London
London is one of the largest cities in Europe and is the seat of British Government, a center of international commerce, education, the arts, and a wide range of enterprises. London attracts a diverse population because of the quick pulse of contemporary urban life as well as its rich and varied history.
The name London originally described the city of London proper, a neighborhood still referred to as "the City" or "the square mile." With its steady growth since the Middle Ages, London gradually absorbed surrounding villages and districts resulting in the sprawling metropolis of today. London has a population of about 7 million. Greater London is actually made up of 32 semi-independent boroughs plus "the City." Each has a local governing body as well as a town center with business, residential and cultural centers.
London markets have a large selection of foods. Out-of-season fruits and vegetables are imported from around the world, and because of the diverse foreign community in London, ingredients for cuisines from nearly anywhere can be found here. Supermarkets stock fresh, frozen, and packaged goods, nearly always at prices substantially higher than those in the U.S. British foods, eating habits, kitchen equipment, and terminology are different from U.S. counterparts.
Attire in London for office, theater, shopping, sporting events, and social occasions is in darker colors and more conservative styles than in the U.S. Casual attire often means a coat and tie. The terms lounge suit, day dress, town coat, "tenue de ville," informal, and business suit on an invitation indicate dark business suits for men and professional attire (smart day dress) or cocktail dresses for women. Formal, black tie, dinner jacket, tuxedo, and smoking jacket mean long gowns for women (or short dressy gowns, depending on current fashion) and black tie for men. Women are expected to wear hats and gloves for the Queen's Garden Party, Ascot and other dressy occasions (e.g., local weddings).
Neighborhood shopping areas are scattered throughout greater London. Some American-type shopping malls have opened in the past decade. Virtually all shopping areas (the High Streets) offer common services: laundry and drycleaning, hairdressers and barbers, gas stations, drugstores (chemists), hardware stores (ironmongers), travel and ticket agencies, restaurants, flowershops, giftshops, banks, libraries, newsstands (newsagents), bookshops, jewelers, and the ever-present pubs, to mention a few. There are also a growing number of stores that provide on-line shopping and delivery, including some of the major supermarket chains such as Tesco and Sainsburys.
London is well known as a sightseer's paradise. Whatever personal interests you have, London's museums, art galleries, libraries, historic places, pageantry, and parks are bound to fulfill them. Sightseers can explore the city by bus or tube, on foot, and by boat on the Thames or the canals.
Culturally, London is one of the richest cities on Earth. It has symphony orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and pop and rock concerts. The legitimate theater in London is unrivaled. World-famous British, American, and international artists are often on stage. Productions routinely move from Broadway to London and vice versa. Nearly year-round offerings of opera, ballet, and symphonic music are offered at the Royal Opera House, the Sadler's Wells Hall, the Barbican and South Bank Centres, and the Royal Festival Hall. In addition to top-quality resident companies, famous continental and American groups often visit.
Central London offers a wide range of first-run films at theaters, film clubs, and art theaters. Going out to the movies is as easy and informal as in the U.S., although a bit more expensive.
Restaurants, cafes, and tearooms of every size and price range abound here. Food ranges from fastfood fare to exclusive English and international cuisine. Pubs and afternoon tea are two English traditions that should not be missed. Prices are generally higher than in the US.
Museums and art galleries in London contain one of the most comprehensive collections of objects of artistic, archeological, scientific, historical, and general interest ever to exist in one city. The most notable are the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, National Gallery, the Tate Britain, the Tate Modern, National Portrait Gallery, Imperial War Museum, Museum of London, Wallace Collection, British Museum of Natural History, Geological Museum, and Science Museum.
The British seem to go out of their way to provide entertainment for children. This is especially true during summer and at Christmas. Some of the popular outings are special theater productions, pantomimes and puppet shows, the zoo, concerts, and film festivals.
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