London is a colorful and vibrant city that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. With long fairytale-like history, architectural marvels, and social and cultural diversity, London never fails to impress.
The Romans were the first official settlers to call London their home.
Before zeroing in on London as the name for England’s capital city, it was known by various other names such as Londonium, Ludenwic, and Ludenburg.
In 2016, London was voted as the 6th most expensive city in the world to live.
No wonder London is one of the richest cities in the world, having as many as 56 billionaires as the city’s permanent residents.
Contrary to popular belief, the name of London’s Clock Tower is not Big Ben. In fact, the bell inside the Clock Tower is called Big Ben.
More than 300 languages are spoken in London by the city’s 8.7 million residents belonging to different nationalities.
Located in Central London, the Shard is the tallest building in Europe.
Built in 2012, this skyscraper has 72 habitable floors.
Whenever the Queen wants to enter London city, she has to take the Mayor’s permission through a ceremony held at Temple Bar.
Since 2003, it is illegal to feed pigeons at London’s Trafalgar Square.
During World War II, London served as the capital of six countries viz., France, Poland, Holland, Belgium, Norway, and of course, the United Kingdom.
London is home to the world’s largest Ferris Wheel, the London Eye, that provides 360-degree panoramic views of the city from up top.
The British royal family has its own flag that is hoisted over the Buckingham Palace whenever the Queen is in residence.
London Underground transports over three million people a day. But most of London Underground actually runs over the ground.
It is illegal to fly a kite on the streets on London as such an act is deemed obstructive, annoying, and destructive for people.
In 1868, the first ever traffic light in the world was installed in London. However, it exploded a month after, injuring a policeman standing nearby.