London, the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom, is located in southeastern England along the River Thames. Founded by the Romans as Londinium around AD 47, it has developed over two millennia into one of the world’s most powerful, influential, and dynamic global cities.

London holds the distinction of being among the world’s most powerful, coveted, influential, visited, expensive, sustainable, investment-friendly, and popular-for-work cities. It exerts a remarkable influence across multiple domains including arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, journalism, professional services, research and development, tourism, and transportation.

Economically, London ranks 26th among 300 major global cities in terms of performance and stands as one of the world’s foremost financial centres, with the fifth- or sixth-largest metropolitan GDP. It is also the most visited city globally in terms of international arrivals, while its airport system—comprising Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City airports—is the busiest in the world by passenger flow. London remains a magnet for global investors and hosts the highest number of international retail stores of any city.

The city’s population exceeds 9 million, accounting for approximately 13.4% of the UK’s total population, making it Europe’s fourth most populous city after Moscow, Istanbul, and Paris. London’s diversity is one of its defining features: it is home to people from virtually every nation, and more than 300 languages are spoken across the metropolitan area.

The city boasts five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church, and Greenwich, which is home to the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian (0° longitude). Other world-famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and The Shard.

Culturally, London is one of the richest cities in the world. It houses globally recognized museums, galleries, and libraries such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Modern, and the British Library. Its West End theatres form one of the world’s premier performing arts districts. In essence, London stands as a symbol of history, diversity, innovation, and global connectivity, blending its rich past with a vibrant, forward-looking spirit that continues to shape the modern world.