TEXT B: LONDON

London, one of the greatest cities in the world, is the capital of Great Britain, and the cradle of British tradition and culture. It is a large and ancient city with the population of about 9 million people. London lies on the Thames and stretches for over 30 miles from east to west. It is more than two thousand years old. London was not built as a city. It began life as a Roman fortification at a place where the Roman invaders found the Thames narrow enough to build a bridge. Then a small Celtic settlement known as Londinium they had turned into a separate port and an important trading centre. Now London is the biggest industrial and cultural centre of Great Britain.

Traditionally London is divided into four main parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End.

The City is the oldest part of London, its financial and business centre. Here one can find many banks and financial organizations. The City is a very small part, it is only one square mile but it is the most commercial centre of the country.

The richest part of London is the West End where you can find the expensive hotels, museums, galleries, theatres, fashionable shops, music-halls, night-clubs and restaurants.

The East End is an industrial district of the capital. There are many factories and the Port of London there. The contrast between the West End and the East End is striking though the district of factories and poor houses has changed. Westminster is the place for government offices.

London has many places of interest. One of the most famous is Trafalgar Square with the Nelson Column in the centre. Not far from Trafalgar Square there is a little street with very ordinary houses. This is Downing Street. For 200 years at house Number 10 the Prime Minister of England has resided.

One of the most beautiful and distinguished of all English buildings is Westminster Abbey, an old beautiful chapel. It was founded in the 11^th century. 41 kings and queens of England were crowned and many of them were buried here. Many British poets and writers are buried here too. Buckingham Palace – the Royal residence – is situated not far from Westminster Abbey.

The Houses of Parliament in London known also as the Palace of Westminster is the place where members of Parliament (M.P.) meet to make laws. The Palace of Westminster stands on the riverside near Westminster Abbey. The Union Jack (the flag of the U.K.) flies from Victoria Tower only when the Parliament is in session. Big Ben, the symbol of London, is also in one of the Towers.

Among the picture galleries - the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery are the most famous.

One of the best known museums is the British museum with its library, reading room and the collection of manuscripts. One of the greatest monuments is St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is the Sir Chrstopher Wren’s masterpiece.

London is full of parks and green spaces: Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Covent Garden and others. Hyde Park is famous for its Speaker’s Corner.

In London there is so much to see that even Londoners can always find new sights. They like to say: “When a man is tired of London he is tired of life.”

7. Дайте відповіді на питання:

4. Who was London founded by? How old is it?

5. Where is London situated?

6. What is the population of London?

7. What main parts is London divided into?

8. What can you tell about the City?

9. What is the principal difference between the East End and the West End?

10. What places of interest are there in London?

Поиск по сайту: