London, the capital of the former British Empire

The City of London was for nearly four centuries the capital of the most powerful Empire in the world. London was the centre of a vast empire that stretched across every continent. As such, the English city had many inhabitants and the presence of people from all its possessions. The city's political, military and economic strength was reflected in all areas of daily life.

Founded by the Romans with the name of Londinium more than two thousand years ago, the original nucleus of the Roman enclave coincides with the current district of the City. The City is today one of the most important financial centres in the world.

London is a global city. It is one of the hubs of arts and commerce. The city has many universities. It is the undisputed goal of entertainment, fashion, finance and media. It is the world's leading financial centre. London is also a world cultural capital.

What to visit in London?

The capital has four World Heritage Sites:

• The Tower of London.
• The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
• The complex formed by the Palace, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church.
• Greenwich (where the Royal Observatory marking the Greenwich meridian and mean time is located).

Other spaces that are very popular with visitors are:

• The Buckingham Palace,
• the London Eye,
• Piccadilly Circus,
• St. Paul's Cathedral,
• the Tower Bridge,
• the Trafalgar Square.

The city also has numerous museums, art galleries and libraries. It is also home to numerous sporting events.

London has many prestigious cultural institutions, such as:

• The British Museum,
• the National Gallery,
• the Tate Modern,
• the British Library,
• and the 40 theatres in the West End.

The London Underground, which will be 150 years old in 2013, is the oldest in the world.

The city in the Contemporary era

The city was expanding, especially during the so-called Victorian era. The 19th century coincided with the explosion and expansion of the Industrial Revolution and the height of imperialist colonization.

In 1825 London became the most populated city in the world, a characteristic that it would retain for a century. During the Second World War, the British capital suffered intense bombardments known as the blitz by the forces of Nazi Germany.