London lasted for just seventeen years. Around AD 61, the Iceni tribe of Celts led by Queen Boudica stormed London, burning it to the ground. The next, heavily-planned incarnation of the city prospered and superseded Colchester as the capital of the Roman Britain of Britannia in AD 100. At its height in the 2nd century AD, Roman London had a population of around 60,000. However, by the 3rd century AD, the city started a slow decline due to trouble in the Roman Empire, and by the 5th century AD, it was largely abandoned. Historical Overview of London Population. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.

By 600 AD, the Anglo-Saxons had created a new settlement (Lundenwic) about 1 km upstream from the old Roman city, around what is now Covent Garden. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. There was probably a harbour at the mouth of the River Fleet for fishing and trading, and this trading grew until disaster struck in 851 AD, when the city's defences were overcome by a massive Viking raid and it was razed to the ground. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. A Viking occupation twenty years later was short-lived, and Alfred the Great, the new King of England, established peace and moved the settlement within the defensive walls of the old Roman city (then called Lundenburgh). The original city became Ealdwic ("old city"), a name surviving to the present day as Aldwych.

Subsequently, under the control of various English kings, London once again prospered as an international trading centre and political arena. However, Viking raids began again in the late 10th century, and reached a head in 1013 when they besieged the city under Danish King Canute the Great and forced English King Ethelred the Unready to flee. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. In a retaliatory attack, Ethelred's army achieved victory by pulling down London Bridge with the Danish garrison on top, and English control was re-established.

Canute took control of the English throne in 1017, controlling the city and country until 1042, when his death resulted in a reversion to Anglo-Saxons control under his pious step-son Edward the Confessor, who re-founded Westminster Abbey and the adjacent Palace of Westminster. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. By this time, London had become the largest and most prosperous city in England, although the official seat of government was still at Winchester, Hampshire. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.

Norman and medieval London {{imagestack| destroyed many parts of the city in 1666|right-->Following a victory at the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, the then Duke of Normandy, was crowned King of England in the newly-finished Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. William granted the citizens of London special privileges, while building a castle in the south-east corner of the city to keep them under control. This castle was expanded by later kings and is now known as the Tower of London, serving first as a Palace and later as a prison.

In 1097, William II of England began the building of Westminster Hall, close by the abbey of the same name. The hall proved the basis of a new Palace of Westminster, the prime royal residence throughout Middle Ages. Westminster became the seat of the royal court and government (persisting until the present day), while its distinct neighbour, the City of London, was a centre of trade and commerce and flourished under its own unique administration, the City of London Corporation. Eventually, the adjacent cities grew together and formed the basis of modern central London, superseding Winchester as capital of England in the 12th century.

London grew in wealth and population during the Middle Ages. In 1100 its population was around 18,000, by 1300 it had grown to nearly 100,000. Historical Overview of London Population. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. However disaster struck during the Black Death in the mid-14th century, when London lost nearly a third of its population. Historical Overview of London Population. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. Apart from the invasion of London during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381, London remained relatively untouched by the various civil wars during the Middle Ages, such as the First Barons' War and Second Barons' War Barons' Wars and the Wars of the Roses.

After the successful defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, political stability in England allowed London to grow further. In 1603, James VI of Scotland came to the throne of England, essentially uniting the two countries. His enactment of harsh anti-Catholicism laws made him unpopular, and an Assassination was made on 5 November 1605—the famous Gunpowder Plot. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.

Black Death caused extensive problems for London in the early 17th century, culminating in the Great Plague of London in 1665–1666. This was the last major outbreak in Europe, possibly thanks to the disastrous fire of 1666. The Great Fire of London broke out in the original City and quickly swept through London's wooden buildings, destroying large swathes of the city. Rebuilding took over ten years. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.

Rise of modern London of World War IIFollowing London's growth in the 18th century, it became the world's largest city from about 1831 to 1925. Largest Cities Through History Retrieved on 2007-08-16. This growth was aided from 1836 by London's first railways, which put countryside towns within easy reach of the city. The rail network expanded very rapidly, and caused these places to grow while London itself expanded into surrounding fields, merging with neighbouring settlements such as Kensington. Rising traffic congestion on city centre roads led to the creation of the world's first metro system—the London Underground—in 1863, driving further expansion and urbanisation.http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/1604.aspx London Underground: History], Transport for London. Retrieved on 2006-09-17. Because of this rapid growth, London became one of the first cities in human history to reach a population of one million, and was the first ever to surpass five million.

London's local government system struggled to cope with the rapid growth, especially in providing the city with adequate Infrastructure in London. Between 1855 and 1889, the Metropolitan Board of Works oversaw infrastructure expansion. It was then replaced by the County of London, overseen by the London County Council, London's first elected city-wide administration.

The Blitz and other bombing by the Germany Luftwaffe during World War II killed over 30,000 Londoners Air Raid Precautions Home Front Website. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. and flattened large tracts of housing and other buildings across London. The rebuilding during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s was characterised by a wide range of architectural styles and has resulted in a lack of architectural unity that has become part of London's character. In 1965 London's political boundaries were expanded to take into account the growth of the urban area outside the County of London's borders. The expanded area was called Greater London and was administered by the Greater London Council.

In the decades following World War II, large-scale immigration from Commonwealth of Nations countries and beyond transformed London into one of the most racially and culturally diverse cities in Europe. Integration of the new immigrants was not always smooth, with major race riots in Notting Hill and Brixton, but was certainly smoother than in other English regions and largely lacking in widespread support for far right organisations, unlike its European or American contemporaries.

An economic revival from the 1980s onwards re-established London's position as a pre-eminent international centre. However, as the seat of government and the most important city in the UK, it has been subjected to bouts of terrorism. Provisional Irish Republican Army bombers sought to pressure the British government into negotiations over Northern Ireland, frequently disrupting city activities with bomb threats—some of which were carried out—until their 1997 cease-fire. More recently, a 7 July 2005 London bombings were carried out by Islamic extremist suicide bombers on the public transport network on 7 July 2005—just 24 hours after London was 2012 Summer Olympics bids the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Government Local government at night, headquarters of the Greater London AuthorityThe administration of London takes place in two tiers—a city-wide, strategic tier and a local tier. City-wide administration is coordinated by the Greater London Authority (GLA), while local administration is carried out by 33 smaller authorities. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.

The GLA is responsible for London Plan, Metropolitan Police Authority, the London Fire Brigade, most aspects of Transport for London and London Development Agency. It consists of two elected parts—the Mayor of London, who has executive powers, and the London Assembly, who scrutinize the Mayor's decisions and can accept or reject his budget proposals each year. The GLA is a recent organisation, having been set up in 2000 to replace the similar Greater London Council (GLC) which had been abolished in 1986. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. The headquarters of the GLA and the Mayor of London is at City Hall London.

The Mayor of London is Ken Livingstone, who is in his second term of office. He was elected in 2000 as an independent candidate and again in 2004 as a Labour Party (UK) candidate. Ken Livingstone was also the leader of the GLC when it was abolished in 1986.

The 33 local authorities are the 32 London boroughs and the City of London. History and general information. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. They are responsible for local services not overseen by the GLA, such as local planning, schools, Social work, local roads and refuse collection. The London boroughs each have a council which is elected every four years by local residents. The City of London does not have a conventional local authority, but is governed by the historic City of London Corporation which is elected by both residents and businesses, and which has existed more or less unchanged since the Middle Ages. The head of the Corporation is the Lord Mayor of London, which is a different position from that of Mayor of London.

The City of London also has its own police force: The City of London Police, which is independent of the Metropolitan Police Service which covers the rest of Greater London.

Health services in London are managed by the national government through the National Health Service, which is controlled and administered in London by a single NHS Strategic Health Authority. Strategic Health Authorities > Map Search {London}, National Health Service. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.

National government at duskLondon is the home of the Government of the United Kingdom which is located around the Palace of Westminster in Westminster. Many government departments are located close to Parliament, particularly along Whitehall, including the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street.

The British Parliament is often referred to as the "Mother of Parliaments" (although this sobriquet was first applied to England itself by John Bright) because it has been the model for most other parliamentary systems, and its Acts have created many other parliaments. Many nations with parliaments have to some degree emulated the British "three-tier" model. Most countries in Europe and the Commonwealth of Nations have similarly organised parliaments with a largely ceremonial head of state who formally opens and closes parliament, a large elected lower house and a smaller, upper house.

London is represented in the national British House of Commons by 74 Member of Parliament (MPs) who correspond to local parliamentary United Kingdom constituencies. History and general information . Retrieved on 2007-08-17. For a list of London constituencies, see List of Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London. Of these 74 MPs, 44 are from the Labour Party (UK), 21 are Conservative Party (UK), 8 are Liberal Democrats and one is from the RESPECT The Unity Coalition party.

Economy , in the City of London at night.London is a major centre for International Business and commerce and is one of three "command centres" for The Global Economy (along with New York City and Tokyo). London is the world's second largest financial centre after New York and has the 6th largest city economy in the world, larger than Osaka but smaller than Paris. As Europe's second largest city economy, year-by-year London generates approximately 20% of the UK's Gross Domestic Product, p8, Oxford Economic Forecasting on behalf of the Corporation of London. (Figure uses 2002 prices.) Published November 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-19. (or $446 billion in 2005); while the economy of the London metropolitan area (the largest in Europe)See: List of metropolitan areas in the European Union by GRP generates approximately 30% of UK's GDP (or an estimated $669 billion in 2005.)" {{Infobox Settlement|official_name = London|other_name =|native_name = |nickname =|settlement_type = |motto =|image_skyline = Canary-wharf-one.jpg|imagesize = 265px|image_caption = Canary Wharf is the centre of London's modern office towers]|image_map1 =|mapsize1 =|map_caption1 =|image_dot_map =|dot_mapsize =|dot_map_caption =|dot_x = |dot_y =|pushpin_map = |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption =|pushpin_mapsize =|subdivision_type = List of sovereign states|subdivision_name = United Kingdom|subdivision_name1 = [England|subdivision_name2 = [Greater London|subdivision_name3 = [City of London & London borough|subdivision_type4 =|subdivision_name4 =|government_footnotes =|government_type =|leader_title =Regional authority|leader_name = Greater London Authority|leader_name1 = [London Assembly|leader_name2 = [Ken Livingstone|leader_title4 =[Parliament of the United Kingdom
- London Assembly
- European Parliament
[London Assembly constituencies
London (European Parliament constituency)|established_title = Settled by Romans|established_date = as Londinium ca. Anno Domini 50|established_title2 = |established_date2 =|established_title3 = |established_date3 =|area_magnitude = 1 E9|unit_pref = |area_footnotes =|area_total_km2 = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 =|area_total_sq_mi =1.00|area_land_sq_mi =|area_water_sq_mi =|area_water_percent =|area_urban_km2 =|area_urban_sq_mi =|area_metro_km2 =|area_metro_sq_mi =|area_blank1_title =Greater London|area_blank1_km2 =|area_blank1_sq_mi =609|population_as_of =2006|population_footnotes = KS01 Usual resident population: Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas www.statistics.gov.uk World Gazetteer - World: metropolitan areas|population_note =|population_total =circa 9,200 (2005 est.)|population_blank1_title =Greater London|population_blank1 =7,172,091|population_density_blank1_km2 =4761|population_density_blank1_sq_mi=12331|population_metro = 12 to 14 million|population_density_metro_km2 =|population_density_metro_sq_mi =|population_urban =8278251|population_density_urban_km2 =|population_density_urban_sq_mi =|population_blank2_title =Demonym) |population_blank3 = 59.8% [White British
11.4% White Other (United Kingdom Census)
12.1% British Asian
10.1% Black British3.2% British Mixed
2.7% British Chinese or Other ethnic group (United Kingdom Census)|timezone = Greenwich Mean Time|utc_offset = 0|timezone_DST = British Summer Time|utc_offset_DST = +1|latd=51 |latm=30 |lats=28 |latNS=N|longd=00 |longm=07 |longs=41 |longEW=W|elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 24|elevation_ft = 79|postal_code_type = |postal_code =|area_code =|blank_name =|blank_info =|blank1_name =|blank1_info =|website = http://www.london.gov.uk|footnotes =-->London (pronounced ) is the capital city of both the United Kingdom and England. The ancient City of London, to which the name originally belonged, still retains its mediaeval boundaries, but the name "London" has long applied more generally to the whole metropolis which has grown up around it.

An important settlement for around History of London, London is today one of the world's leading business, finance and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, Mass media, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the major Global city.

Inventory of World Cities, GaWC, Loughborough University Retrieved on 2007-08-16;
Sassen, Saskia - The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo. (1991) - Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-07063-6. Retrieved on 2007-08-16;
Global Cities: GaWC Inventory of World Cities 1999 Global cities#GaWC Inventory of World Cities .281999 Edition.29;
Global Cities: GaWC Inventory of World Cities 2004 Global cities#GaWC Leading World Cities .282004 Edition.29