Reading Text

LONDON

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million. Today the metropolis of Greater London covers some 1, 580 sq. km and the suburbs of London continue even beyond this area.

Traditionally the historical centre of London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different epochs.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business center with the bank of England, the Stock Exchange, numerous banks, offices and firms. About 6 000 people live here, but about half a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous sights in the City including: the Monument commemorating the Great Fire of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches, designed by Christopher Wren in the 17^th century; the Mansion House, an official residence of the Lord Mayor and of course the Tower of London. The City is also the oldest part of London because its history is closely connected with the Tower of London which was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 to protect and control the city. In the past it was a fortress, a palace and a state prison. Now it is a popular museum visited by about two million people a year. The Tower consists of many buildings, but the most important is the White Tower, which is the oldest. Its walls are thirty meters high. The White Tower houses the famous collection of Crown jewels. During World War II the area in the City, called Barbican, was heavily damaged by air-raids. After the reconstruction (1971-1982) the Barbican has become the site of an ambitious post-war architecture which comprises commercial, residential and cultural zones. The Barbican Centre includes a large Concert hall, two theatres, three cinemas, a number of restaurants, conference rooms, and an art gallery.

Westminster is a part of London that has long been connected with royalty and government. Buckingham Palace is the British monarch’s main residence in London. It was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, and was bought by King George III in 1762. It has been the royal residence since then. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most important tourist attractions.

The Houses of Parliament is the seat of the British Parliament. This architectural complex has two miles of corridors and more than 1000 rooms and contains the universal symbol of London, Big Ben.

Close to the Houses of Parliament stands Westminster Abbey. In Westminster Abbey most British monarchs since William the Conqueror have been crowned and here you may see the ancient Coronation Chair. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling and others.

The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The largest department stores, cinemas and hotels are situated here. There are about 40 theaters, several concert halls, many museums and the best galleries. It is in the West End where the University of London is centered with Bloomsbury as London’s student quarter.

Trafalgar Square is the geographical center of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson’s victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson’s Column stands in the middle of the square. On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the national Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum – the biggest museum in London which contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures and is famous for its library. The main street running south of Trafalgar Square is Whitehall. There used to be a palace here once – Whitehall Palace, where from the 16^th to the 17^th century the British monarchs lived. The Palace doesn’t exist now, and today’s Whitehall is a street of government offices. That’s why the name “Whitehall” is often applied to the British Government.

Another famous square in the West End is Piccadilly Circus. It is a round square from which the best-known streets of the West End radiate – Piccadilly, Regent Street, Hay market and Shaftesbury Avenue. In the middle of the square there is the statue of Eros designed as naked, winged archer. For many Londoners and visitors Eros is the Greek God of Love. It is in fact not Eros at all. It was originally erected in 1893 as a memorial in honour of the Earl of Shaftesbury, a well-known philanthropist.

London can be proud of its many green parks and open spaces, where the English countryside comes to the centre of the city. Some of the famous parks are in the West End such as Kensington Gardens with the Albert Hall, where the famous Promenade Concerts are held. Regent’s Park, is perhaps London’s most elegant park, with its attractive gardens and lakes and the Zoo where about 6000 animals live.

The East End grew with the spread of industries to the east of the city and the growth of the Port of London. The East End of London is very important to the country’s commerce. Here, today there are kilometers and kilometers of docks, and the great industrial areas that depend upon shipping. It is also known as the centre of the clothing industry, the East End markets are famous throughout the world. Here you can visit the Maritime Museum – a museum for ships and the sea in Greenwich. Another attraction of the East End is the London Dungeons’ the world’s most chilling famous museum of horror located in Tooley Street.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the area of Greater London?

2. What are the famous sights of the City?

3. What is the origin of the name of the main royal residence in London?

4. What statues are in the middles of two London most famous squares: Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus?

5. Why is the British government called Whitehall?

Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. Whitehall is one of the halls in Buckingham Palace.

2. London is a very green city with many parks, squares and gardens.

3. Many outstanding Britains such as Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Tennyson, Kipling and others were buried in the basement of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Match words in the left column with the definitions on the right:

Comment on the statements:

1. London is the seat of the British royalty and government.

2. London has many attractions for visitors from all over the world.

3. London is a city with great character.

4. London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

5. “If you are tired of London you are tired of life” (Samuel Jonson).