London
The capital of the British Empire was London - though the empire has since passed, London is one of the world's leading business, financial, and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, technology, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as a major global city. Many of the world's largest corporations have their headquarters in London, the city taking a central role as a part of the wider global economy. In addition London in time and on maps is on the Prime Meridian, running directly through Greenwich (also known as the Greenwich Meridian), with its time zone as GMT+0 (UTC+0). The decision made at the International Meridian Conference was due to the dominance of the British Empire; for logistical reasons, and ‹The template Citation needed span is being considered for possible deletion.› because the United Kingdom and London remain a major global influence, the position remains.
Several sources claim that within the last few years, London has eclipsed New York City as a financial centre, establishing itself as the financial capital of the world.
The situation of numerous iconic landmarks, such as Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, as well as modern architecture such as the Gherkin, Tower 42, the London Eye and the O2 drawing approximately 15 million international tourists in 2010. London was the most visited city in the world for international tourists in 2009.
Read more about this topic: Caput Mundi
Famous quotes containing the word london:
“At length they all to merry London came,
To merry London, my most kindly nurse,
That to me gave this life’s first native source;
Though from another place I take my name,
An house of ancient fame.”
—Edmund Spenser (1552?–1599)
“The most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money, and the most repellent man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor.”
—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930)
“Last night, party at Lansdowne-House. Tonight, party at Lady Charlotte Greville’s—deplorable waste of time, and something of temper. Nothing imparted—nothing acquired—talking without ideas—if any thing like thought in my mind, it was not on the subjects on which we were gabbling. Heigho!—and in this way half London pass what is called life.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)