London City
London is capital of the United Kingdom (UK), which is made up of Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and Northern Ireland. The city lies in the south-east of England and covers an area of about 1,578 square kilometers on either side of River Thames. With a population of about 7,700,000. London is by far the largest city in UK. Birmingham, the second largest city, has just over 2 million inhabitants.
London lost many buildings in Great Fire and the Blitz, but it still contains magnificent architecture from the past as well as some dazzling new structures. Thirty-four bridges span the Thames in Greater London. The oldest is London Bridge, which was originally made of wood. In 1209 it was replaced by a stone bridge with shops and houses along its sides. This was followed by a granite bridge in 1831 and the present concrete bridge in 1973.
Green open spaces, from formal parks to rough, open land, cover about a tenth of Greater London. Many are outskirts of capitals, but even the crowded West End and City have plenty of attractive parks and garden. Hyde Park covers 140 hectares. It is next to the 111-hectares Kensington Gardens, and together they form the largest green space in the center of the city. Hyde Park contains the Serpentine boating lake and Speaker’s corner, where anyone can make a speech. Regent’s Park, to the north, has houses designed by Josh Nash, plus London Zoo and open air theatre.
Until the late 19th century, London schools were run by churches and charities. Many children received no education. In 1880 a new law ordered children to attend school up to the age of eleven. Now all British children must go to school between the ages of five and sixteen. Although the official school starting age is five, the British Government encourages parents to send their children to nurseries. Over half of London’s three- and four-years-olds go to school. Often they attend for just a few days a week, or for half days only. Primary education, for all children, is usually at an infant’ school from ages five to seven, then at junior school until eleven.
Housing in London
Before the Great fire, most Londoners had wooden homes in the City. After the fire, London expanded and building styles were more varied. People now live in all kinds of houses and flats. The Victorians improved the housing conditions for London’s poor. At first, charities or individuals built homes for the needy. Then, in 1890, the Housing of the Working Classes Act was passed and local governments began to clear slums and build council housing. This was affordable for poor people.
Many Londoners still call themselves Christians but now members of other religions, such as Islam and Hinduism, also live in capital. Over the years, Christians in London have founded many organizations to help people in trouble. William Booth set up the Salvation Army in 1865 to convert people to Christianity and give them practical help. It still runs hostels for the homeless. In 1953 the Reverend Chad Varah founded the Samaritans in the church of St Stephen Walkbrook. Since then, anyone with problem has been able to phone a member of the organization at any time of the day or night.
