London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom, and the monumental metropolitan area in the European Union.

London is the world's principal global city and the largest financial centre alongside New York City and Tokyo. It is one of the major cultural hubs. The ancient City of London, the city's core, still preserves its legendary medieval margins.

London has a wide range of people, cultures, and religions, and more than 300 languages are spoken in the city walls. The public underground transportation network, known as the "tube", is the most extensive in the world and London Heathrow Airport is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic and the airspace is the busiest of any city in the world.

The U.K. capital has a huge role in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and arts of all kind. The city is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors. London was named by New York Magazine as the capital of the world for the 21st century. London hosted the 1908 and 1948 Summer Olympics and will host the 2012 Summer Olympics.