pronounced commonly referred town heart southern alps region northern italy situated river alpine valley popular winter sport resort known skiing trails scenery accommodation shops ski scene jet set aristocratic european crowd middle ages fell jurisdiction holy roman empire conquered republic venice spent history austrian rule briefly undergoing territorial changes napoleon returned austria held nineteenth century notable regional centre crafts local products appreciated early british german tourism emerged late nineteenth century town crafting wood furniture production iron copper glass items today local economy tourism particularly winter season population town typically increases built site thirteenth sixteenth century churches home parish town contains museum established mario modern art museum museum unable ahead scheduled winter olympics second world war hosted winter olympics subsequently number world winter sports events town home league professional ice hockey team start end point annual gold cup race films shot town notably pink eyes cliffhanger year end july early august hosts festival academy attracts world history discovery primitive tomb high mountains south presence man area far 6th millennium 6th century writing introduced province possession remained early 15th century 3rd century romans people giving area meaning wide today middle ages 19th century historical information exists region fall roman empire period assumed invasions inhabitants fled valleys middle ages fell jurisdiction holy roman empire village conquered republic venice conquered austria people swore loyalty emperor subsequently fell treaty signed napoleon initially permitted austria retain added department following attack town burned french short lived austria reclaimed remained austrian possession battles venice ceded italy town gained reputation health resort reportedly free diseases cholera forest property woods consortium remaining possession aside home ethnic german speaking minority german speaking territory original language romance language town came austrian monarchy austrian region compromise head district province coat arms features tower flanked trees headed eagle flying 20th century italy entered world war male inhabitants fighting austria russian male inhabitants tried fight italian troops outnumbered italians retreat austrian recovery town occupied following italy victory world war finally given italy war city renamed curtain valley adopting villages territory located middle valley elite destination british tourists late 18th early 20th century world war popular resort upper class italians chosen venue winter olympics place world war thanks finally hosting winter olympics grew world famous resort substantial increase tourists resident population people temporary population peak periods christmas holidays mid august 21st century politics town voted october region join neighbouring region alto motivated improved cultural ties small speaking community south attraction lower taxes referendum executive final decision matter taken law italian parliament consent regional councils alto european elections leading party democratic_party vote followed autonomous geography climate situated centre valley del town river flows directly town mountains area described soaring like massive coral reef ripped sea conifers laced snow town positioned south valley north east west originally consisted numerous isolated villages 1950s grew rapidly result tourism remote villages remained isolated main town san kilometres south surrounding mountains west north northeast east south town centre located elevation metres highest summit towers metres numerous fast flowing rivers streams small lakes territory fill particularly summer snow melt season fauna include deer occasion wolves bears contains following parishes names col climate climate typically alpine short summers long winters snowy unsettled temperate late december early january italy lowest recorded temperatures found region especially pass border provinces seasons generally rainy cold demographics population grew steadily time annexed italian state 1960s underwent sharp decline inhabitants year period signs recovery years inhabitants seventh populous place province following santa deaths resulting overall reduction inhabitants town families consisted average persons presence foreign residents fairly recent phenomenon accounting small number inhabitants case fairly small town resident foreigners town representing total population compares town entire province region language addition italian majority population speak fluent local variant recognized language dialect comes latin like italian french spanish resembles spoken switzerland maintaining local language spoken older people younger inhabitants symbol attachment local mountainous heritage community proud culture continues survive despite increasing pressure faced recent years importance beginning recognized local authorities december decided use signs names streets villages compliance regulations protection linguistic minorities force economy nineteenth century notable regional centre crafts growing importance sector led austrian ministry commerce authorize opening state industrial school later art institute institution teaching wood metal work admitted boys age years study local products appreciated early british german tourism emerged late nineteenth century local items said mythical qualities austrian journalist example stated according legend local man sword flexible bend tie allow town crafting wood furniture production iron copper glass items today local economy tourism particularly winter season population town typically increases lonely planet refers italy famous fashionable expensive ski resorts boasts class facilities skiing skating climbing superb hiking home prestigious names fashion including shops craft stores home stores specializing equipment symbol shopping remains founded june shopping centre trades found newspaper vendors toys gift shops skiing stores building divided levels raised plan balcony cooperative founded italian peninsula currently provides employment approximately people star majestic grand hotel james_bond fame years old previously austro hungarian hunting lodge contains rooms hotels note include hotel hotel montana hotel hotel villa guide alpine mountain vicinity including son contains restaurants landmarks near bridge river town hall palace style houses popular landmarks important legal buildings council local villages stood town merged trained community gave administrative orders time center administration currently contains offices modern art museum mario building contains office sci skiing school museums covers museums museum museum mario modern art museum museum established museum collection hundreds fossils colors shapes sizes found gathered photographer exhibits found tell time high mountain peaks large tropical sea populated marine invertebrates fish museum museum situated old restored venetian confluence rivers north town objects related everyday life rural pastoral practices vicinity agricultural tools techniques materials processing clothing typical valley etc mario modern art museum art gallery established preserves works major italian artists twentieth century including hosts temporary exhibitions topics great war tour stretches mountains includes great war open air museum trenches tunnels winter accessible easier visit foot mountain bike summer months churches built site thirteenth sixteenth century churches home parish high wooden altar crowned figure christ carved ceiling christ temple philip james madonna built site ruined fourteenth century building façade features intricate depicting madonna interior decorated wealth statues paintings marble gold leaf cappella chapel lady completed decorated artist small church particular interest given reconstruction sculpture cappella village completed interior renovated fire damage caused napoleonic troops include wooden christ catherine richly worked altar known cemetery shrine located altitude metres locality small church cemetery built military cemetery 5th alpine group shrine built memorial thousands lost lives world war massive square tower stone clearly visible entire valley centre structure rests body general awarded gold medal military castles forts small fortress situated consists low white outer walls white corner towers small chapel dedicated holy trinity construction castle began august works interrupted building remained unfinished burned french revolutionary troops invaded castle undergone restoration fortress constructed austro hungarian period lies dominating passage south alto large complex austrian fortifications built italian border late nineteenth early twentieth century rendered bombing italians july ruins remained state disrepair advent 21st century restored local administration assistance family fort houses museum containing relics related world war known medieval fort rock valley river little north town del believed erected conflict seventh eighth centuries aim dominating valleys converge beneath corner stone probably dates 11th century held germans 12th century 13th century seat passed venetian hands finally eighteenth century castle lost importance gradually auctioned order emperor joseph today fort completely disappeared remnants wine foundations remain largely covered vegetation culture long tradition hosting writers intellectuals poets editors world spent town took cultural life city years led continuous activity literature festivals book presentations like mountain books held twice year festival attracted writers peter cameron music important locals guitar found houses young musicians found walking streets year end july early august hosts festival academy held honour celebrated italian pianist died festival attracts young world able benefit classes world leading performers festival bands annual musical event featuring brass bands italy week august band traditional costumes central attraction dating hosted miss contest won traditionally festivals ascension trinity philip james youth town climb hills sunset light fires wife lost filled manuscripts paris took time began writing year writing season dominant religion roman catholicism religious minorities mainly result recent immigration small community orthodox christians muslims congregation witnesses headquarters surroundings location number movies including mountain climbing scenes cliffhanger pink resort primary area location shooting western great silence resort represent utah winter major location james_bond film eyes aside roger moore james_bond meeting character john peak stay hotel number action sequences shot town involving bond john competes battle famous ski chase sequences film bond escape crew assassins spike wheeled route taking run actual town centre scene attack bond partner attempted run bond eliminate putting window local sports host town winter olympics winter olympics scheduled held cancelled world war alpine world skiing championships held championships withdrawn region lost bid winter olympics calgary canada winter olympics france town home professional ice hockey team currently playing country division start end point annual gold cup race historic event production cars public roads town hosted red bull road rage offers excellent skiing facilities thanks central position resorts area ski ski lifts guaranteed snow coverage december april ski schools cross country instructors ski area spectacular views valley suitable levels including children area offers challenging opportunities altitude ski runs longest spectacular ski run area starts refuge height reached cable car facilities exist cross country skiing including long stretch old railway line opportunities participate winter sports ski extreme skiing summer months sports include rock climbing tennis golf swimming ice skiing transport airport built winter olympics currently closed town bus service connecting centre surrounding villages cable car lifts nearest airports serving venice distance venice polo airport reached quarter hours road railway station south east rail connections venice bus service total journey time venice half hours direct bus links venice railway stations coordinated arrivals departures trains principal intermediate station narrow gauge railway line electrified sub station established line closed february regional governments alto announced commission feasibility study build new line notable people attracted distinguished guests inspiring creative work include italian author author farewell arms arrived area young ambulance driver notable visitors include john ball irish naturalist climbed italian italian born italian austrian paul austrian frequent visitors include italian businessman racing driver born journalist writer distinguished younger brother competed winter olympics participated winter olympics local citizens include painter international relations twin towns sister cities italy march pakistan


steep steep welsh old english later english island lying bristol channel island covers acres high tide expanding acres mean low water highest point metres mean sea level lies historic boundaries somerset forms north somerset april april administered nearby flat island welsh wales limestone island rises feet serves wind wave break upper reaches bristol channel island exception protected nature reserve site special scientific interest large bird population plants including wild signal station island roman times human early iron age 6th century home small 12th 13th centuries inn built holidays 19th century bird sanctuary established leased charitable owned kenneth memorial trust 1860s island fortified inch rifled muzzle forts coastal defence bristol channel abandoned infrastructure reused world war mark vii inch breech loading guns search lights installed enable movement materials soldiers indian army service corps initially installed cable operated railway geology ecology island formed limestone described continuation hills dip different angle steep dip degrees north degrees south dip angles degrees created final phases near end period million years ago island rises feet surrounding sea covers acres high tide low tide expands acres tidal range feet second bay eastern canada caves island pot holes metres deep surrounding sea bed believed remnants collapsed cave systems caves islands cliffs different levels caves current inter tidal zone water table producing high cliffs water line thousands years ago steep protected nature reserve site special scientific interest having taken place large bird population particularly european herring lesser black backed small population deer plateau island layer soil inches inches deep red colour veins iron rock arrived sand particles inches diameter island site wild grow damaged fungus wild introduced island steep possibly monks brought mediterranean romans common golden horn wild reptiles island slow worms history prehistoric roman earliest sign human activity island prehistoric red deer discovered cave exploration worked uncovered excavations carried roman remains possibly signal station identified island electrical resistance survey accurate exploration interpretation site difficult reused builders victorian era world war carved stone head found island likely celtic head british era iron age addition cooking roman era luxury items identified including style dating southern spain fragments pottery box tiles identified signifying presence heating system possibly bath house roman coins reigns found religious foundations according legend recorded john 16th century saint author lived steep 6th century arrived steep visiting friend saint lived flat supposedly left island pirates carried servant furniture abbot took refuge steep summer carried raids coast somerset according anglo saxon chronicle end 12th century small regular michael island building fully excavated measured feet long feet wide structures identified date original foundation unclear early 13th century patron william family patrons grand daughter married lord robert acquired island declining led abandoned monks returning blue memorial stone abbey cross found fortification island incorporated leading naming battery ownership island held association local family granted henry 3rd earl lincoln mechanism unclear passed berkeley family berkeley second baron berkeley holding site 14th 15th centuries lived ruined buildings rebuilt island held james butler 4th earl exercised margaret years following ownership variety estates including steep attached disputed 16th century edward 1st duke somerset took lost large estates including steep allied descendants recovered estates owning 17th century activity steep employment fishermen estate sold edward appears auctioned decree court years later possibly difficulties maintaining sea defenses somerset coast disputed light outstanding estates including steep sold philip bristol descendants held years granddaughter married family john chief justice court common pleas member parliament ownership probably new cottage built steep fishermen built stones ruined island sold according sources cousin john named william sources suggest solicitor super mare named john baker island leased colonel house established inn sailors inn run harris family tobacco bought ships claimed island outside jurisdiction men court case harris family inn run davies offered fishing shooting boating holidays landing island easier new pier built close inn clergyman john voluntarily population island neighbouring flat created bristol channel mission order serve sailing vessels bristol channel mission later mission provides ministerial services sailors ports fort steep flat fortified 1860s defence invasion form line defences known forts built channel protect approaches bristol cardiff island fortified following visit queen_victoria prince albert france concerned strength french_navy royal commission defence united_kingdom direction lord recommended fortification coast island formed strategic coastal defence system construction began completed john perry super mare work involved creation perimeter road summit plateau lime manufacture lime mortar build barracks gun ammunition stores concrete gun called summit battery laboratory battery garden battery battery barracks designated grade listed buildings facilities installed included master gunners house small inn water tank holding imperial gallons gal water tank beneath barracks collects roof brick tank metres long metres wide metres high vaulted roof armaments included inch rifled muzzle iii spread batteries later replaced armstrong inch guns gun batteries scheduled monuments remains group brick built blocks test firing hms arrogant arrogant class cruiser rudder rock battery showed fixed gun steep sites susceptible attack modern warships site longer active military control island maintained leased james family test long range gun engine early aircraft guided anti ship weapon took place steep world wars facilities updated world war world war island admiralty station war returned carry farming fishing played host occasional tourists world war search light batteries built steep island warden harry cox developed island bird sanctuary appointed supported local defence volunteers super mare battery soldiers indian army service corps transport guns equipment steep cliffs armament included mark vii inch breech loading guns taken world war naval vessels scrapped included lewis automatic machine guns air attack garden battery built victorian stone gun engineers royal pioneer corps improved infrastructure including sheep feed soldiers case fever shipping drinking water south wales enable movement equipment engineers built new linked plateau cable operated railway centimetres gauge lines captured germans world war steep batteries connected underwater telegraph cable fort batteries parts cable stolen scrap end world war post war island leased steep trust supported local organisations somerset archaeological natural history society bristol society mid somerset bristol folk house archaeological club repaired buildings established bird ringing programme lease expired taken kenneth memorial trust charity formed memory broadcaster naturalist kenneth trust purchased island mission statement trust protect preserve enhance benefit public landscape flora fauna natural beauty scientific interest island steep county north somerset advance education public natural sciences visits island trust runs day long boat trips super mare block use provide visitor facilities bollywood film set partially filmed island


london london capital populous city england great_britain united_kingdom river_thames south east island great_britain london major settlement founded romans named london ancient core city london largely retains square mile km2 medieval boundaries 19th century london referred metropolis core forms county greater london governed mayor london london assembly historically split middlesex essex surrey kent london leading global city arts commerce education entertainment fashion finance healthcare media professional services research development tourism transport world leading financial centres fifth sixth largest metropolitan area world london world cultural capital world visited city measured international arrivals world largest city airport system measured passenger traffic london world leading investment destinations hosting international retailers ultra high net worth individuals city london universities form largest concentration higher education europe report placed world university rankings according report london ranks world software development design shares position technology readiness london city host modern summer olympic games times london diverse range peoples cultures languages spoken greater london estimated population largest city european_union accounting cent population london urban area second populous paris inhabitants census city metropolitan area populous europe inhabitants greater london authority states population city region covering large south east million london world populous city london contains world heritage sites tower london gardens site comprising palace westminster westminster abbey margaret church historic settlement royal observatory marks prime famous landmarks include buckingham palace london eye circus paul cathedral tower bridge square london home numerous museums galleries libraries sporting events cultural institutions including british museum national gallery natural history museum modern british library west end theatres london underground oldest underground railway network world history etymology london uncertain ancient found sources 2nd century recorded points british origin hand written roman recovered city include word london earliest attempted explanation disregarded attributed originated supposed king allegedly taken city named commonly accepted celtic origin meant place belonging man called explanation rejected richard forward explanation derived pre celtic old european meaning river wide ford suggested given river_thames flows london settlement gained celtic form requires amendment ultimate difficulty lies latin form modern welsh demand form opposed earlier possibility ruled welsh borrowed english later date basis reconstruct original london officially applied city london referred county london greater london recent discoveries indicate probable early settlements near thames london area remains bronze age bridge found north bridge bridge crossed thames went lost island river dated foundations large timber structure dated found thames south bridge function structure known structures south bank natural crossing point river flows river_thames roman london evidence scattered settlements area major settlement founded romans invasion lasted tribe led queen stormed burning ground heavily planned incarnation prospered superseded capital roman province height 2nd century roman london population anglo saxon london viking period collapse roman rule early 5th century london ceased capital walled city effectively abandoned roman continued martin fields area anglo saxon settlement known developed area slightly west old roman city revived sufficiently major port little evidence large scale production goods town declined repeated viking invasions recorded viking assaults london successful defeated attack established eastern northern england boundary roughly stretching london chester area political geographical control imposed viking incursions formally agreed danish west saxon king alfred great anglo saxon chronicle recorded london alfred great archaeological research shows involved abandonment revival life trade old roman walls london grew slowly activity increased dramatically 11th century london comparison largest town england westminster abbey rebuilt style king edward churches europe winchester previously capital anglo saxon england time london main forum foreign traders base defence time war view frank resources rapidly developing dignity political self consciousness appropriate national capital middle ages following victory battle hastings william duke normandy crowned king england newly finished westminster abbey christmas day william constructed tower london norman castles england rebuilt stone southeastern corner city native inhabitants william began building westminster hall close abbey hall basis new palace westminster 12th century institutions central government hitherto accompanied royal english court moved country grew size increasingly fixed place cases westminster royal treasury having moved winchester came rest tower city westminster developed true capital governmental terms distinct neighbour city london remained england largest city principal commercial centre flourished unique administration corporation london population grown nearly disaster struck black death century london lost nearly population london focus peasants revolt early modern tudor period reformation produced gradual shift london passing church private ownership traffic shipped london nearby shores low countries considered english maritime enterprise hardly extended seas north west europe commercial route italy mediterranean_sea normally lay antwerp alps ships passing gibraltar england likely italian opening netherlands english shipping january ensued strong commercial activity royal exchange founded grew monopoly trading companies east india company established trade expanding new world london principal north_sea port migrants arriving england abroad population rose estimated 16th century william_shakespeare contemporaries lived london time hostility development theatre end tudor period london compact assassination attempt james westminster gunpowder plot november english civil war majority supported parliamentary cause initial advance culminating battles green london surrounded defensive perimeter wall known lines communication lines built people completed months fortifications failed test new model army entered london parliament year london plagued disease early 17th century culminating great plague killed people fifth population great fire london broke lane city quickly swept wooden buildings rebuilding took years supervised robert surveyor london christopher masterpiece paul cathedral completed georgian era new districts formed west new bridges thames encouraged development south london east port london expanded downstream george iii acquired buckingham house enlarged years 18th century london crime bow street runners established professional police force total offences death including petty theft children born city died reaching birthday popular place debate ideas growing literacy development printing press making news widely available fleet street centre british press according samuel johnson find man intellectual willing leave london sir man tired london tired life london life afford late modern contemporary london world largest city london conditions led cholera claiming lives rising traffic congestion led creation world local urban rail network metropolitan board works oversaw infrastructure expansion capital surrounding counties abolished london county council created areas counties surrounding capital london bombed germans world war second world war blitz bombings german luftwaffe killed destroying large tracts housing buildings city immediately war summer olympics held original stadium time london barely recovered war festival britain held south bank great led clean air act ended soup london notorious 1940s onwards london home large number immigrants largely commonwealth countries jamaica india bangladesh pakistan making london diverse cities europe primarily starting mid-1960s london centre worldwide youth culture exemplified swinging london associated king road street role revived punk era london political boundaries expanded account growth urban area new greater london council created troubles northern_ireland london subjected bombing attacks provisional racial inequality highlighted riot greater london population declined steadily decades second world war estimated peak million million 1980s principal ports london moved downstream london area focus regeneration including wharf development borne london increasing role major international financial centre 1980s thames barrier completed 1980s protect london tidal north_sea greater london council abolished left london large metropolis world central administration london wide government restored creation greater london authority celebrate start 21st century millennium dome london eye millennium bridge constructed july london awarded summer olympics making london city stage olympic games times july london underground trains double bus bombed series terrorist attacks january greater london population estimated million highest level referendum decided leave european_union london voted remain led thousands mayor khan declare london independence rejoin supporters cite london status world city demographic economic differences rest united_kingdom argue city state based model singapore remaining member state government local government administration london formed tiers city wide strategic tier local tier city wide administration coordinated greater london authority local administration carried smaller authorities consists elected components mayor london executive powers london assembly mayor decisions accept reject mayor budget proposals year headquarters city hall mayor khan mayor statutory planning strategy published london plan recently revised local authorities councils london city london corporation responsible local services local planning schools social services local roads refuse collection certain functions waste management provided joint arrangements combined revenue expenditure london councils amounted billion billion billion london fire brigade statutory fire rescue service greater london run london fire emergency planning authority largest fire service world national health service ambulance services provided london ambulance service las trust largest free point use emergency ambulance service world london air ambulance charity operates conjunction las required majesty royal national institution operate river_thames jurisdiction port london authority lock sea national government london seat government united_kingdom government departments based close palace westminster particularly including prime minister residence downing street british parliament referred mother applied england john bright model parliamentary systems members parliament mps london correspond local parliamentary national parliament labour_party conservatives liberal democrat crime greater london exception city london provided metropolitan police service overseen mayor mayor office crime city london police force city london police british transport police responsible police services national rail london underground light railway services fourth police force london ministry defence police generally involved general public crime rates vary widely area ranging parts issues parts considered safe today crime figures available nationally local authority ward level increase metropolitan police detailed crime figures broken category borough ward level available website geography scope london referred greater london regions england level subdivision covering city metropolis small ancient city london core comprised settlement urban area grew corporation london resisted attempts city suburbs causing london defined number ways different purposes cent greater london covered london post town london forms postal addresses london telephone area code covers larger area similar size greater london outer districts omitted places outside included greater london boundary aligned motorway places outward urban expansion prevented metropolitan green belt built area extends boundary places resulting separately defined greater london urban area vast london commuter belt greater london split purposes inner london outer london city split river_thames north south informal central london area interior coordinates nominal centre london traditionally considered original eleanor cross cross near junction square approximately actual geographical centre london london borough miles northeast north tube station status london city london city westminster city status city london remainder greater london counties purposes area greater london incorporated areas historic counties middlesex kent surrey essex london status capital england later united_kingdom granted confirmed officially statute written form position formed constitutional convention making status facto capital constitution capital england moved london winchester palace westminster developed 12th 13th centuries permanent location royal court political capital nation recently greater london defined region england context known london topography greater london encompasses total area square kilometres area population population density inhabitants square kilometre extended area known london metropolitan region london metropolitan comprises total area square kilometres population population density inhabitants square kilometre modern london stands thames primary geographical feature river crosses city south west east thames valley surrounded gently rolling hills including parliament hill hills hill thames broader shallower river extensive high tide shores reached times present width victorian era thames extensively london tributaries flow underground thames tidal river london vulnerable flooding threat increased time slow continuous rise high water level slow britain north south caused post glacial rebound decade work began construction thames barrier thames deal threat barrier expected function designed roughly concepts future redesign discussed climate london temperate oceanic climate similar southern britain despite reputation rainy city london receives precipitation year rome naples sydney new_york temperature extremes sites london area range august january summers generally warm hot london average july high average london days year days year european heat wave consecutive days consecutive days temperatures reached leading hundreds heat related deaths winters generally cool damp little temperature variation snowfall occurs occasionally cause travel disruption happens snowfall common outer london spring autumn mixed seasons pleasant large city london considerable urban heat island effect making centre london times warmer suburbs outskirts effect seen comparing london miles west london london weather centre city centre districts london vast urban area described set district names informal designations reflect names villages absorbed superseded administrative units parishes names remained use tradition referring local area distinctive character official boundaries greater london divided london addition ancient city london city london main financial district wharf recently developed new financial commercial hub east west end london main entertainment shopping district attracting tourists west london includes expensive residential areas properties sell tens millions pounds average price properties million similarly high central london east end area closest original port london known high immigrant population areas london surrounding east london area saw london early industrial development sites area redeveloped thames gateway including london riverside lower valley developed olympic park olympics paralympics architecture london buildings diverse characterised particular architectural style partly varying ages grand houses public buildings national gallery constructed portland stone areas city particularly west centre characterised white buildings structures central london pre date great fire trace roman remains tower london scattered tudor survivors city example tudor period court palace england oldest surviving tudor palace built cardinal thomas late 17th century churches financial institutions 18th 19th centuries royal exchange bank england early 20th century old bailey 1960s estate form varied architectural heritage disused soon power station river south west local landmark railway termini excellent examples victorian architecture notably density london varies high employment density central area high residential inner london lower outer london monument city london provides views surrounding area commemorating great fire london originated nearby marble arch wellington arch north south ends park lane respectively royal connections albert memorial royal albert hall nelson column nationally recognised monument square focal points central london older buildings mainly brick built commonly yellow london stock brick warm orange red variety decorated carvings white plaster dense areas concentration high rise buildings london mary axe tower tower canada square financial districts city london wharf high rise development restricted certain sites protected views paul cathedral historic buildings number tall central london tall buildings london including storey london bridge tallest building european_union notable modern buildings include city hall distinctive oval shape british library town kings cross millennium dome thames east wharf entertainment venue called arena natural history london natural history society suggest london world cities percent green space open water indicate species flowering plant found growing tidal thames supports species fish state species bird nest central london members recorded species butterfly kinds spider london london wetland areas support nationally important populations water birds london sites special scientific interest national nature reserves local nature reserves amphibians common capital including smooth living modern common frogs common great hand native reptiles slow worms common grass snakes seen outer london inhabitants london square mile square kilometres london urban noticeably country cousins sharing pavement pedestrians raising cubs people houses parliament found asleep filing cabinet broke grounds buckingham palace reportedly killing queen elizabeth_ii prized pink generally city folk appear survey london based society found percent respondents volunteered diary garden visits liked having sample taken represent mammals found greater london rats mice rabbit areas outer london forest wide variety mammals found including hare field bank water wood mouse yellow mouse mole addition fox dead found highway mile tower bridge suggest begun absent years city england eighteen species bats recorded forest soprano common brown long strange sights seen london whale thames bbc programme natural world unnatural history london shows london underground city seal takes fish outside fish market sit given red deer freely richmond park takes place november february ensure numbers sustained forest known deer frequently seen north forest rare population black deer maintained deer sanctuary near deer escaped deer parks turn twentieth century found forest accustomed wildlife birds sharing city recently urban deer started regular feature white tailed deer come residential areas night advantage london green spaces census recorded people london population foreign born making london city second largest immigrant population new_york_city terms absolute numbers table right shows common countries birth london residents note german born population 18th position british citizens birth born parents serving british armed forces germany increasing london population grew rapidly 19th early 20th centuries time late 19th early 20th centuries populous city world population peaked immediately outbreak second world war declined census population grew million reach london continuous urban area extends borders greater london home people wider metropolitan area population million depending definition according london populous city metropolitan area european_union second populous europe istanbul included period net immigrants arrived london region covers area square kilometres population density inhabitants square kilometre times british region terms population london 19th largest city 18th largest metropolitan region world london largest number british pound sterling world residing city london ranks expensive cities world alongside tokyo moscow ethnic groups according office national statistics based census estimates cent inhabitants london white cent white british cent white irish cent gypsy irish traveller cent classified white cent asian mixed asian descent cent asian descent mixed asian heritage comprising population indians account cent population followed cent chinese peoples account cent population arabs comprising cent cent classified asian cent london population black mixed black descent cent black descent mixed black heritage comprising cent black account cent london population cent black caribbean cent black cent mixed race london black asian children white british children state schools altogether census london population aged cent white cent asian cent black cent mixed cent represented ethnic group january survey london ethnic religious diversity claimed languages spoken london non indigenous communities population figures office national statistics london foreign born population cent census showed cent greater london population born outside portion german born population likely british nationals born parents serving british armed forces germany estimates produced office national statistics indicate largest foreign born groups living london period july june born india poland republic ireland bangladesh nigeria religion according census largest religious christians cent followed religion cent muslims cent response cent cent jews cent cent cent cent london traditionally christian large number churches particularly city london known paul cathedral city cathedral south river anglican administrative centres archbishop_of_canterbury principal bishop church_of_england worldwide anglican communion main residence palace london borough important national royal ceremonies shared paul westminster abbey abbey confused nearby westminster cathedral largest roman catholic cathedral england wales despite prevalence anglican churches low anglican church attendance continues long slow steady decline according church_of_england statistics london home muslim hindu jewish communities notable include east london mosque tower london central mosque edge regent park mosque muslim community following oil boom increasing numbers wealthy middle eastern muslims based west london large muslim communities eastern tower large hindu communities north western home europe largest hindu temple temple london home hindu temples communities east west london particularly home largest populations largest temple outside india majority british jews live london significant jewish communities hill green north london marks city london affiliated london historic jewish community europe held regular services continuously years park largest membership single orthodox europe overtaking london community set london jewish forum response growing significance london government accent accents traditionally thought london accents known london accents long ago acquired label heard london wider south east england region generally accent 21st century varies widely common fusion array ethnic accents particular caribbean form accent labelled london english widely heard spoken accent received pronunciation forms heard media traditional accent limited london south east england heard certain social economy london generates cent billion economy london metropolitan area largest europe generates cent estimated billion london pre eminent financial centres world important location international finance london tops world rankings global financial centres index london largest industry finance financial exports large contributor balance payments people employed financial services london london overseas banks city world percent million employed population greater london works services industries prominent global role london economy affected financial crisis city recovered place new regulatory powers proceeded regain lost ground established london economic dominance city london home bank england london stock exchange lloyd london insurance market half listed companies europe largest companies headquarters central london cent london metropolitan area cent fortune companies offices london professional services media companies concentrated london media distribution industry london second competitive sector bbc significant employer broadcasters headquarters city national newspapers edited london london major retail centre highest non food retail sales city world total spend billion port london second largest united_kingdom handling million tonnes cargo year london major business districts city westminster wharf way idea relative importance look relative amounts office space greater london million office space city contains space million office space london highest real estate prices world growing number technology companies based london notably east london tech city known roundabout april city receive forbes magazine ranked london influential city world february london ranked european city future list magazine london world expensive office market years according world property journal report residential property london worth value brazil annual city highest property prices european city according office national statistics european office statistics average price square metre central london april higher property prices european capital cities berlin rome paris gas electricity distribution networks manage operate towers cables pressure systems deliver energy consumers city managed national grid power networks tourism london leading tourist destinations world ranked visited city world million visits city world visitor cross border spending estimated billion tourism london prime industries employing equivalent time workers city accounts visitor spend london rated world ranked city destination users visited attractions london british museum modern national gallery natural history museum imperial war museum science museum victoria albert museum madame national maritime museum tower london number hotel rooms london stands expected grow years housing crisis thousands homeless families find stuck emergency accommodation years growth number households led homeless charity shelter stating growth result people living longer people living smaller households net migration transport transport main areas policy administered mayor london mayor financial control extend longer distance rail network enters london assumed responsibility local lines form london network adding existing responsibility london underground buses public transport network administered transport london extensive world lines formed london underground buses integrated transport system london passenger transport board london transport created transport london statutory corporation responsible aspects transport system greater london run board commissioner appointed mayor london aviation london major international air transport hub busiest city world airports use word london traffic passes london airport west london busiest airport world international traffic major hub nation flag carrier british march fifth terminal opened plans runway sixth terminal cancelled coalition government similar traffic cheap short haul flights handled airport south london west sussex airport north east london essex local hub airport north london cheap short haul flights london city airport smallest central airport east london focused business travellers mixture service short haul scheduled flights considerable business jet traffic london airport east london essex smaller regional airport mainly cheap short haul flights rail underground london underground commonly referred tube oldest second longest metro system world system serves stations formed private companies including world underground electric line city south london railway dates million journeys day underground network billion year investment programme attempting reduce congestion improve reliability including billion billion spent summer olympics light railway opened second local metro system smaller lighter type vehicles serve suburban railway stations london zones extensive ground suburban railway network south london particularly high concentration railways fewer underground lines rail lines terminate centre london running eighteen terminal stations exception trains connecting north brighton south airports london britain busiest station number passengers million people interchange station complex includes east station year junction busiest station europe number trains passing need rail capacity london open new railway line running east west london home counties branch airport europe biggest construction project billion projected cost inter city international london centre national rail network percent rail journeys starting ending london like suburban rail services regional inter city trains depart termini city centre linking london rest britain including birmingham brighton reading bristol cardiff derby exeter sheffield southampton leeds manchester cambridge newcastle edinburgh glasgow international railway services continental europe operated 20th century boat trains amsterdam night ferry paris brussels opening channel tunnel connected london directly continental rail network allowing services begin high speed trains link international paris brussels european tourist destinations high speed rail link channel tunnel high speed domestic trains started june linking kent london plans second high speed line linking london north west england yorkshire freight rail freight levels far compared height significant quantities cargo carried london rail chiefly building materials waste major hub british railway network london tracks carry large amounts freight regions container freight channel tunnel english channel ports nuclear waste buses london bus network largest world running hours day buses bus routes bus stops network billion commuter trips underground million taken revenue year london largest wheelchair accessible network world 3rd quarter accessible hearing visually impaired passengers audio visual announcements introduced distinctive red double buses internationally recognised trademark london transport black tube london modern network known centred south london network stops routes carried million people june transport london completely owned plans spend maintenance upgrades capacity enhancements cable car london cable car known air line opened june crossing river_thames linking peninsula royal docks east city cable car integrated london card system special charged costing million build carries passengers day lower capacity similar cycles bike hire scheme cable car sponsored year deal airline cycling cycling increasingly popular way london launch cycle hire scheme july successful generally received london cycling campaign better provision port river boats largest port world port london second largest united_kingdom handling million tonnes cargo year actually passes port outside boundary greater london london frequent river boat services thames known thames run minutes embankment pier north pier ferry million passengers year frequent service linking north south circular roads operators run commuter tourist boat services london roads majority journeys involving central london public transport car travel common suburbs inner ring road city centre north south circular roads suburbs outer motorway outside built area city number busy radial routes penetrate inner london plan comprehensive network city plan prepared 1960s cancelled early 1970s longest ring road motorway world long connect london leeds newcastle edinburgh london notorious traffic congestion motorway busiest stretch country average speed car rush hour mph congestion charge introduced reduce traffic volumes city centre exceptions motorists required pay day drive defined zone encompassing central london motorists residents defined zone buy greatly reduced season pass london government initially expected congestion charge zone increase daily peak period underground bus users people reduce road traffic cent increase traffic speeds cent reduce cent course years average number cars entering centre london weekday reduced cars cent reduction vehicles driven day education education london major global centre higher education teaching research universities form largest concentration higher education europe according world university rankings london greatest concentration class universities world international student population city world report termed london global capital higher education number world leading education institutions based london world university rankings imperial college london ranked joint 2nd world alongside university_of_cambridge university college london ranked 5th king college london ranked 16th london school economics described world leading social science institution teaching research london business school considered world leading business schools programme ranked second best world financial times students london federal university london largest contact teaching university includes large multi faculty universities king college london queen mary royal number smaller specialised institutions including institute art school music drama institute education london business school london school economics london school tropical medicine royal academy music central school speech drama royal college school oriental african studies members university london procedures award degrees number universities london outside university london system including university city university london imperial college london kingston university london metropolitan university students largest university london university east london university west london university westminster london south bank university middlesex university university arts london largest university art design fashion communication performing arts europe addition international universities london regent university london richmond american international university london international university london home major medical schools london school medicine queen mary king college london school medicine largest medical school europe imperial college school medicine medical school george university london large number affiliated teaching hospitals major centre research academic health science centres based city imperial college healthcare king health partners partners largest centre europe number business schools london including london school business finance business school city university london international business school europe european business school london imperial college business school london business school london home specialist arts education institutions including academy live recorded arts central school ballet london college contemporary arts london contemporary dance school national centre circus arts school ballet contemporary dance royal college art royal college music trinity primary secondary education majority primary secondary schools education colleges london controlled london state funded leading examples include city college west london college sixth form college tower college green academy number private schools colleges london old famous city london school paul school boys school university college school john school school westminster school culture leisure entertainment leisure major london economy report contributing quarter entire leisure economy london globally city big fashion capital world according official statistics london world busiest film production centre presents live comedy city biggest theatre audience city world city westminster london entertainment district west end focus leicester square london world film held circus giant electronic advertisements london theatre district cinemas bars clubs restaurants including city district east garden area housing shops city home andrew lloyd musicals dominated west end theatre late 20th century united_kingdom royal ballet english national ballet royal opera english national opera based london perform royal opera house london wells theatre royal albert hall touring country mile long upper street extending northwards angel bars restaurants street united_kingdom europe busiest shopping area oxford street shopping street nearly mile long making longest shopping street united_kingdom oxford street home vast numbers retailers department stores including world famous flagship store home equally renowned department store lies south west london home designers jimmy renowned art fashion schools international centre fashion alongside paris milan new_york_city london offers great variety cuisine result diverse population centres include restaurants brick lane chinese food restaurants variety annual events beginning relatively new new year day parade fireworks display london eye world second largest street party hill carnival held late august bank holiday year traditional include november lord mayor centuries old event celebrating annual appointment new lord mayor city london procession streets city june colour formal military performed regiments commonwealth british armies celebrate queen official birthday literature film television london setting works literature literary centres london traditionally hilly early 20th century writers closely associated city samuel noted eyewitness account great fire charles representation snowy london street major influence people vision early victorian london virginia regarded foremost modernist literary figures 20th century pilgrims late 14th century canterbury tales set canterbury london specifically inn william_shakespeare spent large life living working london contemporary ben based work notably play set city journal plague year daniel events great plague later important depictions london 19th early 20th centuries novels arthur conan holmes stories modern writers influenced city include peter author biography london writes genre london played significant role film industry major studios special effects post production community centred working title films headquarters london london setting films including oliver twist peter pan fair lady mary long good friday hill love actually demon barber fleet street king speech notable actors filmmakers london include charlie alfred michael helen christopher law tom hardy daniel day lewis british academy film awards taken place royal opera house london major centre television production studios including bbc television centre fountain studios london studios television programmes set london including popular television soap opera broadcast bbc museums art galleries london home museums galleries institutions free admission charges major tourist attractions playing research role established british museum originally containing natural history specimens national library museum million artefacts globe national gallery founded house british national collection western paintings occupies prominent position square half 19th century south developed cultural scientific quarter major national museums victoria albert museum applied arts natural history museum science museum national portrait gallery founded house depictions figures british history holdings comprise world extensive collection portraits national gallery british art britain originally established national gallery gallery known major centre modern art collection moved modern new gallery housed power station music london major classical popular music capitals world home major music corporations warner music group countless bands musicians industry professionals city home concert halls arts centre principal base london symphony orchestra london symphony chorus hall royal orchestra royal albert hall london main opera houses royal opera house london largest pipe organ royal albert hall significant instruments major churches city royal academy music royal college music school music drama trinity london numerous venues rock pop concerts including world busiest arena arena large arenas court arena mid sized venues academy apollo shepherd bush empire music festivals including wireless festival south west park british summer time held london city home original hard rock cafe abbey road studios beatles recorded hits 1960s 1970s 1980s musicians groups like elton_john pink floyd david_bowie queen rolling_stones led small faces iron maiden mac cat stevens police cure madness jam dusty springfield collins rod stewart derived sound streets rhythms london london instrumental development punk music figures sex pistols clash based city recent artists emerge london music scene include george michael kate bush seal bush girls sons amy direction london centre urban music particular genres garage drum bass evolved city foreign genres hip hop reggae alongside local drum bass black music station bbc radio set support rise home grown urban music london rest notable people recreation parks open spaces largest parks central area london royal parks park neighbour gardens west regent park north park particular popular sports hosts open air concerts regent park contains london zoo world oldest scientific zoo near tourist attraction madame wax museum hill northern regent park feet popular spot view city skyline close park smaller royal parks green park james park number large parks lie outside city centre including remaining royal parks park south east park richmond park largest south west court park royal park contains palace administered historic royal palaces unlike royal parks close richmond park gardens world largest collection living plants gardens list world heritage sites numerous parks administered london borough councils including victoria park east end park centre informal semi natural open spaces exist including acre heath north london forest covers hectares acres east controlled city london corporation heath incorporates house home popular location summer months classical musical concerts held lake attracting thousands people weekend enjoy music scenery fireworks forest popular venue outdoor activities including mountain walking horse riding golf walking walking popular recreational activity london areas provide walks include common forest court park heath royal parks canals disused railway tracks access canals rivers improved recently including creation thames path miles greater london trail runs miles south london river tributary river_thames long distance paths linking green spaces created including capital ring green chain walk london outer path loop jubilee walkway valley walk diana princess wales memorial walk sport london hosted summer olympics times chosen july host olympics paralympics making city host modern games times city host british_empire games london host world championships athletics london popular sport football fourteen football league clubs including premier league arsenal crystal palace west united professional teams london queens park rangers athletic orient london club win champions league arsenal london clubs won league original stadium home english national football team hosted world cup final england defeating west_germany served venue cup final rugby league challenge cup final new stadium serves exactly purposes capacity rugby union teams based london london irish currently play home games greater london london scottish london welsh play championship club rugby union clubs city include richmond park park stadium south west london national rugby union stadium capacity new south stand completed rugby league popular north england professional rugby league clubs london second tier championship team london play sports ground west tier league team london wood green addition north london play league london best known annual sports competitions tennis championships held england club south western suburb played late june early july oldest tennis tournament world widely considered prestigious london test cricket grounds lord home middlesex john wood oval home surrey lord hosted finals cricket world cup key events annual mass participation london marathon runners attempt miles course city oxford cambridge boat_race river_thames