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{{distinguish|London}}
<!-- Infobox begins -->
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = City of London
|other_name = <sub>The City • Square Mile</sub>
|native_name =
|nickname =
|settlement_type =
|motto = Domine dirige nos </br><small>([[Latin]]: ''Lord, guide us'')</small>
|image_skyline = London from the air.jpg
|imagesize = 260px
|image_caption = Aerial view of the City of London
|image_flag = Flag of the City of London.svg
|flag_size = 100px
|image_shield = Coat of Arms of The City of London.svg
|shield_size = 100px
|image_blank_emblem =
|blank_emblem_type = <!-- defaults to Logo -->
|blank_emblem_size =
|blank_emblem_alt =
|image_map = LondonCity.svg
|mapsize = 200px
|map_caption = Shown within [[Greater London]]
|pushpin_map =
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_map_caption =
|pushpin_mapsize =
|coordinates_region = GB
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
|subdivision_name = [[United Kingdom]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Constituent country]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[England]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of England|Region]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Greater London|London]]
|subdivision_type3 = Status
|subdivision_name3 = ''[[Sui generis]]''; [[City status in the United Kingdom|City]] and [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]]
|subdivision_type4 = Admin HQ
|subdivision_name4 = [[Guildhall, London|Guildhall]]
|government_type =
|leader_title = [[Local government in England|Local authority]]
|leader_name = [[City of London Corporation]]
|leader_title1 = [[Lord Mayor of London|Lord Mayor]]
|leader_name1 = [[Michael Bear (Lord Mayor)|Michael Bear]]
|leader_title2 = [[MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 2010|Member of Parliament]]
|leader_name2 = [[Mark Field]] ([[Cities of London and Westminster (UK Parliament constituency)|Cities of London and Westminster]])
|leader_title3 = [[London Assembly]]
|leader_name3 = [[John Biggs (politician)|John Biggs]] ([[City and East (London Assembly constituency)|City and East]])
|leader_title4 = [[Town Clerk of London|Town Clerk]]
|leader_name4 = [[Chris Duffield]]
|established_title = [[Roman Empire|Roman]] settlement
|established_date = [[circa|c.]] 47 [[Anno Domini|AD]]<br />(''[[Londinium]]'')
|established_title2 = [[Kingdom of Wessex|Wessex]] resettlement
|established_date2 = 886 AD<br />(''[[Lundenburh]]'')
|established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3 =
|parts_type = Subdivisions
|parts_style = coll
|parts = [[Wards of the City of London|25 Wards]]
|p1 = [[Aldersgate]]
|p2 = [[Aldgate]]
|p3 = [[Bassishaw]]
|p4 = [[Billingsgate]]
|p5 = [[Bishopsgate]]
|p6 = [[Bread Street]]
|p7 = [[Bridge (ward)|Bridge]]
|p8 = [[Broad Street (ward)|Broad Street]]
|p9 = [[Candlewick]]
|p10 = [[Castle Baynard]]
|p11 = [[Cheap (ward)|Cheap]]
|p12 = [[Coleman Street]]
|p13 = [[Cordwainer (ward)|Cordwainer]]
|p14 = [[Cornhill, London|Cornhill]]
|p15 = [[Cripplegate]]
|p16 = [[Dowgate]]
|p17 = [[Farringdon Within]]
|p18 = [[Farringdon Without]]
|p19 = [[Langbourn]]
|p20 = [[Lime Street (ward)|Lime Street]]
|p21 = [[Portsoken]]
|p22 = [[Queenhithe]]
|p23 = [[Tower (ward)|Tower]]
|p24 = [[Vintry]]
|p25 = [[Walbrook]]
|area_magnitude = 1 E6
|unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 = 2.90
|area_land_km2 =
|area_water_km2 =
|area_water_percent =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_metro_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2009 est.
|population_footnotes =
|population_note = Population [[List of English districts by population|Ranked 325/326]]
|population_total = 11500
|population_footnotes = <ref name="2009pop"/>
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_metro =
|population_urban =
|population_blank1_title = Ethnicity
|population_blank1 = 84.4% White<br />(68.3% British<br />12.8% non-British<br />3.3% Irish)<br />6.8% [[British Asian|South Asian]]<br />2.6% [[British African-Caribbean community|African-Caribbean]]<br />2.0% [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
|population_blank2_title = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
|population_blank2 = 00AA
|timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
|utc_offset = 0
|timezone_DST = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +1
|latd = 51.5155
|longd =-0.0922
|coordinates_display = inline,title
|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_min_m = 6
|elevation_max_m = 18
|postal_code_type = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcodes]]
|postal_code = [[EC postcode area|EC]], [[WC postcode area|WC]] & [[E postcode area|E1]]
|area_code = [[020]]
|blank_name = [[Patron saint]]
|blank_info = [[Paul the Apostle|St Paul]]
|blank1_name = [[List of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom|Police force]]
|blank1_info = [[City of London Police]]
|blank2_name = [[Transport for London]] zones
|blank2_info = [[List of stations in London fare zone 1|Fare zone 1]] & [[London congestion charge|central congestion charge zone]]
|website = http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
|footnotes =
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->
The '''City of London''' is a small area within [[Greater London]], [[United Kingdom]]. It is the historic core of [[London]] around which the modern [[conurbation]] grew and has held [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] since [[time immemorial]]. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the [[Middle Ages]], and it is now only a tiny part of the [[metropolis]] of London, though remains a notable part of [[Central London]]. It is often referred to as '''the City''' (often written on maps as "City") or the '''Square Mile''', as it is just over one square mile ({{convert|1.12|sqmi|km2|2|abbr=on|lk=off|disp=/}})<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/nr/rdonlyres/10feeb0b-3ded-4c2d-93d1-8534fcb28cc5/0/Census%202001.pdf |format=PDF| accessdate=2009-04-10 | title=City of London Resident Population Census 2001 | publisher = ''Corporation of London'' | month=July | year=2005}}</ref> in area. These terms are also often used as [[Metonymy|metonyms]] for the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[financial services]] industry, which has historically been based here.

In the medieval period, the City was the full extent of London. The term ''London'' now refers to a much larger conurbation roughly corresponding to Greater London, a local government area which includes 32 [[London borough]]s as well as the City of London. The local authority for the City, the [[City of London Corporation]], is unique in the United Kingdom, and has some unusual responsibilities for a local authority in Britain, such as being the police authority for the City. It also has responsibilities and ownerships beyond the City's boundaries. The Corporation is headed by the [[Lord Mayor of the City of London]], an office separate from (and much older than) the [[Mayor of London]].

The City is today a major business and [[financial centre]], [[Global Financial Centres Index|ranking on a par]] with [[New York City]] as the leading centre of [[global finance]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zyen.com/PDF/GFC%207.pdf#page=30 |title=Global Financial Centres 7 |publisher=[[Z/Yen]] |year=2010 |accessdate=2010-04-21}}</ref> throughout the 19th century, the City served as the world's primary business centre, and continues to be a major meeting point for businesses to this day.<ref name="world and its people">{{cite book
|last = Dunton
|first = Larkin
|authorlink =
|title = The World and Its People
|publisher = Silver, Burdett
|series =
|year = 1896
|page = 24}}</ref> London came top in the [[Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index]], published in 2008.

The City has a resident population of approximately 8,000, but around 320,000 people work there, mainly in the financial services sector. The legal profession form a major component of the western side of the City, especially in [[The Temple (London)|the Temple]] and [[Chancery Lane]] areas; these are where the [[Inns of Court]] are located, of which two — [[Inner Temple]] and [[Middle Temple]] — fall within the City of London boundary.

==History==
{{Main|History of London}}

===Toponymy===
The [[etymology of London|name "London"]] is now used for a wider area than just the City of London, which is often known simply as 'The City'.<ref name="Mills">{{cite book|title=Dictionary of London Place Names|year=2001|surname=Mills|first=A.D.|publisher=Oxford}}</ref> This usage is documented as far back as the 16th century. 'The City' also denotes the trading and financial community based there. In this context it is also colloqually known as 'The Square Mile'.<ref name="Mills"/>

===Roman origins===
[[File:Southwark Bridge City Plaque.JPG|thumb|right|Plaque near Southwark Bridge noting the activities around the time of [[Alfred the Great|King Alfred]].]]
[[File:London 1300 Historical Atlas William R Shepherd (died 1934).PNG|thumb|right|Map of London c. 1300.]]
It is believed that [[Roman London]] was established as a trading port by merchants on the tidal [[River Thames|Thames]] around 47 AD. The new settlement and port was centred where the shallow valley of the [[Walbrook]] meets the Thames. However in AD 60 or 61, little more than ten years after ''Londinium'' was founded, it was sacked by the [[Iceni]], led by the their queen [[Boudica]]. Londinium was rebuilt as a planned settlement (a ''[[civitas]]'') soon after and the new town was prosperous and grew to become the largest settlement in [[Roman Britain]] by the end of the first century. By the beginning of the 2nd century, Londinium had replaced [[Camulodunum|Colchester]] as the capital of Roman Britain ("''Britannia''").

At its height, the Roman city had a population of approximately 45,000-60,000 inhabitants. The Romans built the [[London Wall]] some time between 190 and 225. The boundaries of the Roman city were similar to those of the City of London today, though Londinium did not extend further west than [[Ludgate]]/the [[River Fleet]] and the Thames was considerably wider than today, thus the shoreline of the city was north of its present position. The Romans built a bridge across the river, as early as 50 AD, near to where [[London Bridge]] stands.

A number of Roman sites and artefacts can be seen in the City of London today, including the [[London Mithraeum|Temple of Mithras]], sections of the London Wall (at the Barbican and near the Tower of London), the [[London Stone]] and remains of the amphitheatre beneath the Guildhall. The [[Museum of London]], located in the City, holds many of the Roman finds and has permanent Roman exhibitions, as well as being a source of information on Roman London generally.

===Decline===
By the time of the construction of the London Wall, the city's fortunes were in decline, with problems of plague and fire. The Roman Empire entered a long period of [[Decline of the Roman Empire|instability and decline]], including for example the [[Carausian Revolt]] in Britain. In the third and fourth centuries, the city was under attack from [[Picts]], Scots and [[Saxons|Saxon]] raiders. The decline continued, both for Londinium and the Empire, and in 410 AD the Romans withdrew entirely from Britain. Many of the Roman public buildings in Londinium by this time had fallen into decay and disuse, and gradually after the formal withdrawal the city became almost (if not, at times, entirely) uninhabited. The centre of trade and population moved away from the walled ''Londinium'' to [[Lundenwic]] ("London market"), a settlement to the west, roughly in the modern day [[Strand, London|Strand]]/[[Aldwych]]/[[Covent Garden]] area.

===Anglo-Saxon restoration===
{{Main|Anglo-Saxon London}}

During the Anglo-Saxon [[Heptarchy]], the London area came under the Kingdoms of [[Mercia]] and then later [[Wessex]], though was frequently under the control or threat of the [[Vikings]] and [[Kingdom of Denmark|Danes]].

[[Alfred the Great]], [[King of Wessex]] and often regarded as the first [[King of England]], occupied and began the resettlement of the old [[Roman Empire|Roman]] walled area, in [[886]], and appointed his son-in-law [[Earl Aethelred of Mercia|Earl Æthelred of Mercia]] over it as part of their reconquest of the Viking occupied parts of England. The refortified Anglo-Saxon settlement was known as [[Lundenburh]] ("London Fort", a [[borough]]). The historian Asser stated that "Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, restored the city of London splendidly ... and made it habitable once more."<ref>Asser's ''Life of King Alfred'', ch. 83, trans. Simon Keynes and Michael Lapidge, ''Alfred the Great: Asser's Life of King Alfred & Other Contemporary Sources'' (Penguin Classics) (1984), pp. 97-8.</ref> Alfred's "restoration" entailed reoccupying and refurbishing the nearly deserted Roman walled city, building quays along the Thames, and laying a new city street plan.<ref>[[Alan Vince|Vince, Alan]], ''Saxon London: An Archaeological Investigation'', The Archaeology of London series (1990).</ref>

Alfred's taking of London and the rebuilding of the old Roman city was a marking point in history, not only as the permanent establishment of the City of London, but also as part of a unifying moment in early English history, with Wessex becoming the dominant English kingdom and the repealing (to some degree) of the Viking occupation and raids. Whilst London, and indeed England, afterwards would continue to come under further periods of Viking and Dane raids and occupation, the establishment of the City of London and the [[Kingdom of England]] prevailed.<ref>''London: The Biography'', 2000, [[Peter Ackroyd]], p. 33-35</ref>

In the tenth century, [[Athelstan]] permitted eight [[royal mint|mints]] to be established, compared with six in his capital, [[Winchester, Hampshire|Winchester]], indicating the wealth of the city. London Bridge, which had fallen into ruin following the Roman evacuation and abandonment of ''Londinium'', was rebuilt by the Saxons, but was periodically destroyed by Viking raids and storms.

As the focus of trade and population was moved back to within the old Roman walls, the older Saxon settlement of Lundenwic was largely abandoned and gained the name of ''Ealdwic'' (the "old settlement"). The name survives today as [[Aldwych]] (the "old market-place"), now a name given to a street and an area which lies in the [[City of Westminster]] between [[Westminster]] and the City of London.

===Medieval and early modern periods===
{{See also|Norman and Medieval London}}
[[File:Civitas Londinium or The Agas Map of London.jpg|thumb|right|Civitas Londinium; Agas' Map of London, (1570-1605?)]]
[[File:Great fire of london map.png|thumb|right|Map showing the extent of the [[Great Fire of London]].]]
[[Image:Great Fire London.jpg|thumb|right|The 1666 Great Fire destroyed nearly 80% of the City.]]
Following the [[Battle of Hastings]], [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]] marched on London, to [[Southwark]] and failed to get across London Bridge or to defeat the Londoners. He eventually crossed the River Thames at [[Wallingford, Oxfordshire|Wallingford]], pillaging the land as he went. Rather than continuing the war, [[Edgar Atheling|Edgar Ætheling]], [[Edwin, Earl of Mercia|Edwin of Mercia]] and [[Morcar, Earl of Northumbria|Morcar of Northumbria]] surrendered at [[Berkhamsted]]. William rewarded London in granting the citizens a charter in 1075; the City of London was one of the few institutions where the English retained some authority. The City was not covered by the [[Domesday Book]].

William ensured against attack by building three castles nearby, to keep the Londoners subdued:

* [[Tower of London]]
* [[Baynard's Castle]]
* [[Montfichet's Castle]]

In 1132, [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] recognised full [[county corporate|County]] status for the City, and by 1141 the whole body of the [[citizen]]ry was considered to constitute a single community. This 'commune' was the origin of the [[City of London Corporation]] and the citizens gained the right to appoint, with the king's consent, a Mayor in 1189 and to directly elect the Mayor from 1215.

The City continues to be composed of [[Wards of the City of London|25 ancient wards]], each headed by an [[Alderman]], who chair the Wardmotes. There was a [[Folkmoot]] for the whole of the city held at the outdoor cross of [[St Paul's Cathedral]]. Many of the medieval positions and traditions continue to the present day, demonstrating the unique institution which the City, and its [[Corporation of London|Corporation]], is.

The City was burned severely on a number of occasions, the worst being in 1123 and then again (and more famously) in the [[Great Fire of London]] in 1666. Both of these fires were referred to as ''the'' Great Fire. After the fire of 1666, a number of plans were drawn up to remodel the City and its street pattern into a [[renaissance]]-style city with planned urban blocks, squares and boulevards. These plans were almost entirely not taken up, and the medieval street pattern re-emerged almost intact.

By the late 16th century London increasingly became a major centre for banking and international trade and commerce. The [[Royal Exchange, London|Royal Exchange]] was founded in 1565 by Sir [[Thomas Gresham]] to act as a centre of [[commerce]] for London's merchants and gained Royal patronage in 1571. Although no longer used for its original purpose, its location at the corner of [[Cornhill, London|Cornhill]] and [[Threadneedle Street]] continues to be the geographical centre for the City's core of banking and financial services, with the [[Bank of England]] moving to its present site in 1734, opposite the Royal Exchange on Threadneedle Street.

===Growth of London===
[[Image:St Pauls Cathedral in 1896.JPG|thumb|right|[[St Paul's Cathedral]], 1896.]]
The 18th century was a period of rapid growth for London, reflecting an increasing national population, the early stirrings of the [[Industrial Revolution]], and London's role at the centre of the evolving [[British Empire]]. The urban area expanded beyond the borders of the City of London, most notably during this period towards the [[West End of London|West End]] and [[Westminster]].

In 1708 [[Christopher Wren]]'s masterpiece, [[St. Paul's Cathedral]], was completed on his birthday. However, the first service had been held on 2 December 1697; more than 10 years earlier. This Cathedral replaced the original St. Paul's which had been completely destroyed in the Great Fire of London and is considered to be one of the finest in Britain and a fine example of [[Baroque architecture]].

Expansion continued and became more rapid by the beginning of the 19th century, with London growing in all directions. To the [[East End of London|East]] the [[Port of London]] grew rapidly during the century, with the construction of many docks, needed as the Thames at the City could not cope with the volume of trade. The arrival of the railways and the [[London Underground|Tube]] meant that London could expand over a much greater area. By the mid-19th century, with London still rapidly expanding in population and area, the City had already become only a small part of the wider metropolis.

===19th & 20th centuries===
[[File:Stpaulsblitz.jpg|thumb|right|St Paul's Cathedral surviving the [[Blitz]].]]
[[Image:City of London skyline from London City Hall - Oct 2008.jpg|thumb|right|The Tower of London, [[Tower Millennium Pier]] and the City's financial core, as seen from [[City Hall (London)|City Hall]] in 2008.]]
An attempt was made in 1894 to [[Royal Commission on the Amalgamation of the City and County of London|amalgamate the City and the surrounding County of London]], but it did not succeed. The City of London therefore survived, and does so to this day, despite its situation within the London conurbation and [[History of local government in London|numerous local government reforms]]. Regarding representation to [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]], the City elected four members to the [[unreformed House of Commons]], which it retained after the [[Reform Act 1832]] and into the 20th century. Today it is included wholly in the [[Cities of London and Westminster]] constituency, and statute requires that it not be divided between two neighbouring areas.

The City's population fell rapidly in the 19th century and through most of the 20th century as people moved outwards to London's vast [[Metro-land|suburbs]] and many houses were demolished to make way for modern office blocks. The largest residential section of the City today is the [[Barbican Estate]], constructed between 1965 and 1976. Here a major proportion of the City's population now live. The [[Museum of London]] is located here, as are a number of other services provided by the Corporation.

The City, like many areas of London and other British cities, fell victim to large scale and highly destructive aerial bombing during [[World War II]], in what is known as [[The Blitz]]. Whilst St Paul's Cathedral survived the onslaught, large swathes of the City did not and the particularly heavy raids of late December 1940 led to a [[firestorm]] called the [[Second Great Fire of London]]. A major rebuilding programme therefore occurred in the decades following the war, in some parts (such as at the Barbican) dramatically altering the City's urban landscape. The destruction of the City's older historic fabric however allowed, and continues to allow, the construction of modern and larger-scale developments in parts of the City, whereas in those parts not so badly affected by bomb damage, the City retains its older character of smaller buildings. The street pattern, which is still largely medieval, was altered slightly in certain places, although there is a more recent trend of reversing some of the post-war modernist changes made, such as at [[Paternoster Square]].

The 1970s saw the construction of tall office buildings including the 600-foot, 42-storey [[Natwest Tower]], which became the first [[skyscraper]] in the UK. Office space development has intensified especially in the central, northern and eastern parts of the City, with a second ([[30 St Mary Axe]]) and most recently a third skyscraper (the [[Broadgate Tower]]) being built. A fourth skyscraper, the [[Heron Tower]], is currently under construction, and will become Britain's tallest building when completed. A fifth, the [[Bishopsgate Tower]] is set to begin rising in late 2010, and will overtake the Heron Tower to become the tallest building in the City of London, and the second tallest in Britain after the under-construction [[Shard of Glass]] at [[London Bridge Station]].

===Motto and symbols===
The [[Latin]] motto of the City of London is "''Domine dirige nos''", which translates as "''Lord, direct (guide) us''". The City has its own flag and coat of arms. The red sword is commonly supposed to commemorate the killing of [[Peasants' Revolt]] leader [[Wat Tyler]] by the [[Lord Mayor of London]] [[William Walworth]] in 1381, but in fact is the symbol of the martyrdom of [[Paul the Apostle|Saint Paul]], London's patron saint.

==Governance==
[[File:2007 0513London0033.JPG|thumb|The [[Guildhall, London|Guildhall]] - the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City]]
[[File:Mansion House London.jpg|thumb|[[Mansion House, London|Mansion House]] - the official residence of the Lord Mayor]]
[[Image:Lord Mayor of London - John Stuttard - Nov 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Former Lord Mayor of London [[John Stuttard]] during the Lord Mayor's parade of 2006]]
{{See also|City of London Corporation|History of local government in England#The City of London}}
The City of London has a unique political status, a legacy of its uninterrupted integrity as a corporate city since the [[Heptarchy|Anglo-Saxon period]] and its singular relationship with the [[British monarchy|Crown]]. Historically its system of government was not unusual, but it was not reformed by the [[Municipal Reform Act 1835]] and little changed by later reforms.

It is administered by the [[City of London Corporation]], headed by the [[Lord Mayor of London]] (not the same as the more recently created position of [[Mayor of London]]), which is responsible for a number of functions and owns a number of locations beyond the City's boundaries. Unlike other modern-day English local authorities, the Corporation has two council bodies: the now largely-ceremonial [[Court of Aldermen]] and the [[Court of Common Council]]. The Court of Aldermen represents the wards, with each ward (irrespective of their size) returning one Alderman. The [[Chief Executive]] of the administrative side of the Corporation holds the ancient office of [[Town Clerk of London]].

The City is a [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]], although it has a Commission of Lieutenancy, headed by the Lord Mayor, instead of a [[Lord-Lieutenant]]. The City also has (instead of a [[High Sheriff]]) [[Sheriffs of the City of London|two Sheriffs]], which are quasi-judicial offices and who are appointed by the [[Livery Company|Livery Companies]], another ancient political system (based on the representation and [[Guild|protection of trades]]) still extant in the City. Senior members of the Livery Companies are known as [[Liveryman|Liverymen]] and form a special electorate called the Common Hall — this body chooses the Lord Mayor of the City, the Sheriffs and certain other officers.

===Wards===
{{Main|Wards of the City of London}}
The City is made up of [[:Category:Wards of the City of London|25 wards]], which had their boundaries changed in 2003, though the number of wards and their names did not change. They are survivors of the mediaeval governmental system that allowed a very local area to exist as a self governing enclave within the wider city.<ref>The City of London - a history Borer, M.I.C. : New York,D.McKay Co, 1978 ISBN 0094618801 p112</ref> They can be described as being both electoral/political divisions and permanent ceremonial, geographic and administrative entities within/sub-divisions of the City. Each ward has an [[Alderman]], who traditionally held office for life but in the modern era put themselves up for re-election at least every 6 years. Wards continue to have [[Beadle]]s, ancient functionary offices that are largely ceremonial in the modern era, the main remaining function being the running of the [[Wardmote]], an annual meeting in each ward of electors, representatives and officials.<ref>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Council_and_democracy/Councillors_democracy_and_elections/annual_wardmotes.htm City of London Corporation] Ward Motes</ref> At the Wardmote the ward's Alderman appoints at least one Deputy for the year ahead. Each ward also has a Ward Club, which is similar to a [[residents' association]] found elsewhere in the country.<ref>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Council_and_democracy/Councillors_democracy_and_elections/ward_boundaries.htm City of London Corporation] Ward Boundaries, Beadles and Clubs</ref>

The wards are ancient and their number has only changed three times since [[time immemorial]]: in 1394 [[Farringdon, London|Farringdon]] was divided into Farringdon Within and Farringdon Without; in 1550 the creation of Bridge Without, [[Southwark|south of the river]], with the ward of Bridge becoming Bridge Within;<ref>[http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/11ii.htm Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section] City of London wards</ref> and the merger of Bridge wards Within and Without, in 1978, into the present-day [[Bridge (ward)|Bridge]] ward.<ref>[http://www.bridgewardclub.org.uk/ward%20of%20bridge.html Bridge Ward Club] History of the Bridge wards</ref>

Following changes to the City of London's boundary in 1994 and later reform of the business vote in the City, a major boundary and electoral representation revision took place to the wards in 2003. The ward boundaries and electoral representation are currently being reviewed again for change in 2013, though not to such a dramatic extent, and the review is being conducted by senior officers of the Corporation and senior judges of the [[Old Bailey]].<ref>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Council_and_democracy/Councillors_democracy_and_elections/ward_boundary_review.htm Corporation of London] Ward Boundary Review (2010)</ref> The wards are not reviewed by the [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|Electoral Commission]] under the [[Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986]] and (unlike with other local government electoral reviews in the country) the number and the names of the wards do not change. Particular churches, [[livery company]] halls and other historic buildings and structures are associated with specific wards, such as St Paul's Cathedral with [[Castle Baynard]], or London Bridge with Bridge. Boundary changes in 2003 did remove some of these connected places from their wards, but that boundary review and the current review do take into account of these historic/traditional connections.

Current arrangements are that each ward elects an [[Alderman]], to the [[Court of Aldermen]] and [[Commoners]] (the City equivalent of a [[Councillor]]) to the [[Court of Common Council]] of the Corporation. Only electors who are [[Freeman of the City of London]] are eligible to stand. The number of Commoners a ward sends to the Common Council varies (from 2 to 10) and depends on the size of the ward, in terms of the number of eligible votes. Since the 2003 review it is agreed that the four residential wards send 20 of the 100 Commoners, with the business-dominated wards returning the remaining allocation of 80 Commoners. Four of the wards are today regarded as being primarily residential, and recent boundary changes have reinforced this. They are: [[Portsoken]], [[Queenhithe]], [[Aldersgate]] and [[Cripplegate]].

===Elections===
The City has a unique electoral system. Most of its voters are representatives of businesses and other bodies that occupy premises in the City. Its ancient wards have very unequal numbers of voters. In elections, both the businesses based in the City and the residents of the City vote.

The principal justification for the non-resident vote is that about 450,000 non-residents constitute the city's day-time population and use most of its services, far outnumbering the City's residents, who are fewer than 10,000. Nevertheless, the system has long been the cause of controversy. The business vote was abolished in all other [[United Kingdom|UK]] local authority elections in 1969.

A private act of Parliament in 2002<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/locact02/20020006.htm HMSO ''City of London (Ward Elections) Act 2002 (2002 Chapter vi)'']</ref> reformed the voting system for electing Members to the Corporation of London and received the [[Royal Assent]] on 7 November 2002. Under the new system, the number of non-resident voters has doubled from 16,000 to 32,000. Previously disfranchised firms (and other organizations) are entitled to nominate voters, in addition to those already represented, and all such bodies are now required to choose their voters in a representative fashion.

Bodies employing fewer than ten people may appoint one voter; those employing ten to 50 people may appoint one voter for every five employees; those employing more than 50 people may appoint ten voters and one additional voter for each 50 employees beyond the first 50.

The Act also removed other anomalies that had developed within the City's system, which had been unchanged since the 1850s.

===The Temple===
[[Inner Temple]] and [[Middle Temple]] (which neighbour each other) are two of the few remaining [[Liberty (division)|liberties]], an old name for a geographic division. They are independent [[extra-parochial area]]s,<ref>[http://www.agi.org.uk/SITE/UPLOAD/DOCUMENT/Events/AGI2009/papers/MartinLaker.pdf Association for Geographic Information] What place is that then? (PDF)</ref> historically not governed by the [[City of London Corporation]]<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/localact1996/pdf/ukla_19960004_en.pdf City of London (Approved Premises for Marriage) Act 1996] "By ancient custom the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple and the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple exercise powers within the areas of the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple respectively ("the Temples") concerning (''inter alia'') the regulation and governance of the Temples"</ref> (and are today regarded as local authorities for most purposes<ref>[http://www.middletemple.org.uk/the_inn/middle-temple-as-a-local-authority.html Middle Temple] as a local authority</ref>) and equally outside the [[ecclesiastical jurisdiction]] of the [[Bishop of London]]. They geographically fall within the boundaries and liberties of the City, but can be thought of as independent [[enclave]]s. They are both part of the [[Farringdon Without]] ward of the City.

===Other functions===
Within the City, the Corporation owns and runs both the [[Smithfield Market]] and [[Leadenhall Market]]. The Corporation owns and is responsible for a number of locations beyond the boundaries of the City. These include [[Corporation of London open spaces|various open spaces]] (parks, forests and commons) in and around greater London, including most of [[Epping Forest]], [[Hampstead Heath]] and many public spaces in [[Northern Ireland]] through [[The Honourable The Irish Society]]. It also owns [[Old Spitalfields Market]] and [[Billingsgate Fish Market]], both of which are within the neighbouring London Borough of [[Tower Hamlets]]. The Corporation also owns and helps fund the [[Old Bailey]], the Central Criminal Court for [[England and Wales]], as a gift to the nation, it having begun as the City and Middlesex Sessions.

The City has its own independent police force, the [[City of London Police]] - the Corporation is the police authority. The rest of Greater London is policed by the [[Metropolitan Police Service]], based at [[Scotland Yard|New Scotland Yard]].

The City of London has one hospital, [[St Bartholomew's Hospital]]. Founded in 1123 and commonly known as 'Barts', the hospital is at [[Smithfield, London|Smithfield]], and is undergoing a long-awaited regeneration after many doubts as to it continuing in use during the 1990s.

The City is the third largest UK funding-patron of the arts. It oversees the [[Barbican Centre]] and subsidises several important performing arts companies.

The [[Port of London]]'s health authority is also the responsibility of the Corporation, which includes the handling of imported cargo at [[London Heathrow]] airport.<ref>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/our_services/port_health/ Port Health Authority]</ref> The Corporation oversees the running of the [[Bridge House Trust]], which maintains five key bridges in central London, [[London Bridge]], [[Blackfriars Bridge]], [[Southwark Bridge]], [[Tower Bridge]] and the [[Millennium Bridge (London)|Millennium Bridge]]. The [[Flag of the City of London|City's flag]] flies over Tower Bridge, although neither footing is in the City.<ref>[http://www.britishflags.net/cityoflondon.html britishflags.net- City of London]</ref>

===Changes to boundary===
[[Image:Temple-bar-griffin.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Dragon]] statue atop the [[Temple Bar, London|Temple Bar]] monument, which marks the boundary between the City and [[City of Westminster|Westminster]].]]
The size of the City was constrained by a defensive perimeter wall, known as [[London Wall]], which was built by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] in the late 2nd century to protect their strategic port city. However the boundaries of the City of London no longer coincide with the old city wall, as the City expanded its jurisdiction slightly over time. During the [[medieval]] era, the City's jurisdiction expanded westwards, crossing the historic western border of the original settlement - the [[River Fleet]] - along [[Fleet Street]] to [[Temple Bar, London|Temple Bar]]. The City also took in the other "City bars" which were situated just beyond the old walled area, such as at Holborn, Aldersgate, Bishopsgate and Aldgate. These were the important entrances to the City and their control was vital in maintaining the City's special privileges over certain trades.

The walls have almost entirely disappeared, although several sections remain visible. A section near the [[Museum of London]] was revealed after the devastation of an air raid on 29 December 1940 at the height of the [[The Blitz|Blitz]]. Other visible sections are at [[St Alphage London Wall|St Alphage]], and there are two sections near the [[Tower of London]]. The River Fleet was [[canal]]ised after the Great Fire of 1666 and then in stages was bricked up and has been since the 18th Century one of London's "[[Subterranean rivers of London|lost rivers]]", today running entirely underground as a [[storm drain]].

The boundary of the City then remained fixed until minor boundary changes in 1994, when it expanded slightly to the west, north and east, taking small parcels of land from the London Boroughs of [[City of Westminster|Westminster]], [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]], [[London Borough of Islington|Islington]], [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]] and [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]]. The main purpose of these changes was to tidy up the boundary in places where its course had been rendered obsolete by changes in the urban landscape. In the process the City lost small parcels of land, though there was an overall net gain of land (the City grew from 1.05 to 1.12 square miles). Most notably, the changes placed the (then recently developed) [[Broadgate|Broadgate estate]] entirely in the City.<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1993/Uksi_19931445_en_1.htm The City and London Borough Boundaries Order 1993]</ref>

[[Southwark]], to the south of the City on the other side of the [[River Thames|Thames]], came within the City between 1550 and 1899 as the ''Ward of [[Bridge Without]]'', a situation connected with the [[Guildable Manor]]. The City's administrative responsibility there, however, had in practice disappeared by the mid-[[Victorian era|Victorian]] period as various aspects of metropolitan government were extended into the neighbouring areas. Today it forms part of the [[London Borough of Southwark]]. The [[Tower of London]] has always been outside the City and today comes under the [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets]].

==Geography==

The City of London is England's [[List of ceremonial counties of England|smallest ceremonial county]] by area and population, and the fourth most densely populated. Of the [[Districts of England|326 English districts]], it is the second smallest [[List of English districts by population|by population]], after the [[Isles of Scilly]], and the smallest [[List of English districts by area|by area]]. It can also be regarded as the [[List of smallest cities in the United Kingdom|second smallest]] [[City status in the United Kingdom|British city]] in population, after [[St David's]] in [[Wales]].

===Boundary===
[[Image:City of London map 01.svg|thumb|right|Borders of the City of London, showing surrounding [[London borough]]s and the pre-1994 boundary (where changed) in red. The area covered by the [[Inner Temple|Inner]] and [[Middle Temple]] is marked.]]
Beginning in the west, where the City borders Westminster, the boundary crosses the [[Victoria Embankment]] from the Thames, passes to the west of [[Middle Temple]], then turns for a short distance along [[Strand, London|Strand]] and then north up [[Chancery Lane]], where it borders Camden. It turns east along [[Holborn]] to Holborn Circus, and then goes north east to [[Charterhouse Street]]. As it crosses [[Farringdon Road]] it becomes the boundary with Islington. It continues to [[Aldersgate]], goes north, and turns east into some back streets soon after Aldersgate becomes [[Goswell Road]]. Here, at Baltic Street West, is the most northerly extent of the City. The boundary includes all of the [[Barbican Estate]] and continues east along Ropemaker Street and its continuation on the other side of [[Moorgate]], becomes South Place. It goes north, reaching the border with Hackney, then east, north, east on back streets, with Worship Street forming a northern boundary, so as to include the [[Broadgate]] estate. The boundary then turns south at [[Norton Folgate]] and becomes the border with [[Tower Hamlets]]. It continues south into [[Bishopsgate]], and takes some backstreets to Middlesex Street ([[Petticoat Lane]]) where it continues south-east then south. It then turns south-west, crossing the [[Minories]], so as to exclude the [[Tower of London]] from the City, and then reaches the river. The City's boundary then runs up the centre of the Thames, with the exception that the entire span of [[Blackfriars Bridge]] falls within the City; additionally the City controls the full span of [[London Bridge]] (as part of [[Bridge (ward)|Bridge]] ward) but only half of the river underneath it, a feature which is unique in British local administration.

The boundaries of the City are marked by black bollards bearing the City's emblem, and at major entrances, such as at [[Temple Bar, London|Temple Bar]] on Fleet Street, a grander monument, with a dragon facing outwards, marks the boundary.

[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Council_and_democracy/Councillors_democracy_and_elections/ward_boundaries_map.htm Official boundary map, with wards.]

In some places the financial district extends slightly beyond the political boundaries of the City, notably to the north and east, into the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Islington, and informally these locations are seen as part of the "Square Mile". Since the 1990s the eastern fringe of the City, extending into Hackney and Tower Hamlets, has increasingly been a focus for large office developments due to the availability of large sites there compared to within the City.

===Gardens and public art===
{{See also|List of public art in the City of London}}
{{cleanup|section|date=October 2009}}
[[File:Finsbury Circus.jpg|thumb|right|[[Finsbury Circus]], the largest public open space in the City, as seen from Tower 42.]]
[[Image:Broadgate aerial 1.jpg|thumb|Aerial view with [[30 St Mary Axe]] and [[Tower 42]] in the background. Also seen are the [[51 Lime Street|Willis Building]], [[Aviva Tower]], [[99 Bishopsgate]], [[Liverpool Street Station]] and the [[Stock Exchange Tower]]. At the bottom is the [[Broadgate Tower]], the latest skyscraper to be built in the City.]]
The City has no sizeable [[park]]s within its boundary, but does have a network of a large number of gardens and small open spaces, many of which are maintained by the Corporation. These range from formal gardens such as the one in [[Finsbury Circus]], containing a [[bowling green]] and [[bandstand]], to churchyards such as one belonging to the church of [[St Olave Hart Street]], to water features and artwork found in some of the courtyards and pedestrianised lanes.<ref>[http://www.gardensofthecityoflondon.co.uk Gardens of the City of London]</ref>

Gardens include:
* [[Barber-Surgeon's Hall Garden]] - London Wall
* [[Cleary Garden]] - [[Queen Victoria Street]]
* [[Finsbury Circus]] - [[Blomfield Street]] or London Wall or [[Moorgate]]
* [[Jubilee Garden]] - [[Houndsditch]]
* [[Portsoken Street Garden]] - [[Portsoken Street]] or [[Goodman's Yard]]
* [[Postman's Park]] - [[Little Britain, London|Little Britain]], [[Aldersgate]]
* [[Seething Lane Garden]] - [[Seething Lane]]
* [[St Dunstan-in-the-East]] - [[St Dunstan's Hill]] or [[Idol Lane]]
* [[St Mary Aldermanbury]] - [[Aldermanbury]]
* the churchyard of [[St Olave Hart Street]] - [[Seething Lane]]
* [[St Paul's Churchyard]] - [[St Paul's Cathedral]]
* [[West Smithfield Garden]] - [[Smithfield, London|West Smithfield]]
* [[Whittington Gardens]] - College Street or [[Upper Thames Street]]

Additionally there are a number of private gardens and open spaces, found often within courtyards of the larger commercial developments. Two of the largest private gardens are those of the [[Inner Temple]] and [[Middle Temple]] Inns of Court, in the far southwest of the City.

The Thames and its riverside walks are increasingly being valued as open space for the City and in recent years efforts have been made to increase the ability for pedestrians to access and walk along the river.

==Public services==
===Police and security===
The City has its own [[territorial police force]], the [[City of London Police]], which is a separate organisation to the [[Metropolitan Police Service]] which covers the rest of Greater London. The City Police have three [[police station]]s, located at Snow Hill, [[Wood Street, London|Wood Street]] and [[Bishopsgate]], and has 813 [[police officer]]s, 85 [[Special Constables]] and 48 [[Police Community Support Officer|PCSOs]]. Covering just the City of London, it is the smallest territorial police force in [[England and Wales]], both in terms of geographic area and the number of police officers.

Where the majority of British police forces have silver-coloured badges, those of the City Police are black and gold featuring the City crest. The force also have a unique red and white chequered cap bands and red and white striped duty arm bands on the sleeve of the tunics of constables and sergeants (red and white being the colours of the City of London), which in most other British police forces are black and white. City police sergeants and constables wear crested [[Custodian helmet|helmets]] whilst on foot patrol. These helmets do not feature the [[Brunswick Star]], which is used on most other police helmets in England and Wales.

The City's position as the United Kingdom's financial centre and a critical part of the country's economy, contributing about 2.5% of the UK's [[gross national product]],<ref>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/media_centre/keyfacts.htm Key facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> has resulted in it becoming a target for political violence. The [[Provisional IRA]] exploded several [[bomb]]s in the City in the early 1990s, including the [[1993 Bishopsgate bombing]].

The area is also spoken of as a possible target for [[al-Qaeda]]. For instance, when in May 2004 the BBC's ''[[Panorama (TV series)|Panorama]]'' programme examined the preparedness of Britain's emergency services for a terrorist attack on the scale of [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], they simulated a chemical explosion on [[Bishopsgate]] in the east of the City.

The [[Ring of steel (London)|"Ring of Steel"]] is a particularly notable measure, established in the wake of the IRA bombings, that has been taken against terrorist threats.

===Fire brigade===
{{Main|London Fire Brigade}}
[[Image:LFBstn.jpg|thumb|upright|Dowgate fire station]]
The City has fire risks in many places, including [[St Paul’s Cathedral]], [[The Old Bailey]], [[Mansion House, London|Mansion House]], [[Smithfield Market]], the [[Bank of England]], the [[Guildhall, London|Guildhall]], [[Tower 42]] (formerly the NatWest Tower) and [[30 St. Mary Axe]] (The Gherkin). There is one London Fire Brigade station within the City, at Dowgate, with one pumping appliance.<ref name = "zlqtbi">[http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/about_us/media/City_of_London.pdf London Fire Brigade - City of London Profile]</ref> The City relies upon stations in the surrounding London boroughs to support it at some incidents. Within the City the first fire engine is in attendance in roughly five minutes on average, the second when required in a little over five and a half minutes.<ref name = "zlqtbi"/> There were 1,814 incidents attended in the City in 2006/2007 - the lowest in Greater London amongst the 32 London boroughs. No one has died in an event arising from a fire in the City in the last four years prior to 2007.<ref name = "zlqtbi"/>

== Demography ==
[[File:Population of the City of London over time.png|right|500px]]
In June 2010, the [[Office for National Statistics]] estimated that the City of London's population for mid-2009 was 11,500;<ref name="2009pop">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/mid-09-uk-eng-wales-scot-northern-ireland-24-06-10.zip|format=zip|title=Mid-2009 Population Estimates: Quinary age groups and sex for local authorities in the United Kingdom|publisher=The [[Office for National Statistics]]|date=2010-06-24|accessdate=2010-10-23}}</ref> 4,315 more people than that of the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|last census]] from 2001, which indicated that the City had a population of 7,185.<ref name="census">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00aa.asp|title=City of London Census 2001 profile|accessdate=2010-10-23|work=[[United Kingdom Census 2001|Census 2001]]|publisher=The [[Office for National Statistics]]}}</ref> At the time of the 2001 UK census, the ethnic composition of the City was 84.6% [[White people|White]], 6.8% [[British Asian|South Asian]], 2.6% [[Black British|Black]], 2.3% [[British Mixed-Race|Mixed]], 2.0% [[British Chinese|Chinese]] and 1.7% were listed as "[[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]".<ref name="census" /> To the right is a graph showing the change in population of the City since 1801 based [[Census in the United Kingdom|decadal censuses]]. The first half of the 19th century shows a population staying between 120,000-140,000 people, however the population decays exponentially from 1851 to 1991, with a small increase in population between 1991 and 2001. The only notable boundary changes to the City since the first census in 1801 occurred in 1994.

The City of London's full-time working residents have much higher gross weekly pay compared to [[London]] and Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland): £773.30 compared to £598.60 and £491.00 respectively.<ref name="nomis">{{cite web|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431860/report.aspx?town=city%20of%20london#tabrespop|title=Labour Market Profile: City of London|publisher=The [[Office for National Statistics]]|work=nomis|accessdate=2010-10-24}}</ref> It is worth noting, however, that there is a large inequality between genders (£1,085.90 in men compared to £653.50 in women).<ref name=nomis /> The 2001 Census showed the City of London as a unique district amongst 376 districts surveyed in [[List of English districts|England]] and Wales.<ref name=census /> The City had the highest proportional population increase, households without a car or van, one-person households, people with qualifications at degree level or higher and the highest overcrowding indicator.<ref name=census /> It recorded the lowest proportion of households with cars or vans, married couple households, people who travel to work by car and the lowest average household size; just 1.58 people.<ref name=census /> It was also ranked highest within London for percentage of people with no religion and people who are employed.<ref name=census />

==Economy==
{{See also|Economy of London}}
[[Image:London.bankofengland.arp.jpg|thumb|The [[Bank of England]], on [[Threadneedle Street]], is the central bank of the [[United Kingdom]].]]
The City vies with [[New York City]] as the [[financial centre|financial capital]] of the world and many banking and insurance institutions have their headquarters there. The [[London Stock Exchange]] ([[shares]] and [[Bond (finance)|bonds]]), [[Lloyd's of London]] ([[insurance]]) and the [[Bank of England]] are all based in the City. Over 500 [[bank]]s have offices in the City, and the City is an established leader in trading in [[Eurobonds]], [[foreign exchange market|foreign exchange]], [[energy]] [[Futures contract|futures]] and global insurance. The [[Alternative Investment Market]], a market for trades in [[Equity investment|equities]] of smaller firms, is a recent development. In 2008, the City of London accounted for 4% of UK [[GDP]].{{citation needed|date=October 2010}}

London is the world's greatest [[foreign exchange market]], with much of the trade conducted in the City of London. Of the $3.98 trillion daily global turnover, as measured in 2007, trading in London accounted for around $1.36 trillion, or 34.1% of the total.<ref name="BIS_survey">[http://www.bis.org/publ/rpfxf07t.pdf BIS Triennial Central Bank Survey], published in December 2007.</ref> The [[Pound Sterling]], the currency of the United Kingdom, is globally the third most traded currency and the third most held [[reserve currency]].

Since 1991 [[Canary Wharf]], a few miles east of the City in Tower Hamlets, has become a second centre for London's financial services industry and houses many banks and other institutions formerly located in the Square Mile. This development does not appear to have damaged the City: growth has continued in both locations.

===Headquarters===
[[Image:Paternoster Square.jpg|thumb|[[Paternoster Square]], home of the [[London Stock Exchange]]]]
Many major global companies have their headquarters in the City, including [[Aviva]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviva.com/about-us/contact-us/|title=Contact us|accessdate=15 August 2010|publisher=Aviva}}</ref> [[BT Group]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.btplc.com/thegroup/contactbt/index.cfm|title=Contact BT|accessdate=15 August 2010|publisher=BT Group}}</ref> [[Lloyds Banking Group]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/about_us/company_contacts.asp|title=Company Contacts|accessdate=15 August 2010|publisher=Lloyds Banking Group}}</ref> [[Old Mutual]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldmutual.com/ir/contacts.jsp|title=Investor Relations Contacts|accessdate=15 August 2010|publisher=Old Mutual}}</ref> [[Prudential plc|Prudential]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prudential.co.uk/prudential-plc/siteservices/directory/plccontact/|title=Contact|accessdate=15 August 2010|publisher=Prudential}}</ref> [[Standard Chartered Bank|Standard Chartered]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.standardchartered.com/uk/contact-us/en/|title=Contact Us|accessdate=15 August 2010|publisher=Standard Chartered}}</ref> and [[Unilever PLC|Unilever]].<ref>"[http://www.unilever.com/resource/unilever-registered-offices.aspx Unilever registered offices]." [[Unilever]]. Retrieved on 5 March 2010.</ref>

A number of the world's largest law firms are headquartered in the City, including [[Allen & Overy]], [[Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer]], [[DLA Piper]], [[Hogan Lovells]], [[Linklaters]] and [[Slaughter & May]].

===Non-financial diversification===
The trend for purely office development is beginning to reverse as the Corporation encourages residential use, albeit with development occurring when it arises on windfall sites. The City has a target of 90 additional dwellings per year.<ref>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Environment_and_planning/Planning/Local_Development_Framework/core_strategy.htm City of London Corporation] Core Strategy</ref> Some of the extra accommodation is in small pre-[[World War II]] [[listed building]]s, which are not suitable for occupation by the large companies which now provide much of the City's employment.

Since the 1990s, the City has diversified away from near exclusive office use in other ways. For example, several hotels and the City's first [[department store]] opened in the 2000s. A shopping centre was opened at [[One New Change]], [[Cheapside]] (near St Paul's Cathedral) in October 2010. However, large sections of the City remain very quiet at weekends, especially those areas in the eastern section of the City, and it is quite common to find shops, [[Public house|pub]]s and cafes closed on these days. The new centre at One New Change however is open 7 days a week.

===Other sectors===
[[File:Leadenhall Market In London - Feb 2006 rotated.jpg|thumb|right|Leadenhall Market, just off [[Gracechurch Street]]]]
Whilst the financial sector, and related businesses and institutions, continue to dominate the City, the City's economy is not limited to that sector. The legal profession has a strong presence in the City, especially in the western half (i.e. towards the [[Inns of Court]]). Retail businesses were once important in the City, but have gradually moved to the [[West End of London]], though it is now Corporation policy to encourage retailing in some locations, for example at [[Cheapside]] near St Paul's. The City has a number of visitor attractions, mainly based on its historic heritage as well as the [[Barbican Centre]] and adjacent [[Museum of London]], though tourism is not at present a major contributor to the City's economy or character. The City has many pubs, bars and restaurants, and the "night-time" economy does feature in the Bishopsgate area, towards [[Shoreditch]]. The meat market [[Smithfield Market|at Smithfield]], wholly within the City's boundaries, continues to be one of London's main markets (the only one remaining in central London) and the country's largest [[butcher|meat market]]. In the east of the City is [[Leadenhall Market]], a fresh food market that is also a visitor attraction.

==Landmarks==
===Historic buildings===
Fire, bombing and post-[[World War II|War]] redevelopment has meant that the City, despite its history, has relatively few intact notable historic structures remaining. Those that are present today include the [[Monument to the Great Fire of London]] ("the Monument"), [[St Paul's Cathedral]], [[Guildhall, London|the Guildhall]], the [[Royal Exchange, London|Royal Exchange]], [[Dr. Johnson's House]], [[Mansion House, London|Mansion House]] and a [[:Category:Churches in the City of London|great many churches]], many designed by [[Sir Christopher Wren]], who also designed St Paul's. [[2 King's Bench Walk]] and [[Prince Henry's Room]] are notable historic survivors of heavy bombing of [[Temple, London|the Temple]] area, which has largely been rebuilt to its historic form. Another example of a bomb-damaged place having been restored is [[Staple Inn]] on Holborn. A few small sections of the Roman [[London Wall]] exist, for example near the Tower of London and also in the Barbican area. The [[Tower of London]] is not within the City, but is a notable visitor attraction which brings tourists to the southeast of the City.

Other landmark buildings include a number of the modern high-rise buildings (see section below) as well as the [[Bank of England]], the [[Old Bailey]], [[Smithfield, London|Smithfield Market]], the [[Lloyd's building]], and the [[Barbican Estate]].

===Skyscrapers===
{{See also|List of tallest buildings and structures in London}}
[[Image:The City Of London.jpg|thumb|right|340px|The City of London's core skyline, as seen from the south, in December 2009. The Heron Tower is seen under construction]]
[[File:30 St Mary Axe, 'Gherkin'.JPG|thumb|upright|[[30 St Mary Axe]], nicknamed "the Gherkin"]]

A growing number of tall buildings and [[skyscraper]]s exist in the City, principally for use by the financial sector. Almost all are situated in the eastern side of the Square Mile, in what is the City's financial core. The [[Barbican Estate]], in the north of the City, has three tall residential towers and another ("The Heron"/Milton Court, 112m) is under construction close by. The thirteen tallest buildings (those taller than 100[[metre|m]]) in the City are:

{| class="wikitable" border="0" style="border: 1px solid #999; background-color:#FFFFFF"
|- bgcolor=#BDBBD7
| rowspan=2 | <font color=#000080>'''Rank'''</font> || rowspan=2 align="center" | <font color=#000080>'''Name'''</font> || rowspan=2 align="center" width="100" | <font color=#000080>'''Built''' || rowspan=2 align="center" | <font color=#000080>'''Use'''</font> || colspan=2 align="center" | <font color=#000080>'''Height'''</font> || style="width:50px" rowspan=2 align="center" | <font color=#000080>'''Floors'''</font> || rowspan=2 align="center" | <font color=#000080>'''Location'''</font>
|- bgcolor=#BDBBD7
| style="width:50px" align="center" | <font color=#000080>'''metres'''</font> || style="width:50px" align="center" | <font color=#000080>'''feet'''</font>
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 1 || [[Heron Tower]] || 2011 || Office || 202 || 663 || 46 || 110 [[Bishopsgate]]
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 2 || [[Tower 42]] || 1980 || Office || 183 || 600 || 42 || 25 Old Broad Street
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 3 || [[30 St Mary Axe]] ("The Gherkin")|| 2003 || Office || 180 || 590 || 40 || 30 [[St Mary Axe]]
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 4 || [[Broadgate Tower]] || 2008 || Office || 164 || 538 || 35 || 201 Bishopsgate
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 5 || [[CityPoint]] || 1967 || Office || 127 || 417 || 36 || Ropemaker Street
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 6 || [[Willis Building (London)|Willis Building]] || 2007 || Office || 125 || 410 || 26 || 51 [[Lime Street, London|Lime Street]]
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | =7 || Cromwell Tower || 1973 || Residential || 123 || 404 || 42 || [[Barbican Estate]]
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | =7 || Lauderdale Tower || 1974 || Residential || 123 || 404 || 42 || Barbican Estate
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | =7 || Shakespeare Tower || 1976 || Residential || 123 || 404 || 42 || Barbican Estate
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 10 || [[St Helen's (Building)|St Helen's]] ("Aviva Tower") || 1969 || Office || 118 || 387 || 28 || Undershaft, St Mary Axe
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 11 || [[St Paul's Cathedral]] || 1710 || Cathedral || 111 || 365 || n/a || [[Ludgate Hill]]
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 12 || [[99 Bishopsgate]] || 1976 || Office || 104 || 340 || 26 || 99 Bishopsgate
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| align="center" bgcolor="#EDECFF" | 13 || [[Stock Exchange Tower]] || 1970 || Office || 100 || 328 || 27 || 125 Old Broad Street
|}

Buildings over 150 metres either under construction or approved to build:

{| class="wikitable" border="0" style="border: 1px solid #999; background-color:#FFFFFF"
|- bgcolor=#BDBBD7
| align=center rowspan=2 | <font color=#000080>'''Name'''</font> || align=center colspan=2 | <font color=#000080>'''Height'''</font> || align=center rowspan=2 | <font color=#000080>'''Floors'''</font> || align=center rowspan=2 | <font color=#000080>'''Location'''</font> || align=center rowspan=2 | <font color=#000080>'''Status'''</font>
|- bgcolor=#BDBBD7
| align=center width=50px | <font color=#000080>'''metres'''</font> || align=center width=50px | <font color=#000080>'''feet'''</font>
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| [[Bishopsgate Tower|The Pinnacle]] ("Helter Skelter")|| 288 || 945 || 63 || 22-24 Bishopsgate || Under construction (core rising)
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| [[122 Leadenhall Street|The Leadenhall Building]] ("Cheesegrater")|| 225 || 737 || 48 || 122 [[Leadenhall Street]] || Approved; Site cleared; Construction set to resume
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
|| [[100 Bishopsgate]]|| 165 || 542 || 39 || 100 Bishopsgate || Approved; On hold
|- bgcolor="#EFEFEF"
| [[20 Fenchurch Street]] ("Walkie Talkie")|| 160 || 525 || 39 || 20 [[Fenchurch Street]] || Under construction (piling)
|}

==Transport==
{{See also|Transport in London}}
[[File:Bank station Central roundel.JPG|thumb|right|London Underground [[roundel]] (flanked by City dragons) at [[Bank-Monument station|Bank]] station.]]
[[File:Mill.bridge.from.tate.modern.arp.jpg|thumb|right|The Millennium Bridge, looking north towards St. Paul's Cathedral and the City.]]

===Rail===
The City is well served by the [[London Underground]] network, as well as the [[Docklands Light Railway]] (DLR), with 12 [[List of London Underground stations|tube stations]] (counting Bank and Monument stations separately) and 2 [[List of Docklands Light Railway stations|DLR stations]] within its boundary. Three [[National Rail]] termini stations are located in the City, at [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]], [[Fenchurch Street railway station|Fenchurch Street]] and [[Cannon Street station|Cannon Street]], and [[London Bridge station]] is on the other end of London Bridge in Southwark. The [[Thameslink]] mainline runs north-south through the western half of the City, with two stations within the City boundary: [[City Thameslink railway station|City Thameslink]] and [[Blackfriars station|Blackfriars]]. As well as being an Underground station, [[Moorgate station|Moorgate]] is the terminus of the [[Northern City Line]]. The whole of the City of London lies in [[Travelcard Zone 1]].

The high capacity west-east [[Crossrail]] railway line, which is scheduled to be completed by 2017, will run underground across the north of the City, with two stations at [[Farringdon station|Farringdon]] (linked also to [[Barbican station|Barbican]]) and Liverpool Street (linked also to Moorgate).

===Road===
The national [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1]], [[A3 road|A3]], and [[A4 road (England)|A4]] road routes begin in the City of London. The entirety of the City lies within the [[London congestion charge]] zone, with the small exception on the eastern boundary of the parts of the A1210/A1211 routes which form part of the [[Inner Ring Road, London|inner ring road]]. The following bridges, listed west to east (heading downstream), cross the [[River Thames]] from the City of London to the southern bank: [[Blackfriars Bridge]], [[Blackfriars Railway Bridge]], [[Millennium Bridge (London)|Millennium Bridge]] (footbridge), [[Southwark Bridge]], [[Cannon Street Railway Bridge]] and [[London Bridge]]. The famous landmark, the [[Tower Bridge]], is not in the City of London. The City, like most of central London, is well [[Buses in London|served by buses]], including night buses. Two bus stations are located in the City, at [[Aldgate bus station|Aldgate]] on the eastern border with Tower Hamlets, and at [[Liverpool Street bus station|Liverpool Street]] by the railway station there. There are approximately 28 [[Barclays Cycle Hire]] docking stations in the City.<ref>[https://web.barclayscyclehire.tfl.gov.uk/maps Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme] map of docking station locations</ref> A number of existing and proposed cycle routes criss-cross the City, as part of the [[London Cycle Network]].<ref>[http://www.londoncyclenetwork.org.uk/uploaded_files/library/documents/A0_City_v7.pdf London Cycle Network] City of London cycle map</ref>

===River===
One [[London River Services]] pier exists on the Thames along the City of London shore, the [[Blackfriars Millennium Pier]], though the [[Tower Millennium Pier]] lies adjacent to the City's boundary, near the Tower of London. One of the [[Port of London]]'s 25 [[safeguarded wharf]]s in central London, [[Walbrook Wharf]], is located on the City of London's shore, adjacent to Cannon Street station, and is used by the Corporation of London to transfer waste via the river. Swan Lane Pier, just upstream of London Bridge on the City shore, is proposed to be replaced and upgraded for regular passenger services. This work is planned to take place in the period 2012-2015. Before then, Tower Pier is to be extended.<ref>[http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/pdf/River_Thames_Pier_Plan_Diagram_9_1.pdf River Thames Pier Plan]</ref>

A public riverside walk exists along the entire shoreline of the City, having been instigated in stages in recent years, with the only remaining section not running along the river being a short stretch at [[Queenhithe]]. The walk runs along Walbrook Wharf and is only closed to pedestrians at this point when waste is being transferred onto barges.

==Education==
[[Image:KCLMaughanLibrary2.jpg|thumb|[[The Maughan Library]], [[King's College London]]]]
The City has only one directly maintained primary school,<ref>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/our_services/Education/schools/schools.htm#muscat_highlighter_first_match Schools<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Sir John Cass's Foundation Primary School at [[Aldgate]]<ref>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/our_services/Education/schools/primary_schools.htm Primary schools<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> (ages 4 to 11). It is a Voluntary-Aided (VA) [[Church of England]] school, maintained by the Education Service of the City of London.

City residents may send their children to schools in neighbouring [[Local Education Authority|Local Education Authorities]], such as [[London Borough of Islington|Islington]], [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]], [[City of Westminster|Westminster]] and [[London Borough of Southwark|Southwark]].

The City controls three very well regarded [[independent schools]], [[City of London School]] (a boys school) and [[City of London School for Girls]] (girls) which are in the City itself, and the [[City of London Freemen's School]] (co-educational day and boarding) which is in [[Ashtead]], [[Surrey]]. The City of London School for Girls has its own preparatory department for entrance at age seven. It is also the principal sponsor of the [[City of London Academy]] which is based in Southwark.

The City is also home to the renowned [[Cass Business School]], the [[Guildhall School of Music and Drama]] and parts of three of the [[universities in London]]: [[The Maughan Library]] of [[King's College London#Strand campus|King's College London's Strand Campus]], and the business school of [[London Metropolitan University]]. A third business school in the City is a campus of the [[University of Chicago Graduate School of Business]] at Ropemaker Place. [[The College of Law]] has its London campus in [[Moorgate]].

=== Public libraries ===
Libraries operated by the City of London Corporation include Barbican Library, Camomile Street Library, City Business Library, Guildhall Library, and Shoe Lane Library.<ref>"[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/City_of_London_libraries/index.htm City of London libraries]." ''City of London''. Retrieved on 13 January 2009.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Sisterlinks}}
{{Portal|London}}
;Official websites
:*[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ City of London Corporation] - the City's local government website
:*[http://www.visitthecity.co.uk/ Visit the City] - the City's visitor website
:*[http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ Museum of London]

;Geographical information
:*City of London Corporation: [http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Council_and_democracy/Councillors_democracy_and_elections/ward_boundaries_map.htm Ward boundary maps]
:*City of London Police: [http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/citypolice/flash1/index.html Alternative ward map]
:*[http://archivemaps.com MAPCO : Map And Plan Collection Online] - [http://archivemaps.com/mapco/london.htm High resolution historic maps of London c. 1560-1925]

;Local information
:*[http://www.citypubs.co.uk City of London pubs ]
:*[http://www.thecity.co.uk TheCity.co.uk ]
:*{{Wikitravel|London/City of London}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:City Of London}}
[[Category:City of London|*]]
[[Category:Districts of London]]
[[Category:Local government in London]]
[[Category:Financial districts|London, City of]]
[[Category:Economy of London]]
[[Category:Cities in London|London, City of]]
[[Category:Local authorities adjoining the River Thames|London, City of]]
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[[yi:סיטי פון לאנדאן]]
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