London is immense, busy, important. The nation's capital for a thousand years, it is the centre of government, law, monarchy, media, finance, culture and tourism around which so much orbits.
London is diversity. From the hipsters of Shoreditch to the cafes of Chinatown or the glass towers of Canary Wharf, it's a 24 hour city where nationalities and languages mix freely. London is home. Green, swanky suburbs like Clapham, Putney or Hampstead ring its expensive centre, but many more modestly-priced areas extend out along its spider-web of train and tube lines and motorways, welcoming some 8 million residents.
London is tourism. Landmarks old and new include The Houses of Parliament, The Tower, The London Eye, Oxford Street, Wembley Stadium, The O2, The Shard and the Olympic Park. It flows along the ancient River Thames, past Roman ruins and Shakespeare's Globe, and shelters spectacular museums and art galleries.
London is money. From the docks of yore to the bankers in The City, the media agencies in Fitzrovia or cabbies picking up at Heathrow, its people are merchants by trade. London is Londoners, lifelong or adopted.