London

London (in Arabic: لندن) is a city located on the River Thames in the southern part of the United Kingdom, and it is the largest city in the country and its capital. It covers an area of 1,572 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 9 million people according to the 2018 statistics. As a result, it is the largest city in Europe and a significant political, economic, and cultural center. The city is known for its numerous theaters, universities, museums, and institutes, and it serves as the headquarters for many major international companies.

Name and History:

When the Romans established the city in 43 AD, they quickly developed it and built a port on the River Thames, which they called Londinium, and this is where the city's name originated.

London's history began with its establishment by the Romans in 43 AD. In the early 3rd century AD, the Romans began building a wall surrounding the city and took care of its civilization. They stayed in London until 410 AD when Barbarian tribes began attacking the Roman capital, Rome. The Roman soldiers withdrew from what is now known as Britain, marking the year of the Roman exodus and the end of their rule over Britain. London went through a period of stagnation and neglect between the 5th and 11th centuries, with not much happening during that time. However, with the beginning of the 11th century, changes started to appear with the rule of the Saxon King Edward, who made various updates and built his palace in London, which he called Westminster. After him came William, who granted self-governance to the people of London, built many cathedrals and castles, and started building the Tower of London. This is when London's landmarks began to appear and reached their peak at the beginning of the 12th century. London expanded from the early 16th century to the mid-17th century when King Henry VIII used Westminster as his residence. After his death, the palace turned into a parliament building. During the rule of Queen Elizabeth I, London turned into an important commercial center and theaters were opened, where the genius of theater and literature, Shakespeare, appeared. After that, London faced calamities such as fires and the plague that extended to the end of the 17th century.

Climate:

London has a temperate maritime climate, where summers are warm with average temperatures ranging from 13 to 20 degrees Celsius, while winters are mild with average temperatures ranging from 2 to 11 degrees Celsius, accompanied by varying levels of rainfall. London recorded its highest temperature in the summer of 2003, reaching 37.9 degrees Celsius.

Famous Places in London:

• The British Museum
• Madame Tussauds Museum
• Greenwich
• Hyde Park
• Trafalgar Square
• Piccadilly Circus
• St. Paul's Cathedral
• Buckingham Palace
• Big Ben
• Tower of London
• London Eye

These famous places and attractions make London one of the most visited cities in the world and a vibrant destination for tourists and travelers.