Read the text and translate it into Russian. London

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe.

London is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is more than two thousand and five hundred years old. About seven million people live there. There are more than 10 thousand streets in London. Most of them are not very wide and most of the buildings are not tall. Multistorey buildings are hotels and offices. London Underground (or Tube) is the oldest and the longest in Europe. Although many pleasant parks and green squares there.

Traditionally London is divided into 4 parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live there but over a million people come to the City to work.

The area around the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey is called Westminster. It is the historic and the governmental part of London.

The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people.

The East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the buildings are unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families.

Most of London's places of interest are in the West End, One of the most interesting sights here is Trafalgar Square, the geographical centre of London with the 154 ft. Column in the middle. This column was created in tribute to Nelson who defeated the French in the sea battle in 1805. There are four bronze lions at the base. Round the base are four bronze carvings reproducing scenes in the life of Nelson.

On the North side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery where there is one of the finest collections of pictures in the world.

Buckingham Palace was built in 1705. It has been the royal residence since 1837. A favourite time to come and see the Buckingham Palace is 10.30 a.m. when you can see the changing of the guards.

Westminster Abbеу is very beautiful for its architecture. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Here you may also see the tomb of the Unknown soldier who represents a million of dead in the First World War.

In Westminster Abbey there is the Poet's Corner where many of the greatest English writers are buried such as: Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling and others. Here there are memorials to Shakespeare, Scott, Milton and others.

Across the road from Westminster Abbey there is Westminster Palace or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as "Big Ben".

The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 on the ruins of old Roman fortifications. The Tower was originally built up as a fortress protecting the town from sudden attacks of the enemy. For hundreds of years it was used as a prison and visitor today may see the exact place where many nobles were executed. The most popular sight in the Tower is the strongly guarded room in which Crown jewels are displayed.

St. Paul's Cathedral is the greatest of English churches. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, England's greatest architect who built so many of the other churches.

The British Museum is described as being the National Library and Museum of History, Archaeology, Art and Ethnography. It contains thousands of priceless exhibits.

Hyde Park is one of the most popular places in London. It is the largest open space in the West End of London. On any fine afternoon or evening crowds may be seen gathered to listen to Hyde Park speakers who give their views on politics, religion and so on.

Vocabulary

commercial – торговый

multistorey – многоэтажный

noisy - шумный

crowded - переполненный, битком набитый

include - включать

the Bank of England - Английский банк

the Stock Exchange - Лондонская фондовая биржа

the Old Bailey — Центральный уголовный суд

Westminster Abbey - Вестминстерское аббатство

wealth - богатство luxury - роскошь splendid — великолепный

impressive — впечатляющий

densely - густо

to populate - населять

sight - достопримечательность

to erect - возводить, сооружать

in tribute to smb — в память

to defeat - наносить поражение

carving - резьба, гравюра

tomb - могила

William the Conqueror - Вильгельм Завоеватель

Fortress - крепость

noble - знатный

to execute — казнить

jewels — драгоценности

church - церковь

price — цена

exhibit - экспонат

view — взгляд

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14