London is the capital of the United Kingdom and is also the largest and most populous. It is located in the south of the country on the River Thames, approximately 50 miles upstream from where the Thames reaches the North Sea. The size of London has been restricted by strict 'Greenbelt' laws which are aimed at protecting the countryside around the capital. In fact, with improved transport, the capital has over leapt these boundaries and swallows up suburbs and small towns, dominating much of the surrounding area.
London can often appear chaotic as it grew without the imposition of rules and regulations which govern other large cities. Many of the old areas of town are still in use and while tourists may find narrow and cobbled streets quaint, they are impractical for modern motor vehicles to traverse.
London is however full of attractions for the visitor and the resident alike. Tourists flock to see the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and other historical sites and there is a thriving arts scene with many galleries, theatres and festivals all year round.
London's docks were once thriving but the relatively small size of the Thames has meant that larger, more modern ships now have to use Tilbury and Chatham further east. These docks have now been converted into office space, flats, art centres or industrial areas. Despite the decline of the British Empire and with it Britain's influence world-wide, London is still a major international banking and finance centre. Traditionally this business has been located in 'the square mile' which is actually the City of London.
Other areas also have certain characteristics although the lack of clearly definable borders among the urban sprawl has meant that the most fashionable area, the 'West End' or the traditionally working class or real London, the 'East End' no longer exist in real terms. In addition high house prices force out the less well off into more distant suburbs but the affluent are increasingly finding the same suburbs to be desirable as a means of escape from the rigours of London life. This has only served to further mix the makeup of London. |