London is a cosmopolitan mixture of the Third and First Worlds, of chauffeurs and beggars, of the establishment, the avowedly working class and the avant-garde. In the 19th century it was the largest and most influential city in the world, the center of a large and prosperous overseas empire. Although it no longer ranks among the world's most populous cities, London is still one of the world's major financial and cultural capitals.

London has been an inspiration for artists and poets alike throughout the centuries. Its busy streets and waterways with their historical buildings, monuments, and bridges offer the visitor a magnificent overview of British history and heritage. London offers the visitor innumerable outstanding museums and galleries, royal palaces, monuments, quaint squares and peaceful green parks, excellent shops, and exciting nightlife.

By European standards, London is physically spread out and dispersed, without a predominant focal point. It therefore defies easy general description, as the city's character is found in its diverse and distinct sections. Many of these sections began as separate villages, and today they maintain some of their individual identities. London's image is partly defined by its past, as its major buildings and institutions represent 2000 years of community history.

Unlike comparable European cities, much of London looks unplanned and grubby, but that is part of its appeal. Visiting London is like being let loose on a giant-sized Monopoly board clogged with traffic. Even though you probably won't know where the hell you are, at least the names will look reassuringly familiar. The city is so enormous, visitors will need to make maximum use of the underground train system: unfortunately, this dislocates the city's geography and makes it hard to get your bearings. Doing some travelling by bus helps fit the city together.