LONDON (2)

          As well as being the capital of England, London is the capital of the United Kingdom.

          London was founded by the Romans in 43 A.D. and was called Londinium. In 61 A.D. the town was burnt down and when it was rebuilt by the Romans it was surrounded by a wall. That area within the wall is now called the City of London. It is London's commercial and business centre. It contains the Bank of England, The Stock Exchange and the head offices of numerous companies and corporations. Here is situated the Tower of London. The Tower was built by William the Conqueror who conquered England in 1066. He was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Now most of the Government buildings are located there.

           During the Victorian period (16th century) London became an important economic and financial centre.  The Londoners of the Elizabethan period built the first theatres. Nowadays the theatre land is stretched around Picadilly Circus. Not far from is one can see the British Museum and the Covent Garden Opera House.

          During the Victorian period (19th century) London was one of the most important centres of the Industrial Revolution and the centre of the British Empire.

         Today London is a great political centre, a great commercial centre, a paradise for theatre-goers and tourists, but it is also a very quiet place with its parks and its ancient buildings, museums and libraries.

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the capital of England and the United Kingdom?
2. Who was the founder of London? What was London's name then?
3. What is the City?
4. When and by whom was the Tower built?
5. Where are the Government buildings situated?
6. When were the first theatres built?
7. What was London during the Victorian period (19th century)?
8. What is London today?

VOCABULARY:

capital — столица
to found — основывать
surrounded — окруженный
crowned — коронованный
Westminster Abbey — Вестминстерское аббатство
theatre land — район театров
paradise — рай
ancient — древний