LONDON
Modern London isn't one city that steadily become large through the
centuries; it's a number of cities, towns, and villages that have, during
the past centuries, grown together to make one urban area. London is
situated on both banks of the River Thames; it is the largest city in
Britain and one of the largest in the world. Its population is about
7 million people and one more million travel in each day to work. People
who work in London and live in suburbs are called commuters. The situation
is such because of very expensive flats in the center, thus more and
more people and firms move away from the capital. London is cosmopolitan,
multicultural city, a big port and most important commercial, manufacturing
and cultural center. About half of a million people work in the city
but only less than 60000 live there. It is the financial center of the
UK with many banks, offices and the stock exchange.
The west end can be called the center of London. Here are the historical
palaces as well as the famous parks, Buckingham Palace, which is the
Queen's residence, the Westminster, which is seat of Parliament, the
best — known streets. The port of London, or East End, is to the east
of the City, with kilometers and kilometers of docks, and the great
industrial areas that developed upon shipping. London has changed greatly
in recent years.
Tree buildings tourists first visit hi England are Westminster Abbey,
the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Westminster — a fine gothic building, was built in eighth century, and
was a monastery, a great Norman Abbey after the 11th century that was
pulled down by Henry III, who build a one more beautiful after. The
Chapel of Henry VII is said to be one of the greater glories of the
Abbey with its delicate fan- vaulting. Abbey is famous for its stained
glasses. It is also is often compared with mausoleum, as there are tombs
and memorials of almost all English monarchs, many statesmen, famous
scientists, writers and musicians. Here in The Abbey there is also the
tomb of unknown warrior, a symbol of the nation's grief.
Work on masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren began in 1675 and building
went on for 35 years. From far away you can see the huge dome with a
golden ball and cross on the top. The interior of the Cathedral is very
beautiful. It is full of monuments. Whispering gallery, which runs round
the dome, called so because of its wonderful sound effect. The Chapel
of King's College is beautiful Cambridge's building and one of the greatest
Gothic buildings in Europe, and built in perpendicular style.
