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A few additions (not much - much more needed!!!!!)
[[Image:Tower bridge London.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Tower Bridge in London.]]
[[Image:Tower bridge London.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Tower Bridge in London.]]
'''London''' is the capital of the [[United Kingdom]] and the largest city in Europe. It was founded by the [[Romans]], and became the capital of [[England]] (taking over from [[Winchester]]) during the reign of [[William II]]. Although London is frequently depicted in the American media as a quaint and historic city perpetually shrouded in fog, the reality is that London is a modern city at the cutting edge of developments in architecture, transport, commerce, industry and entertainment, and fog is a rare occurrence. In fact London is considered by many to be the financial capital of the world, and one of the world's premier cities<ref>{{cite web | last = Z/Yen Limited | title = The Competitive Position of London as a Global Financial Centre | publisher = CityOfLondon.gov.uk | date = November 2005 | url = http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/131B4294-698B-4FAF-9758-080CCE86A36C/0/BC_RS_compposition_FR.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2006-09-17}}</ref><ref>[http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citymap.html The World According to GaWC], GaWC, [[Loughborough University]]</ref>.
'''London''' is the capital of the [[United Kingdom]] and the largest city in Europe.
==History==
London was founded by the [[Romans]] as Londinium, and became the capital of [[England]] (taking over from [[Winchester]]) during the reign of [[William II]]. It grew steadily during the [[middle ages]], during which period it became a major port, specializing in the export of English wool.
In the [[Renaissance]], London became a centre of learning and culture, though the rise of [[Puritanism]] soon put a stop to this.
During the period of the [[British Empire]], London was a key transhipment point for various cargoes, including [[tea]], [[slaves]], [[molasses]], [[jute]], and [[silver]].
During [[World War II]], London was heavily bombed by Germany's air force as a part of [[Operation Sea Lion]].
During [[World War II]], London was heavily bombed by Germany's air force as a part of [[Operation Sea Lion]].
==popular perception==
Although London is frequently depicted in the American media as a quaint and historic city perpetually shrouded in fog, the reality is that London is a modern city at the cutting edge of developments in architecture, transport, commerce, industry and entertainment, and fog is a rare occurrence. In fact London is considered by many to be the financial capital of the world, and one of the world's premier cities<ref>{{cite web | last = Z/Yen Limited | title = The Competitive Position of London as a Global Financial Centre | publisher = CityOfLondon.gov.uk | date = November 2005 | url = http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/131B4294-698B-4FAF-9758-080CCE86A36C/0/BC_RS_compposition_FR.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2006-09-17}}</ref><ref>[http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citymap.html The World According to GaWC], GaWC, [[Loughborough University]]</ref>.
Notable landmarks include the [[Houses of Parliament]], The [[London Eye]] and [[Westminster Abbey]]. The [[London Underground]] (London's subway system, also known as the Tube) is the oldest in the world.
Notable landmarks include the [[Houses of Parliament]], The [[London Eye]] and [[Westminster Abbey]]. The [[London Underground]] (London's subway system, also known as the Tube) is the oldest in the world.