Great Britain-London

Great Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is separated from the continent of Europe by the English Channel and the North Sea.

There are many rivers in Britain, but they are not long, the longest being the Thames. Many canals are known to have been built to connect the inland water ways. In the mountainous North-West there are many fine lakes, this part being called the Lake District. There is a great deal of rain there. In general the rainfall in Great Britain is greater than in the rest of Europe. Due to the Gulf Stream the climate of Britain is mild and damp. And the weather is very changeable.

Britain is a parliamentary monarchy, but In practice it is governed by Parliament that consists of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work.

Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, etc.

London is a city of striking socialist contrasts. The West End which lies to the West of the City is the richest and most beautiful part of London. One can see the finest theatres, cinemas, concert- halls, the largest museums, art galleries, best hotels, restaurants, the biggest shops and department store's there. The East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here.

There are many another places of interest in London, for example the famous "Big Ben", Trafalgar Square, Hiden Park. But better you come and visit it yourself.