Доклад ученицы 9 класса Бачатовой Нигар на тему "London"

London. Sights of London

London is the capital of Great Britain, the largest city of the European Union and one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. The city stands on the River Thames and has been founded by the Romans. Its original name was Londinium. Today, it’s a global city which attracts people from all over the world with its strengths in arts, education, finance, media and, of course, tourism. The city is also known for its national and cultural diversity. More than 300 languages are spoken there. It is noteworthy that London contains four World Heritage Sites, including the Tower of London, Greenwich, Kew Gardens and the Palace of Westminster with its abbey and church. Other remarkable sights include the London Eye ferris wheel, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Hyde Park, the British Museum, Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column, West End theatres, London Aquarium and many other worth visiting places. It is obvious that people of any profession, hobby or interest will find what to see or what to do in London. The city offers a variety of places of natural, cultural and historical significance, as well as leisure and amusement activities.

Most famous tourist attractions of London are situated in the central area of the city and most of the West End. One of the most iconic landmarks is the Palace of Westminster. Connecting the House of Lords and the House of Commons, it is the main center of political life in the UK. The Tower of London, built in the 11th century, is another outstanding landmark of the area. This historic castle is situated on the north bank of the River Thames. Its Crown Jewels and famous ravens attract millions of tourists every year. The Tower serves as a Royal Palace and fortress at the same time. Kew Gardensor the Royal Botanic Gardens hold the world’s largest collection of living plants. The site is in the southwest part of London and comprises 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses. The historic settlement of Greenwich is known for its Royal Observatory, which marks the Prime Meridian, 0° longitude and GMT.

There are a number of unique tourist attractions in London. For example, Big Ben – the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world. London Eye is both for sightseeing and amusement. It’s a giant observation wheel in the center of London which offers visitors the 30-minute ride to reveal great panoramic views over the city. The wheel comprises of 32 capsules each with the capacity of 25 people. One of the tourists’ favorites is the Piccadilly Circus. It’s a road junction and a round open space at the West End which is the location of several notable sights, including the Royal Academy, the Ritz Hotel, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, etc. One of the must-see places in London is Buckingham Palace – the official residence of Queen Elizabeth. Every day tourists gather in front of the palace to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which is rather spectacular. London’s largest museum is the British Museum. It houses one the most impressive archeological collections in the world. Plenty of historical sites can be found in Hyde Park. It was first opened in 1627 and is famous for its Speaker’s Corner. Tourists and Londoners come here to rest at its vast green areas.