1. London
Eva Kutáčová

3. General info
capital city and the biggest city of England and United Kingdom
population: 9 mil.
area: 1,600 km2
lies on the River Thames
seat of the queen and parliament
32 urban districts
banking centre
the centre of London = Westminster

4. History London was founded in 43 by the Romans (Londinium)
14th century – Black death (third of population died)
1666 – Great fire of London – most of the city destroyed
1831 – 1955: the biggest city in the world
Damage from WW II
2nd half of 20th century – big economy development centre of international trade

5. Transport one of the busiest cities in the world
the best public transport system in the world
the main means of transport is underground which has 12 lines
railways in the suburbs
extensive net of bus transport
Heathrow airport – the busiest airport of the world
Airports- Gatwick, Stansted, Luton

7. Houses of Parliament
Seat of the House of Lords and parliament

8. The Clock Tower „Big Ben“ The most famous building of UK
97 metres high tower
The clock strikes exact
Westminster‘s time
„Big Ben“

9. Tower Bridge Built in 1894 in the Gothic style
The towers are 64 metres high
Bridge opens in 90 seconds

10. Tower of London
The castle with crown jewels

11. Buckingham Palace
The seat of royal family

12. Trafalgar Square
The most famous square of London with Nelson column which is 56 m high

13. Hyde Park One of the biggest parks in London Area: 1.4 km2 Royal park
„Green lungs of London“

14. London Eye
The biggest sightseeing wheel in the world
135m high

15. Holidays and Festivals
January 1 : New Year‘s day
February 14 : Valentine‘s day
March 1 : St. David‘s day
March 17 : St. Patrick‘s day
April 1 : April Fool‘s day
April : Easter
April 23 : St. George‘s day
May 1 : May day
2nd sunday in May : Mother‘s day
October 31 : Halloween
November 5 : Guy Fawkes day
November 11 : Remembrance day
December 25 : Christmas day
December 26 : Boxing day

16. Valentine‘s Day (February 14)
In UK much more popular than in other countries
Tradition: children sing special song
young umarried girls wake up before sunrise, they believe that first man they see on Valentine‘s day would marry them
Girls also write their lover‘s name on paper and put it on balls and drop it to the water, they believe that first man who came would be their future husband

17. Easter (April)
Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday
Special food - Hot-Cross-Buns, Simnel Cake
Painting eggs
Parents hide some eggs in a house or in the garden and children must look for them.

18. Guy Fawkes Day (November 5)
Guy Fawkes was the most famous conspirator, who wanted to blow upt the English parliament in 1605 (Gunpowder plot).
The conspiracy was brought and Guy Fawkes was arrested and killed.
Now, Guy Fawkes day celebrates with fireworks and bonfires.
Some people burn the portrait of Guy Fawkes in bonfire.

19. Boxing Day (December 26)
On a boxing day people gave remains of food from Christmas to some box – present for poor or ill people
Now, on a boxing day most shops discounts (Boxing Day Sale), so people go shopping instead of help poor.