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'''London''' is the capital of [[England]] and the [[United Kingdom]], and is the third most populous city in [[Europe]] after [[Istanbul]] and [[Moscow]]. It includes both the [[City of London]] (the Square Mile) and [[Greater London]]. London was the host city of the 2012 [[Olympic Games]], having previously hosted the games in 1908 and 1948, making it the only city to have hosted the games three times. It is on the [[River Thames]].

'''London''' is the capital of [[England]] and the [[United Kingdom]], and is the third most populous city in [[Europe]] after [[Istanbul]] and [[Moscow]]. It includes both the [[City of London]] (the Square Mile) and [[Greater London]]. London was the host city of the 2012 [[Olympic Games]], having previously hosted the games in 1908 and 1948, making it the only city to have hosted the games three times. It is on the [[River Thames]].

London is so large that, similar the second-largest city in England Birmingham, it covers multiple counties; this includes almost all of [[Middlesex]], which includes [[Westminster]], the [[City of London]] and indeed much of western London to the north of the Thames. Areas of eastern London to the north of the Thames are in [[Essex]], with those to the south in [[Kent]]. Western London south of the Thames lies in [[Surrey]], with a small area of north west London lying in [[Hertfordshire]].  

London is so large that, similar to the second-largest city in England, Birmingham, it covers multiple counties; this includes almost all of [[Middlesex]], which includes [[Westminster]], the [[City of London]] and indeed much of western London to the north of the Thames. Areas of eastern London to the north of the Thames are in [[Essex]], with those to the south in [[Kent]]. Western London south of the Thames lies in [[Surrey]], with a small area of north west London lying in [[Hertfordshire]].  

Once the leading city in the world, London has been in decline due to the ravages of [[atheism]] and [[globalism]], including an influx of immigrants hostile to London's traditions. [[John Cleese]], a famous [[English]] comedian, observed:   

Once the leading city in the world, London has been in decline due to the ravages of [[atheism]] and [[globalism]], including an influx of immigrants hostile to London's traditions. [[John Cleese]], a famous [[English]] comedian, observed:   

{{cquote|Some years ago I opined that London was not really an English city any more

{{cquote|Some years ago I opined that London was not really an English city any more

So there must be some truth in it...<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/may/29/john-cleese-criticised-for-saying-london-is-no-longer-an-english-city</ref>}}

So there must be some truth in it...<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/may/29/john-cleese-criticised-for-saying-london-is-no-longer-an-english-city</ref>}}

Although colloquially called a "city" and the "largest city in the UK", London itself does not have city status in its own right; two places within London, the [[City of London]] (pop. 8,583; actually one of England's smallest cities) and [[Westminster]] (204,300), have city status. The largest place with city status in the United Kingdom with city status is actually [[Birmingham]].

Although colloquially called a "city" and the "largest city in the UK", London itself does not have city status in its own right; two places within London, the [[City of London]] (pop. 8,583; actually one of England's smallest cities) and [[Westminster]] (204,300), have city status. The largest place with city status in the United Kingdom is actually [[Birmingham]].

==History==

==History==

Archaeologists have found evidence that the area that would become London had been populated since the [[Ice Age]], the broad Thames Valley with its shallow river, lush meadows and broad-leafed woodlands providing an ideal location in which early farmers settled.

Archaeologists have found evidence that the area that would become London had been populated since the [[Ice Age]], the broad Thames Valley with its shallow river, lush meadows and broad-leafed woodlands providing an ideal location in which early farmers settled.

[[Julius Caesar]] reported in 54 B.C. that, when passing through the area to engage Cassivellaunus in battle, the area was home to many settlements, and in A.D. 43 the Roman invasion force under [[Claudius]] estimated that there were around 5000 inhabitants. The first Roman settlement, called Londinium, was founded in A.D. 50, but was razed to the ground by [[Boudicca]] in A.D. 60. The Roman's second settlement on the site flourished, however, becoming a key port and centre for trade and commerce. By A.D. 100, its population had reached around 45,000 and it replaced Camulodunum (modern day [[Colchester]]) as the capital.  

[[Julius Caesar]] reported in 54 B.C. that, when passing through the area to engage Cassivellaunus in battle, the area was home to many settlements, and in A.D. 43 the Roman invasion force under [[Claudius]] estimated that there were around 5,000 inhabitants. The first Roman settlement, called Londinium, was founded in A.D. 50, but was razed to the ground by [[Boudicca]] in A.D. 60. The Romans' second settlement on the site flourished, however, becoming a key port and centre for trade and commerce. By A.D. 100, its population had reached around 45,000 and it replaced Camulodunum (modern-day [[Colchester]]) as the capital.  

[[Image:Westminster Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Westminster Abbey.]]

[[Image:Westminster Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Westminster Abbey.]]

As the Roman occupation began to draw to a close in the 5th century, the Roman population fell until by 410 it was abandoned completely. The [[Angle]]s, [[Saxon]]s and [[Jute]]s were quick to take advantage of the now undefended Britain, and the Saxons won their first major victory in [[Kent]] in 457, giving them control over Londinium and the surrounding region. Renamed Lundenwic, the settlement once again became a thriving population centre and by 600 had become the base of political power in Saxon-occupied Britain, which accounted for around half of the country. Lundenwic changed hands again in the 9th century, when feuding between Saxon leaders allowed the [[Dane]]s to take control.  

As the Roman occupation began to draw to a close in the 5th century, the Roman population fell until by 410 it was abandoned completely. The [[Angle]]s, [[Saxon]]s and [[Jute]]s were quick to take advantage of the now undefended Britain, and the Saxons won their first major victory in [[Kent]] in 457, giving them control over Londinium and the surrounding region. Renamed Lundenwic, the settlement once again became a thriving population centre and by 600 had become the base of political power in Saxon-occupied Britain, which accounted for around half of the country. Lundenwic changed hands again in the 9th century, when feuding between Saxon leaders allowed the [[Dane]]s to take control.  

[[File:Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg The Great Fire of London 1797 .jpg|thumb|left|[[Philippe De Loutherbourg|Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg]], The Great Fire of London.]]

[[File:Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg The Great Fire of London 1797 .jpg|thumb|left|[[Philippe De Loutherbourg|Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg]], The Great Fire of London.]]

In 871, the English king of [[Wessex]], Alfred, fought the Danes for control and regained most of the city, although the Danes retained the eastern-most section, which today corresponds to the East End.  

In 871, the English king of [[Wessex]], Alfred, fought the Danes for control and regained most of the city, although the Danes retained the easternmost section, which today corresponds to the East End.  

In 1666 the city was nearly destroyed by the Great Fire. Starting on Pudding Lane in a bakers shop the small fire spread to engulf nearly 80% of the city. Despite the massive loss of property loss of life was minimal. With estimates ranging from a 2 to 16.  

In 1666, the city was nearly destroyed by the Great Fire. Starting on Pudding Lane in a baker's shop, the small fire spread to engulf nearly 80% of the city. Despite the massive loss of property, loss of life was minimal, With estimates ranging from 2 to 16.

In the [[Renaissance]], London became a centre of learning and culture, though the rise of [[Puritans|Puritanism]] in the late 16th century temporarily stifled much art and culture within the city centre. A lot of what Puritans deemed 'unacceptable' moved to the South Bank (the land lying on the south-side of the River Thames). [[Shakespeare's Globe theatre]] was located in this area.

In the [[Renaissance]], London became a centre of learning and culture, though the rise of [[Puritans|Puritanism]] in the late 16th century temporarily stifled much art and culture within the city centre. A lot of what Puritans deemed 'unacceptable' moved to the South Bank (the land lying on the south side of the River Thames). [[Shakespeare's Globe theatre]] was located in this area.

During the period of the [[British Empire]], London was a key transshipment point for various cargoes, including tea, molasses, jute, and silver, indeed, anything traded in by the [[East India Company]].

During the period of the [[British Empire]], London was a key transshipment point for various cargoes, including tea, molasses, jute, and silver; indeed, anything traded in by the [[East India Company]].

During [[World War II]], London was heavily bombed by Germany's air force in [[the Blitz]] of 1940-41 and in 1944-45 was attacked by [[V-1]] 'flying bombs' and [[V-2]] missiles.

During [[World War II]], London was heavily bombed by Germany's air force in [[the Blitz]] of 1940-41 and in 1944-45 was attacked by [[V-1]] 'flying bombs' and [[V-2]] missiles.

===2020 Leftwing protests===

===2020 Leftwing protests===

:{{See also|2020 Leftwing insurrection}}

:{{See also|2020 Leftwing insurrection}}

London staged protests by the leftwing [[fascist]] organization [[Antifa]].<ref>https://nypost.com/2020/05/31/george-floyd-protests-erupt-in-berlin-london-and-toronto/</ref>  In support of alleged protests over the death of [[George Floyd]], on the 76th anniversary of the liberation of [[Europe]] from [[Nazi]] occupation by [[British]] and [[American]] soldiers, [[socialist]]s defaced the statue of [[Winston Churchill]] who led the [[UK]] to victory over [[Adolph Hitler]] and fascism.<ref>https://youtu.be/QB2z05j-V6o</ref>  [[Black Lives Matter]] protesters defaced the statue of [[Abraham Lincoln]] who signed the [[Emancipation Proclamation]].<ref>https://www.redstate.com/alexparker/2020/06/06/london-protestors-black-lives-matter-london-abraham-lincoln-statue/</ref>

London staged protests by the left-wing [[fascist]] organization [[Antifa]].<ref>https://nypost.com/2020/05/31/george-floyd-protests-erupt-in-berlin-london-and-toronto/</ref>  In support of alleged protests over the death of [[George Floyd]], on the 76th anniversary of the liberation of [[Europe]] from [[Nazi]] occupation by [[British]] and [[American]] soldiers, [[socialist]]s defaced the statue of [[Winston Churchill]] who led the [[UK]] to victory over [[Adolph Hitler]] and fascism.<ref>https://youtu.be/QB2z05j-V6o</ref>  [[Black Lives Matter]] protesters defaced the statue of [[Abraham Lincoln]] who signed the [[Emancipation Proclamation]].<ref>https://www.redstate.com/alexparker/2020/06/06/london-protestors-black-lives-matter-london-abraham-lincoln-statue/</ref>

==Government of London==

==Government of London==

==Popular perception==

==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 as well as the theater 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> a position bolstered by the fact that it contains rich and diverse cultures, due to many waves of immigration since the 17th century. According to the 2011 census, 55.1% of the population of London are not White British making it majority-minority.

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 as well as the theater 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> a position bolstered by the fact that it contains rich and diverse cultures, due to many waves of immigration since the 17th century. According to the 2011 census, 55.1% of the population of London are not White British, making it majority-minority.

Notable landmarks include the [[Houses of Parliament]], The [[London Eye]], [[Buckingham Palace]] and [[Westminster Abbey]].  

Notable landmarks include the [[Houses of Parliament]], The [[London Eye]], [[Buckingham Palace]] and [[Westminster Abbey]].