London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and cultural center. It is one of the largest cities in the world. Its population is more than 11 million people. London is situated on the river Thames. The city is old and beautiful. It was founded more than two thousand years ago. Traditionally London is divided into several parts: the West End, the City and the East End.

The West End is the part where rich people live. It is the most beautiful part of London. The best hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs, parks and houses are situated there.

Kensington Gardens was carved out of the western section of Hyde Park and designed c.1728-1738 by Henry Wise and Charles Bridgeman, with fashionable features including the Round Pond, formal avenues and a sunken Dutch garden. Long after they had been opened to the public, the King asked his Prime Minister the possible cost of enclosing them again: the reply was "a Crown". The park also contains the Elfin Oak, an elaborately carved 900—year old tree stump.

Diana Memorial Playground - Free Peter Pan-themed playground with pirate ship and beach, created in 2000 in memory of Princess of Wales. Restored 2009.

Italian Gardens - Ornamental water garden with fountains, pounds and statues. Inspired by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, and created in 1860-1.

Peter Pan Statue - Bronze sculpture of Peter Pan, designed by George Frampton and denoted by the Peter Pan author, J.M. Barrie in 1912.

Albert Memorial - Remembers Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert (died 1861). Gold plated statue of Albert surrounded by huge sculptures and stone canopy.

Round Pond - Used since Victorian’s times to sail modal boats and now also a popular place to see water birds. Created 1726-1735.

Kensington Palace - Home of Diana, Princess of Wales and birthplace of Queen Victoria. First used as a royal palace in 1689.

The Horse Guards Parade - 18th century parade ground where the traditional ceremonies Trooping the Colour and Beating Retreat are held in June each year.

To the east the large area called the East End. This is London’s poorest part. The very large riverside in the East End make London one of the three largest parts in the world. The East End is an industrial district of London. There are many factories and the port of London is there.

The Tower of London

The building of the Tower began during the reign of William the Conqueror, 1066 to 1087. It was built to control and protect London and was erected within ancient Roman walls. In the 1200s, additions were built beyond the walls. The White or Great Tower is the only Norman building still standing.

In addition to the Tower being a fortress, it has been a palace, prison, execution chamber and home of the Royal Menagerie, Royal Mint, Royal Observatory and Public records. It has been an arsenal for armor and weapons and has been and still is where the crown jewels are kept safe.

Ravens live in the Tower and roam on the grounds. Their legend began during the reign of Charles II in the seventeenth century. One version states that when there are no more ravens in the Tower the White Tower and England will both be destroyed. It has also been said that if anyone harms a raven, she or he will be subject to bad fortune and, possibly death. In some cultures, these birds are death omens as they were for one European royal family.

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name.It is one of the finest bridges in the World.  Tower Bridge is sometimes mistakenly referred to as London Bridge, which is actually the next bridge upstream. A popular urban legend is that in 1968, Robert McCulloch, the purchaser of the old London Bridge believed that he was in fact buying Tower Bridge. This was denied by McCulloch himself and has been debunked by Ivan Luckin, the seller of the bridge.

The City extends over an area of about 2.6 square kilometres in the heart of London. It is the financial centre of the UK with many banks, offices and Stock Exchange. But the City is also a market for goods of almost every kind, from all parts of the world.

Saint Paul’s Cathedral - It is the biggest English church on Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the seat of the Bishop of London. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren.

St.James’s Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks of London.The park has a small lake, St. James's Park Lake, with two islands, Duck Island (named for the lake's collection of waterfowl), and West Island. A bridge across the lake affords a view of Buckingham Palace framed by trees and fountains, and a view of the main building of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, similarly framed, to the east.The park is the most easterly of a near-continuous chain of parks that also comprise (moving westward) Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock and is often extended to refer to the clock or the clock tower as well.  Big Ben is the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third-tallest free-standing clock tower in the world. It celebrated its 150th anniversary in May 2009 (the clock itself first ticking on 31 May 1859).The BBC first broadcast the chimes on the 31st December 1923 - there is a microphone in the turret connected to Broadcasting House.