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Westminster is named after [[Westminster Abbey]], founded by King [[Edward the Confessor]] on a piece of dry land alongside the [[River Thames]] called Thorney Island. The abbey church is the scene of many of the major national ceremonial acts, including the [[coronation]] of a new monarch. The [[Palace of Westminster]] is close to the Abbey. Still officially a royal palace, the Palace of Westminster is now home to the two Houses of [[Parliament]], the [[House of Commons]] and the [[House of Lords]], which form the British legislature. Most of the major ministries are nearby, many of them lining the street called [[Whitehall]], which has become a shorthand term for the British civil service. The Royal Courts of Justice are also located in Westminster.

Westminster is named after [[Westminster Abbey]], founded by King [[Edward the Confessor]] on a piece of dry land alongside the [[River Thames]] called Thorney Island. The abbey church is the scene of many of the major national ceremonial acts, including the [[coronation]] of a new monarch. The [[Palace of Westminster]] is close to the Abbey. Still officially a royal palace, the Palace of Westminster is now home to the two Houses of [[Parliament]], the [[House of Commons]] and the [[House of Lords]], which form the British legislature. Most of the major ministries are nearby, many of them lining the street called [[Whitehall]], which has become a shorthand term for the British civil service. The Royal Courts of Justice are also located in Westminster.

The City of Westminster also contains a number of major cultural sites. The National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain and the Marshall Collection are among many of the art galleries within its boundaries, and the [[Royal Academy]] also hosts presitigious exhibitions. Shaftesbury Avenue is known as the centre of London's 'Theatreland', and Oxford, Regent and Bond Streets are major retail centres. The [[Soho]] district is alive with cosmopolitan restaurants and bars, while Mayfair and Belgravia are exclusive and hugely expensive reidential districts. The [[United States]] [[Embassy]] is located at Grosvenor Square in Mayfair; many other embassies and [[High Commission]]s are located in Mayfair and, especially, Belgravia.

The City of Westminster also contains a number of major cultural sites. The National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain and the Marshall Collection are among many of the art galleries within its boundaries, and the [[Royal Academy]] also hosts prestigious exhibitions. Shaftesbury Avenue is known as the centre of London's 'Theatreland', and Oxford, Regent and Bond Streets are major retail centres. The [[Soho]] district is alive with cosmopolitan restaurants and bars, while Mayfair and Belgravia are exclusive and hugely expensive reidential districts. The [[United States]] [[Embassy]] is located at Grosvenor Square in Mayfair; many other embassies and [[High Commission]]s are located in Mayfair and, especially, Belgravia.