London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures.

Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who named it Londinium.

London is a leading global city, with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence.

In 2012 London became the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times.

Leisure and entertainment

Within the City of Westminster, the entertainment district of the West End has its focus around Leicester Square, where London and world film premieres are held, and Piccadilly Circus, with its giant electronic advertisements.

Leicester Square

Westminster

London's theatre district is here, as are many cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants, including the city's Chinatown district (in Soho), and just to the east is Covent Garden, an area housing speciality shops.

The United Kingdom's Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Royal Opera and English National Opera are based in London and perform at the Royal Opera House, the London Coliseum, Sadler's Wells Theatre and the Royal Albert Hall as well as touring the country. the

London Coliseum

the Royal Albert Hall

London is home to many museums, galleries, and other institutions, many of which are free of admission charges and are major tourist attractions as well as playing a research role.

The first of these to be established was the British Museum in Bloomsbury, in 1753. Originally containing antiquities, natural history specimens and the national library, the museum now has 7 million artifacts from around the globe.

In 1824 the National Gallery was founded to house the British national collection of Western paintings; this now occupies a prominent position in Trafalgar Square.

Three major national museums are located there: the Victoria and Albert Museum (for the applied arts), the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum.

the Victoria and Albert Museum

the Natural History Museum

Science Museum

London has hosted the Summer Olympics three times: in 1908, 1948, and 2012.London was chosen in July 2005 to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, making it the first city to host the modern Games three times.

London was also the host of the British Empire Games in 1934. London will host the 2017 World Championships in Athletics.

Seal of the Commonwealth Games Federation

Commonwealth Games Federation Flag

London's most popular sport is football and it has fourteen League football clubs, including six in the Premier League: Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United.

London also has four rugby union teams in the Aviva Premiership (London Irish, Saracens, Wasps and Harlequins), although only the Harlequins play in London

This sequence of photographs shows houses along the west side of Upper Baker Street. The official home of Sherlock Holmes at 221b Baker Street is just out of the picture to the right, which is today known as the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle's first reference to the home of Sherlock Holmes was in Upper Baker Street, and this picture sequence of photographs taken at that time clearly show what the street looked like when Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson were engaged on their adventures! Walking up the street from left to right (South to North) we come to New Street which is presently known as Melcombe Street. The Post Office sign points to the post office which is actually in New Street next to the corner grocery store. It's address however is 45, Upper Baker Street - perhaps because at some period it might have been possible to access it from Upper Baker Street. This is the local post office that Holmes and Watson must have used on frequent occasions. The sign in New Street that looks like a wall clock is actually an advertisement. The corner shop and all the adjacent properties in the picture  were demolished in the 1930's to make way for the Abbey National Headquarters building. The Society of Entertainers Agency at No 44 looks as though it is at an angle because the photo was taken from an angle, but in fact it is parallel to the other properties, as can be seen from this picture looking North along the Street. The terrace of houses to the right of the picture, including Sherlock Holmes's house, thankfully still survive today, and visitors are warmly welcome to make their way up the 17 steps to the Great Detective's study overlooking Baker Street.

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881-1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The famous 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully  maintained as it was kept in Victorian Times. Step back in time, and when you visit London, remember to visit the world's most famous address!

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