All CitiesCity Coin · City Guide
London
Centuries of History, Alive Today
A city of extraordinary depth — where Roman walls stand beside glass towers, where royal pageantry and punk rock coexist, and where the world's most diverse population calls one city home.
Overview
City Overview
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of approximately 9 million in the city proper and over 14 million in the greater metropolitan area. Straddling the River Thames in southeastern England, it has been a major settlement for nearly two millennia, founded by the Romans as Londinium around 43 AD.
As the capital of a former empire that once covered a quarter of the earth's surface, London is one of the world's most international cities. It is a global leader in finance, arts, education, fashion, and media, consistently ranked among the top three most visited cities on earth. Its cultural institutions — the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern — are among the finest in the world.
Environment
Geography & Climate
1,572 km²
Area
9.0M
Population
43 AD
Founded
Thames
River
London covers 1,572 square kilometres in the Thames Valley, where the river widens as it flows eastward toward the North Sea. The city is relatively flat, with the highest point at Westerham Heights in the London Borough of Bromley at just 245 metres. The Thames is tidal through the city, and the Thames Barrier protects London from storm surges.
London has a temperate oceanic climate, famously mild and overcast. Summers are warm but rarely hot (average 23°C in July), winters are cool and damp (average 8°C in January), and rain is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. The city receives about 600mm of rainfall annually — less than Rome or Miami — though its reputation for grey skies is well-earned.
Administration
Administrative Boroughs
Greater London is divided into 32 boroughs plus the City of London, each with its own council and distinct character.
City of London
The historic 'Square Mile' — London's ancient core and one of the world's leading financial centres, home to the Bank of England, Lloyd's of London, and the London Stock Exchange.
Westminster
The political and ceremonial heart of Britain, containing Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, and the West End's theatres and shops.
Southwark
The vibrant south bank of the Thames, home to the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market, and the Shard — London's tallest building at 310 metres.
Camden
London's bohemian heartland — famous for its market, alternative music scene, canal-side walks, and the eclectic mix of cultures that made it a global counterculture hub.
Kensington & Chelsea
London's most affluent borough, home to the Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, Harrods, and the leafy streets of Notting Hill and Chelsea.
Tower Hamlets
A rapidly transforming East End borough encompassing the Tower of London, Canary Wharf's financial towers, and the vibrant Bangladeshi community of Brick Lane.
Must-See
Landmarks & Attractions
Tower of London
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most famous fortresses. Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, it has served as a royal palace, prison, and treasury — and still houses the Crown Jewels.
Buckingham Palace
The official London residence of the British monarch since 1837. The Changing of the Guard ceremony outside its gilded gates is one of London's most beloved spectacles.
The British Museum
One of the world's greatest museums, housing eight million works spanning two million years of human history. The Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles are among its most celebrated treasures.
Big Ben & Parliament
The iconic Gothic Revival clock tower (officially the Elizabeth Tower) and the Houses of Parliament on the north bank of the Thames — the defining image of London and British democracy.
Tate Modern
The world's most visited modern art museum, housed in a converted Bankside power station. Its turbine hall hosts spectacular large-scale installations by leading contemporary artists.
Hyde Park
One of London's eight Royal Parks, covering 142 hectares in the heart of the city. Home to the Serpentine Gallery, Speaker's Corner, and the Diana Memorial Fountain.
Food & Drink
Local Cuisine
Modern London is one of the world's great food cities — a direct product of its multicultural heritage. Traditional British classics sit alongside world-class Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and West African cooking.
Fish & Chips
Britain's national dish — battered and deep-fried cod or haddock with thick-cut chips, served with mushy peas, tartar sauce, and a splash of malt vinegar. Best eaten from paper by the sea.
Full English Breakfast
The legendary fry-up: back bacon, fried eggs, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, black pudding, and toast. A hearty morning institution in cafés and pubs across the city.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Often called Britain's national dish, this creamy, spiced tomato-based curry was perfected by South Asian immigrants in London and Birmingham. A cornerstone of British-Indian cuisine.
Afternoon Tea
The quintessential British ritual — finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of pastries, served with a pot of Earl Grey or Darjeeling.
Pie & Mash
A working-class East End staple since the 19th century — minced beef pie with mashed potato and liquor (a parsley sauce), still served in traditional pie-and-mash shops across London.
Eton Mess
A classic British dessert of crushed meringue, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries — traditionally served at Eton College's annual cricket match against Harrow School.