London

Lore & Background

The name London is attested in the first century AD, usually in the Latinised form Londinium. The first major settlement was founded by the Romans around AD 47. London grew rapidly in the 19th century, becoming the world's largest city at the time. Until 1889, the name 'London' applied officially only to the City of London, but since then it has also denoted the County of London and Greater London.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell softly on the hallowed turf of Wembley, turning the grass a deep, vibrant green under the floodlights. The air was thick with anticipation, a palpable electricity humming between the stands packed with tens of thousands of voices chanting in unison. A lone player stood over the penalty spot, the weight of history pressing down on his shoulders, knowing that this moment would be etched into the annals of London's sporting legacy forever.

Reader's Guide

Landmarks include the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square. The city has the most museums, art galleries, libraries and cultural venues in the UK, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, the British Library and numerous West End theatres. Annual sporting events include the FA Cup Final (held at Wembley Stadium), the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the London Marathon.

Did You Know?

• London became the first city to host three Summer Olympic Games upon hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics after previously hosting in 1908 and 1948.
• The London Underground is the world's oldest rapid transit system.
• London's diverse cultures encompass over 300 languages.
• The 2025 population of Greater London of 9.14 million made it Europe's third-most populous city.