London

London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) estuary leading to the North Sea. London has been a major settlement for two millennia. The City of London, its ancient core and financial centre, was founded by the Romans as Londinium. Known colloquially as the Square Mile, it retains boundaries that closely follow its medieval limits. The adjacent City of Westminster has for centuries housed the national government. London has 31 additional boroughs north and south of the river. The London region is governed by the mayor of London and the London Assembly.