London (pronunciation (help·info); IPA: /ˈlʌndən/) is the largest urban area and capital of England and the United Kingdom. It is the most populous municipality in the European Union, with an official population of 7,512,400 (as of mid-2006) within the boundaries of Greater London,[2] and 8,278,251 (as of 2001) in the surrounding urban area.[3] The metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of between 12 and 14 million.[4][5] London’s diverse population draws from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions, and over 300 languages are spoken within the city.[7] Its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts has contributed to its status as a major global city.[8]
An important settlement for two millennia, London’s history goes back to its founding by the Romans. Since its settlement, London has been the centre of many important movements and phenomena throughout history, such as the English Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, and the Gothic Revival. London boasts four World Heritage Sites: The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church; the Tower of London; the historic settlement of Greenwich; and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. As a result, the city has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and its popularity has increased over the years due to economic growth.[9]
The city’s core, the ancient City of London, still retains its limited mediaeval boundaries; but since at least the 19th century the name “London” has also referred to the whole metropolis which has developed around it.[10] Today the bulk of this conurbation forms the London region of England[11] and the Greater London administrative area,[12] with its own elected mayor and assembly
April 30, 2008
England (pronounced /ˈɪŋglənd/) (Old English: Englaland, Middle English: Engelond) is the largest, and most populous country[1] [2] of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total population of the United Kingdom,[3] while the mainland territory of England occupies most of the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. Elsewhere, it is bordered by the North Sea, Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, Bristol Channel and English Channel.
England became a unified state in the year 927 and takes its name from the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes who settled there during the 5th and 6th centuries. The capital of England is London, the largest urban area in Great Britain, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most, but not all, measures.[4]
England ranks amongst the world’s most influential and far-reaching centres of cultural development.[5] It is the place of origin of the English language and the Church of England, and English law forms the basis of the legal systems of many countries; in addition, London was the centre of the British Empire, and the country was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.[6] England was the first country in the world to become industrialised.[7] England is home to the Royal Society, which laid the foundations of modern experimental science. England was the world’s first modern parliamentary democracy[8] and consequently many constitutional, governmental and legal innovations that had their origin in England have been widely adopted by other nations.
The Kingdom of England was a separate state, including the Principality of Wales, until 1 May 1707, when the Acts of Union resulted in a political union with the Kingdom of Scotland to create the Kingdom of Great Britain.[
April 30, 2008
