1.London dominates British life.

London is one of the biggest and most interesting cities in the world. One in seven of the United Kingdom is Londoner. About 7 million people live in Greater London. London dominates British life .It is the home of nations commerce and finance , the main centre of its legal system and press. It has the largest university and the greatest possibilities for entertainment and for sport in the country.The built-up area of Greater London stretches 50 kilometres from east to west and many of its districts are linked with particular activities. Off Whitehall is a small street – is quite , unimpressive house #10 the official home of the Prime Minister. In Threadneedle Street is the Bank of England. Fleet Street near St. Pauls Cathedral used to be busy street full of foreign , provincial and London newspaper offices . In South Kensington there are several large museums : The Victoria and Albert museum , the Natural History museum an the Hall of human biology. The museum of London in the City presents the biography of London by Romans to the Greater London of today. In Londons theateland are over thirty theatre showing a large range of old and modern plays. Smaller «fridge» theatre perform in club , pubs and at lunch time . London is full of parks and green spaces . Hyde Park is the largest park in London . Near Marble Arch is Speakers Corner , where everyone can go and air their views to anyone who will listen . Beyond Hyde Park lies another royal park , Kensington Gardens. In the North of London is Regents park with a zoo and open-air theatre . A trip along Regent s canal in a waterbus gives a chance to see London Little Vinice . The Thams at London is tidal river . London is ancient city , but it is also a living city and it is constantly developing.

2.The history of London.

London is ancient city . The Roman invaders founded a small celtic settlement known as Londinium . Then they turned it into an important trading centre . Traditionally , it is divided into the West End and East End . The West End is famous for its beautiful avenues with big stores , rich mansions , restaurants , hotels , theatres and night clubs. The East End used to be a poor area filled with warehouses , factories , slums and miserable houses . Greater London stretches 50 kilometres from east to west and many of its districts are linked with particular activities. The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and rebuilt be William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress , a royal residence and a prison . Now it is museum. In present day , just many centures ago , the Ceremony of the Keys take place at its gates. Another historic building St. Pauls Cathedral , the greatest of English churches . It was built by a famous English architect , Sir Christopher Wren . Wellington , Nelson and other great men of England are buried in the Cathedral . In Westminster is Westminster Abby . Many English sovereigns , outstanding stateman , painters and poets are burired here. Across the road from Westminster Abby is Westninster Palace , the seat of theBritish Parliament. Big Ben is the largest clock in the country that strike every quarter of the hour . Trafalger Square was named in memory of the victory in the battle of Trafalger when English fleet under Nelsons command defeated the combined fleet of France and Spain . The Victory was won at the cost of Nelsons life . In the middle of Tafalger Square stands Nelsons monument. The British museum – the biggest museum in London . It contains a priceless collection of different things like manuscropts , coins , sculptures etc. The British museum is famous for its library – one of the reachest in the world . In its large circular reading room Marx , Engels and Lenin used to work . London is ancient city, but it is also a living city and it is constantly developing.