London and Hayden Christensen: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox actor
{{Otherplaces|London}}
| image = Hayden Christensen 05-2005.jpg
{{Infobox Settlement
| imagesize =
|settlement_type =
| caption = Hayden Christensen, May 2005
|name=London
| birthname =
|official_name=Greater London
| birthdate = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1981|04|19}}
||image_skyline=442px_-_London_Lead_Image.jpg
| birthplace = [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], Canada
|image_caption ='''Top:''' [[City of London]] skyline, '''Middle''': [[Palace of Westminster]], '''Bottom left:''' [[Tower Bridge]], '''Bottom right:''' [[Tower of London]].
| goldenrazberryawards ='''[[Golden Raspberry Award|Worst Supporting Actor]]'''<br>2002 ''[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones]]'' <br>'''[[Golden Raspberry Award|Worst Supporting Actor]]'''<br>2005 ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the sith]]''
|image_map=London (European Parliament constituency).svg
|mapsize=130px
|map_caption=[[Greater London|London region]] shown within the [[United Kingdom]]
||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=[[Districts of England|Districts]]
|subdivision_name3=[[City of London|City]] and [[London borough|32 boroughs]]
|seat_type =
|seat =
|parts_type =
|parts_style=<!-- =list (for list), coll (for collapsed list), para (for paragraph format)
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|parts=<!-- parts text, or header for parts list -->
|
About this image
|leader_title=Regional authority
|leader_name=[[Greater London Authority]]
|leader_title1=[[Regional Assemblies in England|Regional&nbsp;assembly]]
|leader_name1=[[London Assembly]]
|leader_title2=[[Mayor of London|Mayor]]
|leader_name2=[[Boris Johnson]] ([[Conservative Party (United Kingdom)|Con]])
|leader_title3=HQ
|leader_name3=[[City Hall (London)|City Hall]]
|leader_title4=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK&nbsp;Parliament]]</br>&nbsp;-&nbsp;London&nbsp;Assembly</br>&nbsp;-&nbsp;[[European Parliament|European&nbsp;Parliament]]
|leader_name4=[[List of Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London|74 constituencies]]</br> [[London Assembly constituencies|14 constituencies]]</br> [[London (European Parliament constituency)|London constituency]]
|established_title=Settled by [[Roman Empire|Romans]]
|established_date=as [[Roman London|Londinium]] [[circa|c.]] [[Anno Domini|AD]] 50
||area_magnitude=1 E9
|area_total_sq_mi=609
||population_as_of=2006 est.
|population_footnotes =<ref name=Greater_London_population /><ref name=urban_area_pop /><ref name=metro_area_pop1 /><ref name=metro_area_pop2 /><ref>{{Citeweb|url=http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gpro&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-81&srt=pnan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&pt=a&va=&geo=-1048651|title=World: metropolitan areas|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=World Gazetteer}}</ref>
|total_type=Greater London
|population_total=7,355,400
|population_density_km2=4761
|population_density_sq_mi=12331
|population_metro=13 063 441
|population_urban=8,278,251
|population_blank1_title=[[Demonym]]
|population_blank1=Londoner
|population_blank2_title =Ethnicity<br /><small>([[United Kingdom Census 2001|2005 Estimates]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276743&c=London&d=13&e=13&g=325264&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1201351285750&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1812|title=Neighbourhood Statistics|publisher=Neighbourhood Statistics|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref></small>
|population_blank2 ={{Collapsible list
|title =Ethnic groups
|frame_style=border:none; padding: 0; <!--NOTICE: This will hide the borders and make rows closer (padding)-->
|title_style =
|list_style=text-align:left;display:none;
|1 ='''69.6% [[White people|White]]'''
|2=58.2% [[White British]]
|3=2.6% [[Irish Briton|White Irish]]
|4=8.8% [[White Other (United Kingdom Census)|Other White]]
|5=&nbsp;
|6= '''12.9% [[British Asian|South Asian]]'''
|7=6.4% [[Indian British|Indian]]
|8=2.2% [[Pakistani British|Pakistani]]
|9=2.2% [[British Asian|Bangladeshi]]
|10=2.0% [[British Asian|Other South Asian]]
|11=&nbsp;
|12='''10.8% [[Black British|Black]]'''
|13=4.4% [[British African-Caribbean community|Black Caribbean]]
|14=5.5% [[African British|Black African]]
|15 =0.8% [[Black British|Other Black]]
|16 =&nbsp;
|17='''3.4% [[British Mixed|Mixed]]'''
|18=1.0% [[British Mixed|White & Black Caribbean]]
|19=0.5% [[British Mixed|White & Black African]]
|20=0.9% [[British Mixed|White & South Asian]]
|21=0.9% [[British Mixed|White & Other]]
|22 =&nbsp;
|23='''3.3% [[Oriental British|East Asian]] [[Other ethnic group (United Kingdom Census)|and Other]]'''
|24=1.4% [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
|25=1.9% [[Other ethnic group (United Kingdom Census)|Other]]
}}
||timezone=[[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
|utc_offset=0
|timezone_DST=[[British Summer Time|BST]]
|utc_offset_DST=+1
|latd=51 |latm=30 |lats=28 |latNS=N
|longd=00 |longm=07 |longs=41 |longEW=W
|elevation_footnotes =<ref name=Elevation>{{cite web |url=http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/03772.html |title=London, United Kingdom Forecast : Weather Underground (weather and elevation at Heathrow Airport)|publisher=The Weather Underground, Inc.|accessdate=2008-06-06 |format=online}}</ref>
|elevation_m=24
|elevation_ft=79
||postal_code_type=Post code
|postal_code=[[London postal district|Various]]
||website=[http://www.london.gov.uk/ www.london.gov.uk]
|footnotes =
}}
}}


'''Hayden Christensen''' (born April 19, 1981) is a [[Golden Globe Award]]-nominated Canadian [[actor]]. He appeared in [[Canadian content|Canadian television programs]] when he was young, then diversified into American television in the late 1990s. He moved on to minor acting roles before being praised for his role of Sam in ''[[Life as a House]]''. He gained international fame playing the young adult [[Anakin Skywalker]] ([[Darth Vader]]) in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' films.
'''London''' ({{Audio|En-uk-London.ogg|pronunciation}}; {{IPAEng|ˈlʌndən}}) is the [[capital (political)|capital]] and largest urban area in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_2006_1.html|title=The world’s largest cities and urban areas in 2006|publisher=City Mayors.com|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> An important settlement for two millennia, [[History of London|London's history]] goes back to its founding by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Permanent/RomanLondon.htm|title=Roman|publisher=The [[Museum of London]]|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> Since its settlement, London has been part of many important movements and phenomena throughout history, such as the [[English Renaissance]], the [[Industrial Revolution]], and the [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/gothicrevival.html|title=Gothic Revival|publisher=Ontario Architecture|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The city's core, the ancient [[City of London]], still retains its limited medieval boundaries; but since at least the 19th century the name "London" has also referred to the whole metropolis that has developed around it.<ref name="mills">{{cite book|last=Mills|first=David|title=Dictionary of London Place Names|publisher=Oxford Paperbacks|date=2001-02-22|isbn=978-0192801067|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dictionary-London-Place-Names-Paperback-Reference/dp/0192801066|oclc=45406491}}</ref> Today the bulk of this [[conurbation]] forms the London [[Regions of England|region of England]]<ref name="region">{{cite web|url=http://www.gos.gov.uk/gol/factgol/London/?a=42496 Fact Files: London|title=Government Offices for the English Regions|publisher=Government Office for London|accessdate=2008-05-04}}</ref> and the [[Greater London]] administrative area,<ref name="elcock">{{cite book|last=Elcock|first=Howard|title=Local Government: Policy and Management in Local Authorities|publisher=Routledge|date=1994|pages=368|isbn=0415101670}}</ref> with its own elected [[Mayor of London|mayor]] and [[London Assembly|assembly]].<ref name="politics_uk">{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Bill|coauthors=Dennis Kavanagh, Michael Moran, Philip Norton|title=Politics UK|publisher=Pearson Education|date=2007|pages=868|isbn=1405824115}}</ref>


==Biography==
London is one of the world's leading [[business]], [[finance|financial]] and [[cultural]] centres,<ref>{{cite web | last=Z/Yen Limited | title=The Competitive Position of London as a Global Financial Centre | publisher=CityOfLondon.gov.uk | date=November 2005 | url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/131B4294-698B-4FAF-9758-080CCE86A36C/0/BC_RS_compposition_FR.pdf | format=PDF|publisher=CityOfLondon|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> and its influence in [[politics]], [[education]], [[entertainment]], [[Mass media|media]], [[fashion]] and the [[arts]] contribute to its status as a major [[global city]].<ref>
===Early life===
* {{cite web|url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citylist.html|title=Inventory of World Cities|publisher=[[Loughborough University]]|accessdate=2007-08-16}}
Christensen was born in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], Canada, the son of Alie, a speechwriter for the heads of large companies, and David Christensen, a software program writer and communications executive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/55/Hayden-Christensen.html|title=Hayden Christensen Biography (1981-)|accessdate=2008-07-01|publisher=Film Reference}}</ref><ref name="Hello - Bio"/> His father is of [[Danish people|Danish]] descent and his mother has [[Italian people|Italian]] and [[Swedish people|Swedish]] ancestry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2002/03/13/bfhayd.xml|title=A force to be reckoned with|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2002-03-13|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|Telegraph]]}}</ref> Christensen has an elder brother and sister, Tove and Hesja, and a younger sister, Kaylen.<ref name="people"/><ref name="telegraph"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800421140/bio|title=Hayden Christensen Biography|accessdate=2008-07-01|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]}}</ref> Raised outside [[Toronto]] in [[Thornhill, Ontario]], Christensen attended E.J sand Public School, Baythorn Public School and
* {{cite book|last=Sassen|first=Saskia|title=The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo.|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]|date=1991|isbn=0-691-07063-6|url=http://press.princeton.edu/titles/6943.html|accessdate=2007-08-16|oclc=45799502}}
[[Unionville High School (Ontario)|Unionville High School]] in [[Unionville, Ontario]], Canada. He was an athlete in high school, playing hockey at a competitive level and tennis on a [[provincial]] level.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web|first=Linda|last=Lee|title=Film: Up and Coming - Hayden Christensen; Life as the Latest Bearer of the Force|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05E1DB163EF932A15753C1A9679C8B63|accessdate=2007-12-12|date=2001-10-21|work=[[The New York Times|New York Times]]}}</ref> He spent summers in [[Long Island]] with his maternal grandmother, Rose Schwartz,<ref name="nytimes"/> and attended the [[Actors Studio]] in [[New York]] as well as the [[Arts York]] program for drama at his high school. He was "discovered" when his older sister Hejsa, a former [[trampoline]] champion, was shopping around for an agent after she landed a role in a [[Pringles]] potato chips commercial.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite web|first=John|last=Hiscock|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/05/13//bfhay13.xml|title= Skywalker comes down to earth|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2005-05-13|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref name="nytimes"/>
* Global Cities: GaWC Inventory of World Cities 1999 [[Global cities#GaWC Inventory of World Cities (1999 Edition)]];
* Global Cities: GaWC Inventory of World Cities 2004 [[Global cities#GaWC Leading World Cities (2004 Edition)]]</ref> London boasts four [[World Heritage Site]]s: The [[Palace of Westminster]], [[Westminster Abbey]] and [[St. Margaret's, Westminster|St. Margaret's Church]]; the [[Tower of London]]; the historic settlement of [[Greenwich]]; and the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/gb|title=Lists: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|publisher=World Heritage|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The city is a major tourist destination both for domestic and overseas visitors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.y-axis.com/verybritish/VisitOverseas.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070123080157/http://www.y-axis.com/verybritish/VisitOverseas.htm|archivedate=2007-01-23|title=Very British Career Fair&nbsp;— Visit Overseas|publisher=Y-axis Overseas Careers|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref>


===1993&ndash;2000===
London's diverse population draws from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions, and over 300 languages are spoken within the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cilt.org.uk/faqs/langspoken.htm|title=Languages spoken in the UK population.|publisher=CILT|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> As of 2006, it has an official population of 7,512,400 within the boundaries of [[Greater London]]<ref name=Greater_London_population>{{cite web | title=T 08: Selected age groups for local authorities in the United Kingdom; estimated resident population; Mid-2006 Population Estimates | publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] | date=22 August 2007| url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=9664&More=Y | format=XLS | accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> and is the [[Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits|most populous municipality]] in the [[European Union]].<ref name="largest_city_eu">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=384|title=Largest EU City. Over 7 million residents in 2001|publisher=www.statistics.gov.uk|accessdate=2008-06-28}}</ref> As of 2001, the [[Greater London Urban Area]] has a population of 8,278,251<ref name="urban_area_pop">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8271&More=Y|title=KS01 Usual resident population: Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas|publisher=www.statistics.gov.uk|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> and the [[metropolitan area]] is estimated to have a total population of between 12 and 14&nbsp;million.<ref name="metro_area_pop1">{{cite web|url=http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&srt=npan&col=aohdq&pt=a&va=&srt=pnan|title=World Gazetteer|publisher=World: metropolitan areas|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref><ref name=metro_area_pop2>{{cite web | title=London Metropolitan Area population | date=28 August 2007| url=http://www.demographia.com/dm-lonarea.htm|publisher=Demographia|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>
Christensen's first acting role was on the television series ''[[Family Passions]]'', which aired on Canadian television in September 1993, at the age of twelve.<ref name="filmography">{{cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/haydenchristensen/?view=jobs|title=Hello Magazine Filmography - Hayden Christensen|accessdate=2008-07-01|work=[[Hello Magazine]]}}</ref> The following year he acquired a minor role in [[John Carpenter]]'s ''[[In the Mouth of Madness]]''.<ref name="filmography"/> From 1995 through 1999, he appeared in several movies and television shows, including ''[[Harrison Bergeron (film)|Harrison Bergeron]]'', ''[[Forever Knight]]'', ''[[Goosebumps]]'', ''[[The Virgin Suicides (film)|The Virgin Suicides]]'', and ''[[Are You Afraid of the Dark? (TV series)|Are You Afraid of the Dark?]]''.<ref name="filmography"/>


He acquired wider notice while starring in [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s Family Network television series, ''[[Higher Ground (TV series)|Higher Ground]]'' in 2000, portraying a teen who was [[Sexual abuse#Child sexual abuse|sexually molested]] by his [[stepfamily|stepmother]], who then turned to [[drug abuse|drugs]] in his despair.<ref name="filmography"/><ref name="scifi">{{cite web|first=David|last=Welch|url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/interviews/sfw8458.html|title=The cast and crew of the latest Star Wars flick aren't cloning around|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2002-05-20|publisher=Sci Fi}}</ref>
The city will host the [[2012 Summer Olympics|Olympic]] and [[2012 Summer Paralympics|Paralympic]] Games in 2012.


===2001&ndash;2005===
== History ==
While Christensen's critically acclaimed portrayal of a misunderstood teenager in ''[[Life as a House]]'' (2001) earned him [[Golden Globe]] and [[Screen Actors Guild|SAG]] Award nominations as well as the [[National Board of Review of Motion Pictures|National Board of Review]]'s award for ''Breakthrough Performance of the Year'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29029|title=HFPA - Awards Search|accessdate=2008-07-01|publisher=Golden Globes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sagawards.org/8_award_nom|title=8th Annual SAG Awards Nominees|accessdate=2008-07-01|publisher=SAG Awards}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbrmp.org/awards/past.cfm?year=2001|title=National Board of Review of Motion Pictures - Awards 2001|accessdate=2008-07-01|publisher=NBRMP}}</ref> the performance didn't receive widespread public notice.<ref name="scifi"/> For his part in the movie, Christensen lost 25 pounds through a special diet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0062876/|title='Star Wars' Star Ordered to Pile on the Pounds|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2002-12-05|publisher=IMDB.com|work=Wenn.com}}</ref> He eventually gained the weight back during the filming for ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2002/05/11/bffive11.xml|title=Top five Star Wars characters|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2002-11-05|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite video|year=2005|title=Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>
{{main|History of London|Etymology of London}}
{{see also|Fortifications of London}}


His role as [[Anakin Skywalker]] (who was previously played by [[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]] and [[Jake Lloyd]]) in ''[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002) made him a star.<ref name="Hello - Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/haydenchristensen/?|title=Hello Magazine Profile - Hayden Christensen|accessdate=2008-07-01|work=[[Hello Magazine]]}}</ref> Although his performance was met with mixed reviews by critics (even earning him the [[Razzie]] Award for Worst Supporting Actor in both Episodes II and III),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121765/awards|title=Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) Awards|accessdate=2008-07-01|publisher=IMDB.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Razzie_Awards/2006|title=Razzie Awards: 2006|accessdate=2008-07-01|2006-03-04|publisher=IMDB.com}}</ref> he became very popular among audiences, being named in both [[People (magazine)|''People Magazine'']]'s 50 Most Beautiful People and [[Teen People|''Teen People'']]'s 25 Hottest Stars under 25.<ref name="people">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20136997,00.html|title=Hayden Christensen: Actor|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2002-05-13|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> He went on to receive good reviews for 2003's ''[[Shattered Glass]]'', which tells the true story of journalist [[Stephen Glass (reporter)|Stephen Glass]], who was discovered fabricating stories as a writer for ''[[The New Republic]]''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Roger|last=Ebert|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031107/REVIEWS/311070305/1023|title=Shattered Glass Review|accessdate=2008-07-27|date=2003-11-07|publisher=Roger Ebert.com|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Schembri|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Film/Darth-wish/2005/05/19/1116361654630.html|title=Darth wish|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2005-05-20|publisher=The Age}}</ref> Peter Travers of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' writes "Hayden Christensen is sensational as Glass, finding the wonder boy and the weasel in a disturbed kid flying high on a fame he hasn't earned."<ref>{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Travers|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947837/review/5947838/shattered_glass|title=Shattered Glass Review|accessdate=2008-07-27|date=2003-10-23|work=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>
The [[etymology]] of London remains a mystery. The earliest etymological explanation can be attributed to [[Geoffrey of Monmouth]] in ''[[Historia Regum Britanniae]]''. The name is described as originating from [[Lud son of Heli|King Lud]], who had allegedly taken over the city and named it ''Kaerlud''. This was slurred into ''Kaerludein'' and finally ''London''. Many [[Etymology of London|other theories]] have been advanced over the centuries, most of them deriving the name from [[Welsh language|Welsh]] or [[British language (Celtic)|British]], and occasionally from [[Anglo-Saxon language|Anglo-Saxon]] or even [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]].


Stock footage of Christensen was used in the controversial 2004 DVD release of ''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi]]'', where he was inserted over the original actor, Sebastian Shaw.<ref name="DVD">{{cite video|year=2004|title=Star Wars Trilogy: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> This version is now considered the [[canon (literature)|canonical]] version in the ''Star Wars'' universe. Christensen insists this was done without his knowledge, an act that is confirmed by [[Lucasfilm]] itself in the featurette "Return of the Jedi: What has changed?" as seen on the official website to commemorate the 2006 DVDs.<ref name="DVD"/>
In 1998, [[Richard Coates]], a [[linguistics]] professor, criticised these suggestions, and proposed that the name derives from the pre-Celtic ''*plowonida'', which roughly means "a river too wide to ford".<ref name="Richard Coates">{{cite web|url=http://www.chr.org.uk/legends.htm|title=Legend of London's Origin|publisher=Cultural Heritage Resources|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> He suggested that the [[Thames]] running through London was given this name, and the inhabitants added the suffix ''-on'' or ''-onjon'' to their settlement.<ref name="Richard Coates" /> [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] ''*p'' was regularly lost in [[proto-Celtic]], and through linguistic change, the name developed from ''Plowonidonjon'' to ''Lundonjon'', then contracted to ''Lundein'' or ''Lundyn'', Latinised to ''Londinium'', and finally borrowed by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] as ''Lundene''.<ref name=coates>{{cite journal|last=Coates|first=Richard|authorlink=Richard Coates|year=1998|title=A new explanation of the name of London|journal=Transactions of the Philological Society|volume=96|issue=2|pages=203–229|url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/cookieabsent.html | doi=10.1111/1467-968X.00027 <!--Retrieved from URL by DOI bot-->}}</ref>


===2006&ndash;present===
{{imagestack
Between 2006 and 2007, he starred in ''[[Awake (film)|Awake]]'', with [[Jessica Alba]], which tells the story of a man who remains awake but paralyzed during [[heart surgery]],<ref name="filmography"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Frank|last=Scheck|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?JSESSIONID=KKTYHQvY8VpBVtqmN5lrkmvTPLVSF6MM6jQn1FJnxGhWHfS1z11Q!422802220&&rid=10263|title=Awake: Bottom Line: Sleep won't be an option|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2007-12-03|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> and in ''[[Factory Girl]]'' &mdash; as a character loosely based upon [[Bob Dylan]] &mdash; opposite [[Sienna Miller]] and [[Guy Pearce]].<ref name="filmography"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Howell|url=http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/179873|title='Factory Girl': Time's up|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2007-02-09|work=[[Toronto Star|TheStar]]}}</ref> Christensen next starred with [[Samuel L. Jackson]], [[Jamie Bell]] and [[Rachel Bilson]] in the film ''[[Jumper (film)|Jumper]]'', the story of a young man who discovers he has the ability to [[teleport]]; the film was released on February 14, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Kiefer|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/movies/17kief.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|title='Oh My God, Can You Rent the Colosseum?'|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2006-12-17|work=[[The New York Times|New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url =http://www.moviehole.net/news/20060722_news_from_comic_con_christense.html | title = Christensen Onboard Jumper? | publisher = Moviehole | date = [[2006-07-22]] | accessdate = 2006-07-24 }}</ref> Bilson and Christensen co-starred again in the same segment of the film ''[[New York, I Love You]]''. Christensen also appeared opposite [[Mischa Barton]] in ''[[Virgin Territory]]'', which was released directly-to-DVD in North America in August of 2008. The film, based on ''[[The Decameron]]'', is about a group of people who escape the [[Black Plague]] epidemic by hiding out in a [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] Villa in Italy.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dave|last=Foster|url=http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=68131|title=Virgin Territory (R2) in August|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2008-06-26|publisher=DVD Times}}</ref>
|[[Image:DR 337 Vallebergastenen.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[England Runestones#DR 337|Runestone Dr 337]] raised in memory of two Vikings who died in London.]]
[[Image:Westminster-abbey.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Westminster Abbey]] is one of London's oldest and most important buildings and a [[World Heritage Site]].]]
|right}}
Although there is evidence of scattered [[Britons (historic)|Brythonic]] settlements in the area, the first major settlement was founded by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] in [[Anno Domini|AD]]&nbsp;43 as ''[[Roman London|Londinium]]'', following the [[Roman conquest of Britain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A32778660|title=The Roman Conquest of Britain|date=June 19, 2008|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> This [[Londinium]] lasted for just seventeen years. Around 61, the [[Iceni]] tribe led by Queen [[Boudica]] stormed this first [[Londinium|London]], burning it to the ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/romanbritain_timeline_noflash.shtml|title=British History Timeline&nbsp;— Roman Britain|publisher=British Boradcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The next, heavily-planned incarnation of the city prospered and superseded [[Colchester]] as the capital of the [[Roman Britain|Roman province]] of [[Britannia]] in 100. At its height in the 2nd century, Roman London had a population of around 60,000.


Christensen was slated to appear in an adaptation of [[William Gibson]]'s seminal [[cyberpunk]] novel, ''[[Neuromancer]]'', set for a 2009 release, but has since been removed from the IMDB cast list.<ref>{{cite web|first=Monika|last=Bartyzel|url=http://www.cinematical.com/2008/01/09/hayden-christensen-is-william-gibsons-neuromancer/|title=Hayden Christensen is William Gibson's Neuromancer?!|accessdate=2008-07-01|date=2008-01-09|publisher=Cinematical}}</ref><ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1037220/</ref> In September of 2008 it was announced that Christensen and [[Paul Walker]] signed onto the [[crime drama]] Bone Deep set for a 2010 release. He will play a young detective alongside [[Matt Dillon]].
By the 600s, the [[Anglo-Saxons]] had created a new settlement called [[Anglo-Saxon London|Lundenwic]] approximately {{convert|1000|yd|km}} upstream from the old Roman city, around what is now [[Covent Garden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Past/MissingLink/Themes/TML_themes_Lundenwic.htm|title=The early years of Lundenwic|publisher=The [[Museum of London]]|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> It is likely that there was a harbour at the mouth of the [[River Fleet]] for fishing and trading, and this trading grew until the city was overcome by the [[Viking]]s and forced to relocate the city back to the location of the Roman ''Londinium'' to use its walls for protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections/Onlineresources/RWWC/themes/1295/1288|title=Viking and Danish London|publisher=The [[Museum of London]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Viking attacks continued to increase around the rest of South East England, until 886 when [[Alfred the Great]] recaptured London and made peace with the Danish leader, [[Guthrum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Permanent/medieval/Themes/1033/1035/default.htm|title=Medievil London&nbsp;— Vikings|publisher=The [[Museum of London]]|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The original Saxon city of Lundenwic became ''Ealdwic'' ("old city"), a name surviving to the present day as [[Aldwych]], which is in the modern [[City of Westminster]].


==Filmography==
In a retaliatory attack, Ethelred's army achieved victory by pulling down [[London Bridge]] with the Danish garrison on top, and English control was re-established. Canute took control of the English throne in 1017, controlling the city and country until 1042, when his death resulted in a reversion to [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] control under his pious stepson [[Edward the Confessor]], who re-founded [[Westminster Abbey]] and the adjacent [[Palace of Westminster]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/edward_confessor.shtml|title=Edward the Confessor (c.1003 - 1066)|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref> By this time, London had become the largest and most prosperous city in England, although the official [[seat of government]] was still at [[Winchester]].
{| class="wikitable"

|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
[[Image:London 1300 Historical Atlas William R Shepherd (died 1934).PNG|thumb|left|225px|Map of London in 1300, showing the medieval boundaries of the [[City of London]].]]
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes

Following a victory at the [[Battle of Hastings]], [[William the Conqueror]], the then [[Duke of Normandy]], was crowned King of England in the newly-finished [[Westminster Abbey]] on [[Christmas Day]] 1066.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/1066_06.shtml|title=BBC&nbsp;— History - 1066 - King William|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> William granted the citizens of London special privileges, while building a castle in the south-east corner of the city to keep them under control. This castle was expanded by later kings and is now known as the [[Tower of London]], serving first as a [[Palace|royal residence]] and later as a [[prison]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/architecture_02.shtml|title=A History of British Architecture&nbsp;— White Tower|last=Tinniswood|first=Adrian |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref>

In 1097, [[William II of England|William II]] began the building of [[Westminster Hall]], close by the abbey of the same name. The hall proved the basis of a new [[Palace of Westminster]], the prime royal residence throughout [[Middle Ages|the Middle Ages]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/about/history/building.cfm|title=UK Parliament&nbsp;— Parliament: The building|date=09/11/2007|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/parliament/guide/palace.htm|title=Palace of Westminster|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Westminster became the seat of the royal court and government (persisting until the present day), while its distinct neighbour, the City of London, was a centre of trade and commerce and flourished under its own unique administration, the [[City of London Corporation|Corporation of London]]. London grew in wealth and population during the Middle Ages. In 1100 its population was around 18,000; by 1300 it had grown to nearly 100,000.<ref>{{cite book|last=Schofield|first=John|coauthors=Alan Vince|title=Medieval Towns: The Archaeology of British Towns in Their European Setting|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|date=2003|pages=26|isbn=9780826460028|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Qu7QLC7g7VgC&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=london+population+1100+-+1300&source=web&ots=OG8jbEB20l&sig=3VkJIrGtBZ_8Gom4HOtnmaPljoU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA26,M1}}</ref> However disaster struck during the [[Black Death]] in the mid-14th century, when London lost nearly a third of its population. Apart from the invasion of London during the [[Peasants' Revolt]] in 1381,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/richard_ii_king.shtml|title=Richard II (1367 - 1400)|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-10-12}}</ref> London remained relatively untouched by the various civil wars during the Middle Ages, such as the [[First Barons' War|first]] and [[Second Barons' War|second]] Barons' Wars and the [[Wars of the Roses]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1111339|title=The Causes of the Wars of the Roses|date=July 16, 2003|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-10-12}}</ref>

[[Image:Great Fire London.jpg|thumb|The [[Great Fire of London]] destroyed many parts of the city in 1666.]]
After the successful defeat of the [[Spanish Armada]] in 1588, political stability in England allowed London to grow further. In 1603, [[James VI of Scotland]] came to the throne of England, essentially uniting the two countries. His enactment of harsh [[anti-Catholicism|anti-Catholic]] laws made him unpopular, and an [[Assassination|assassination attempt]] was made on 5 November 1605—the well-known [[Gunpowder Plot]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/gunpowder_robinson_01.shtml|title=The Gunpowder Plot|last=Robinson|first=Bruce|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref>

[[Black Death|Plague]] caused extensive problems for London in the early 17th century, culminating in the [[Great Plague of London|Great Plague]] in 1665–1666. This was the last major outbreak in England, possibly thanks to the disastrous fire of 1666.<ref name="Samuel Pepys' Diary" /> The [[Great Fire of London]] broke out in the original City and quickly swept through London's wooden buildings, destroying large swathes of the city.<ref name="Samuel Pepys' Diary" /> A first hand narrative of both plague and fire was provided by Sir [[Samuel Pepys]].<ref name="Samuel Pepys' Diary">{{cite book|last=Pepys|first=Samuel|title=The Diary of Samuel Pepys|publisher=Random House USA|date=28 June 2001|isbn=978-0679642213|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Samuel-Pepys-Modern-Library/dp/0679642218/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qisbn=1219858000&sr=1-2|oclc=45714685}}</ref> Rebuilding took over ten years, largely under direction of a Commission appointed by King [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] and chaired by Sir [[Christopher Wren]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/after_fire_02.shtml |title=London After the Great Fire: Civil War and Revolution|last=Schofield J|date=January 2001|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Special/LondonsBurning/Themes/1405/|title=Museum of London&nbsp;— Rebuilding after the fire|publisher=Museum of London|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jX8ZAAAAIAAJ&q=rebuilding+of+london&dq=rebuilding+of+london&pgis=1|title=The Rebuilding of London After the Great Fire|publisher=Thomas Fiddian|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

[[Image:LondonBombedWWII full.jpg|thumb|left|A London street hit during [[the Blitz]] of [[World War II]].]]
Following London's growth in the 18th century, it became the world's largest city from about 1831 to 1925.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/i-m/london4.html|title=London: The greatest city |publisher=Channel4.com|accessdate=2008-10-12}}</ref> Rising [[traffic congestion]] on city centre roads led to the creation of the world's first [[rapid transit|metro]] system—the [[London Underground]]—in 1863, driving further expansion and urbanisation.<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/1604.aspx |title=London Underground: History|author=Transport for London |accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's [[local government]] system struggled to cope with the rapid growth, especially in providing the city with adequate [[Infrastructure in London|infrastructure]]. Between 1855 and 1889, the [[Metropolitan Board of Works]] oversaw infrastructure expansion. It was then replaced by the [[County of London]], overseen by the [[London County Council]], London's first elected city-wide administration.

[[The Blitz]] and other bombing by the [[Germany|German]] ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' during [[World War II]] killed over 30,000 Londoners and destroyed large tracts of housing and other buildings across London. The rebuilding during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s was characterised by a wide range of [[architectural style]]s and has resulted in a lack of architectural unity that has become part of London's character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.diplo.de/Vertretung/london/en/02/An__Embassy__in__Belgrave__Square/Churches__in__London__Seite.html|title=The German churches in London|publisher=German Embassy London|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> In 1965 London's political boundaries were expanded to take into account the growth of the urban area outside the County of London's borders. The expanded area was called [[Greater London]] and was administered by the [[Greater London Council]].

An eco revival from the 1980s onwards re-established London's position as a pre-eminent international centre. However, as the seat of government and the most important city in the UK, it has been subjected to bouts of [[terrorism]]. [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] bombers sought to pressure the [[British government|government]] into negotiations over [[Northern Ireland]], frequently disrupting city activities with [[bomb threat]]s—some of which were carried out—until their 1997 cease-fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/9240/#3|title=Provisional Irish Republican Army (U.K., separatists)|date=November 2005|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> More recently, a [[7 July 2005 London bombings|series of coordinated bomb attacks]] were carried out by [[Islamic]] [[extremism|extremist]] [[suicide bombers]] on the public transport network on 7 July 2005—just 24&nbsp;hours after London was [[2012 Summer Olympics bids|awarded]] the [[2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/london_blasts/what_happened/html/default.stm|title=BBC News&nbsp;— London Attacks|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref>

== Governance ==
{{seealso|List of heads of London government}}
[[Image:City hall london.jpg|thumb|upright|[[City Hall (London)|City Hall]] at night, headquarters of the [[Greater London Authority]].]]
=== Local government ===
[[Image:Greater London Authority logo.png|thumb|left|Logo of the Greater London Authority]]
{{main|Local government in London|History of local government in London}}

The administration of London is formed of two tiers&nbsp;— a city-wide, strategic tier and a local tier. City-wide administration is coordinated by the [[Greater London Authority]] (GLA), while local administration is carried out by 33 smaller authorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/|title=About the Greater London Authority|publisher=London Government|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref> The GLA consists of two elected parts; the [[Mayor of London]], who has executive powers, and the [[London Assembly]], who scrutinise the Mayor's decisions and can accept or reject his budget proposals each year. The GLA was set up in 2000 to replace the similar [[Greater London Council]] (GLC) which had been abolished in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/london-life/city-government/history.jsp|title=A short history of London government|publisher=London Government|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref> The headquarters of the GLA and the Mayor of London is at [[City Hall (London)|City Hall]]; the Mayor is [[Boris Johnson]]. The 33 local authorities are the councils of the 32 [[London borough]]s and the [[City of London Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/london/links.jsp|title=Links to other websites - London boroughs|publisher=London Government|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref> They are responsible for local services not overseen by the GLA, such as local planning, schools, [[Social work|social services]], local roads and refuse collection.

=== National government ===
London is the home of the [[Government of the United Kingdom]] which is located around the [[Palace of Westminster|Houses of Parliament]] in [[Westminster]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/304/Parliament.php|title=Parliament|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Many government departments are located close to Parliament, particularly along [[Whitehall]], including the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister's]] residence at [[10 Downing Street]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp|title=10 Downing Street&nbsp;— Official Website|publisher=10 Downing Street|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> The British Parliament is often referred to as the "Mother of Parliaments" (although this ''[[sobriquet]]'' was first applied to England itself by [[John Bright]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/talking_politics/96021.stm |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |accessdate=2008-06-06 |date=1998-06-03 |title=UK Politics: Talking Politics—The 'Mother of Parliaments'}}</ref> because it has been the model for most other parliamentary systems, and its Acts have created many other parliaments. London is represented in the national [[British House of Commons|Parliament]] by 74 [[Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament]] (MPs) who correspond to local parliamentary [[United Kingdom constituencies|constituencies]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/4293078.stm|title=London: Ethnic vote |date=September 30, 2005|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-10-12}}</ref> For a list of London constituencies, see [[List of Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London]]. Of these 74 MPs, 44 are from the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], 21 are [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], 8 are [[Liberal Democrats]] and one is from the [[Respect – The Unity Coalition|RESPECT]] party.

== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of London}}
[[Image:London SPOT 1005.jpg|thumb|right|London seen from [[SPOT (satellites)|SPOT satellite]]]]
=== Scope ===
[[Image:Central London Andh.svg|thumb|left|Map of Central London]]
London can be geographically defined in a number of ways, although the situation was once even more ambiguous than it is now and open to periodic legal debate.<ref name="chancery">{{cite book|last=Beavan|first=Charles|coauthors=Bickersteth, Harry|title=Reports of Cases in Chancery, Argued and Determined in the Rolls Court|publisher=Saunders and Benning|date=1865|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=YFYDAAAAQAAJ}}</ref> At London's core is the small, ancient [[City of London]] which is commonly known as 'the City' or 'the Square Mile'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/08/15/charingcross_feature.shtml|title=BBC&nbsp;— London&nbsp;— Features&nbsp;— Where is the Centre of London?|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's metropolitan area grew considerably during the [[Victorian era]] and again during the [[Interwar period]], but expansion halted in the 1940s because of [[World War II]] and [[Green Belt (UK)|Green Belt]] legislation, and the area has been largely static since.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dilys|first=M Hill|title=Urban Policy and Politics in Britain|publisher=St. Martin's Press|date=2000|pages=268|isbn=0312227450}}</ref> The London [[regions of England|region of England]], also commonly known as [[Greater London]], is the area administered by the [[Greater London Authority]].<ref name=region/> The urban sprawl of the conurbation—or [[Greater London Urban Area]]—covers a roughly similar area, with a slightly larger population. Beyond this is the vast [[London commuter belt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/plansd/london_regional_200104.pdf|title=London in its Regional Setting (PDF)|publisher=London Assembly|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

Forty percent of Greater London is covered by the [[London postal district]], within which 'LONDON' forms part of the postal address.<ref>{{cite book|last=Stationery Office|title=The Inner London Letter Post|publisher=H.M.S.O|date=1980|pages=128|isbn=0102515808}}</ref> The [[020|London telephone area code]] covers a larger area, similar in size to Greater London, although some outer districts are omitted and some places just outside are included. The area within the orbital [[M25 motorway]] is sometimes used to define the "London area"<ref>{{cite book|last=Mail|first=Royal|title=Address Management Guide|publisher=Royal Mail|date=2004}}</ref> and the Greater London boundary has been [[List of Greater London boundary changes|aligned to it]] in places.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1993/Uksi_19930441_en_1.htm|title=The Essex, Greater London and Hertfordshire (County and London Borough Boundaries) Order|date=1993|publisher=Office of Public Sector Information|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Greater London is split for some purposes into [[Inner London]] and [[Outer London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1963/cukpga_19630033_en_1|title=London Government Act 1963|publisher=Office of Public Sector Information|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> Informally, the city is split into [[North London|North]], [[South London|South]], [[East London, England|East]], [[West London|West]] and often also [[Central London]].

The [[Metropolitan Police District]], [[History of local government in London|city-wide local government area]] and [[History of transport in London (1933-2003)|London transport area]] have varied over time, but broadly coincide with the Greater London boundary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1999/ukpga_19990029_en_1|title=Greater London Authority Act 1999|publisher=OPSI|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] may have marked the centre of ''[[Londinium]]'' with the [[London Stone]], still visible on [[Cannon Street]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Trafalgar Square History|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/history/index.jsp|publisher=Greater London Authority|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The coordinates of the nominal centre of London (traditionally considered to be the original [[Eleanor Cross]] at [[Charing Cross]], near the junction of [[Trafalgar Square]] and [[Whitehall]]) are approximately {{coord|51|30|29|N|00|07|29|W|type:city(7,000,000)_region:GB}}. Trafalgar Square has also become a point for celebrations and protests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/|title=Trafalgar Square&nbsp;— Greater London Authority|publisher=London Government|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

=== Status ===
Within London, both the City of London and the [[City of Westminster]] have [[City status in the United Kingdom|City status]] and both the City of London and the remainder of Greater London are the [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial counties]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/ukpga_19970023_en_1|title=Lieutenancies Act 1997|publisher=OPSI|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The current area of [[Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England#Greater London|Greater London]] was [[historic counties of England|historically]] part of the counties of [[Middlesex]], [[Kent]], [[Surrey]], [[Essex]] and [[Hertfordshire]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Barlow|first=I. M. |title=Metropolitan Government|publisher=Routledge|date=1991|pages=346|isbn=Routledge}}</ref> Unlike most capital cities, London's status as the capital of the UK has never been granted or confirmed officially—by [[statute]] or in written form. Its position as the capital has formed through [[constitutional convention (political custom)|constitutional convention]], making its position as ''[[de facto]]'' capital a part of the [[Constitution of the United Kingdom|UK's unwritten constitution]]. The capital of England was moved to London from [[Winchester]] as the [[Palace of Westminster]] developed in the 12th and 13th centuries to become the permanent location of the [[Noble court|royal court]], and thus the political capital of the nation.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Schofield|first=John|date=June 1999|title=British Archaeology Issue 45, June 1999|publisher=British Archaeology|issue=45|issn=1357-4442|url=http://www.britarch.ac.uk/BA/ba45/ba45regs.html|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> According to the Collins English Dictionary definition of 'the seat of government,'<ref>{{cite book |title=Collins English Dictionary|publisher=Collins Education plc|year=1994 }}</ref> London is not the capital of England, as England does not have its own government. However according to the Oxford English Reference dictionary definition<ref>{{cite book|title=Oxford English Reference Dictionary|publisher=Oxford English}}</ref> of 'the most important town...' and many other authorities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmpubacc/501/501.pdf|title=HC 501 0304.PDF|publisher=Parliament Publications|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref><ref>'England'{{cite book |title=Collins English Dictionary |publisher=Collins Education plc|year=1994}}</ref> London is properly considered the capital of England.

=== Topography ===
Greater London covers an area of {{convert|609|sqmi|km²}}, making it the 37th largest [[List of cities by area|urban area in the world]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities-area-125.html|title=World's Largest Urban Areas|publisher=City Mayor|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Its primary geographical feature is the [[River Thames|Thames]], a [[navigable river]] which crosses the city from the south-west to the east.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/london/thames.htm|title=River Thames London|publisher=Woodlands Junior School|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> The [[Thames Valley]] is a [[floodplain]] surrounded by gently rolling hills such as [[Parliament Hill, London|Parliament Hill]], [[Addington Hills]], and [[Primrose Hill]]. These hills presented no significant obstacle to the growth of London from its origins as a port on the north side of the river, and therefore London is roughly circular. Many of the [[List of highest points in London|highest points in London]] are located in the suburbs or on the boundaries with adjacent counties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/LondonBoroughs.php|title=London Borough Tops|publisher=Hill Bagging|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref>

The Thames was once a much broader, shallower river with extensive [[marshland]]s; at high tide, its shores reached five times their present width.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=M9qvtYYhRtAC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=thames+%22iron+age%22+london+wide+geography+shallow+marsh&ots=wVDtRsVF-V&sig=GFqR9QKs45u-ggfYI0dcCA3GUzc#PPA10,M1|title=''London: A History, by Francis Sheppard page 10.|publisher=Google Books|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Since the [[Victorian era]] it has been extensively [[Thames Embankment|embanked]], and many of its London [[tributary|tributaries]] now flow [[Subterranean rivers of London|underground]]. The Thames is a tidal river, and London is vulnerable to flooding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/1190084/natural_forces/flooding/?version=1&lang=_e|title=Flooding|publisher=UK [[Environment Agency]]|accessdate=2006-06-19}}</ref> The threat has increased over time due to a slow but continuous rise in [[Tide|high water]] level by the slow 'tilting' of Britain (up in the north and down in the south) caused by post-[[glacier|glacial]] [[isostatic rebound|rebound]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/1190084/natural_forces/sealevels/?version=1&lang=_e|title="Sea Levels" - UK Environment Agency|publisher=[[Environment Agency]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> In 1974, a decade of work began on the construction of the [[Thames Barrier]] across the Thames at [[Woolwich]] to deal with this threat. While the barrier is expected to function as designed until roughly 2030, concepts for its future enlargement or redesign are already being discussed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5092218.stm|title=BBC News: On the rise: The Thames in 2100|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
{{climate chart
|London
|2.4|7.9|52
|2.2|8.2|34
|3.8|10.9|42
|5.2|13.3|45
|8.0|17.2|47
|11.1|20.2|53
|13.6|22.8|38
|13.3|22.6|53
|10.9|19.3|57
|8.0|15.2|62
|4.8|10.9|52
|3.3|8.8|54
|source=Met Office<ref name="metoffice">{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/greenwich.html|title=Greenwich 1971-2000 averages|publisher=[[Met Office|UK Met Office]]|accessdate=2007-02-21}}</ref>
|float=right
}}{{clearright}}
London has a [[temperate]] [[Oceanic climate|marine climate]], like much of the [[British Isles]], so the city rarely sees extremely high or low temperatures. Summers are warm with average high temperatures of {{convert|23|°C|°F}} and lows of {{convert|14|°C|°F}}, however, temperatures could exceed {{convert|25|°C|°F}} on many days.
Winters in London are chilly, but rarely below freezing with temperatures around 2 - 8&nbsp;°C (36 - 46&nbsp;°F), while spring has mild days and cool evenings.

London has regular but generally light precipitation throughout the year, with average precipitation of {{convert|583.6|mm|in}} every year.
Snow is relatively uncommon, particularly because [[Urban heat island|heat from the urban area]] can make London up to 5 °C (9 °F) hotter than the surrounding areas in winter. Light snowfall, however, is sometimes, but not always, seen up to a few times a year. London is in [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] [[Hardiness zone]] 9, and [[Hardiness zone|AHS Heat Zone 2]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhs.org.uk/news/climate_change/chapter4_5.pdf|title=Chapter 4 59 Plants in natural and managed communities|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|pages=6|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref>

In the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, London was noted for its dense fogs and smogs. Following the deadly [[Great Smog of 1952]], the [[Clean Air Act 1956]] was passed, leading to the decline of such severe pollution in the capital.

=== Districts ===
{{seealso|List of places in London|Central London|Inner London|Outer London}}
London's vast urban area is often described using a set of district names (e.g. [[Bloomsbury]], [[Knightsbridge]], [[Mayfair]], [[Whitechapel]], [[Fitzrovia]]). These are either informal designations, or reflect the names of superseded villages, parishes and city wards. Such names have remained in use through tradition, each referring to a neighbourhood with its own distinctive character, but often with no modern official boundaries. Since 1965 Greater London has been divided into 32 [[London borough]]s in addition to the ancient City of London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londononline.co.uk/boroughs/|title=The 32 London Boroughs|publisher=London Online|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref>

<!-- Do ''not'' change to just London. "The City of London" is a specific region. -->The City of London is one of the world's three largest financial centres (alongside [[New York City|New York]] and [[Tokyo]]) with a dominant role in several international financial markets, including cross-border bank lending, international bond issuance and trading, foreign-exchange trading,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/london-life/business-and-jobs/financial-centre.jsp|title=London as a financial centre|publisher=Mayor of London|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> over-the-counter derivatives, fund management and foreign equities trading.<ref name="London Financial District">{{cite web|url=http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/cm/business/cases/london.htm|title=London: Centre of International Finance.|publisher=University of Florida|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> It also has the world's largest insurance market, the leading exchange for dealing in non-precious metals, the largest spot gold and gold lending markets, the largest ship broking market, and more foreign banks and investment houses than any other centre.<ref name="London Financial District" /> The City has its own governance and boundaries, giving it a status as the only completely autonomous local authority in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/about_us/ |title=What is the City of London? |publisher=City of London Corporation |accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London's new financial and commercial hub is the [[London Docklands|Docklands]] area to the east of the City, dominated by the [[Canary Wharf]] complex. Other businesses locate in the [[City of Westminster]], the home of the [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK's national government]] and the well-known [[Westminster Abbey]].

The [[West End of London|West End]] is London's main entertainment and shopping district, with locations such as [[Oxford Street]], [[Leicester Square]], [[Covent Garden]] and [[Piccadilly Circus]] acting as tourist magnets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1608619.stm |title=West End still drawing crowds |work=BBC |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The [[West London]] area is known for fashionable and expensive residential areas such as [[Notting Hill]], [[Knightsbridge]] and [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]]—where properties can sell for tens of millions of pounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2006/apr/17/tax.g2|title=Guardian Unlimited Money.|work=The Guardian Money|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The average price for all properties in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is £894,000 with similar average outlay in most of [[Central London]].<ref name="London's Properties">{{cite web|url=http://rbkc.gov.uk/Planning/localdevelopmentframework/ldf_hs_appendix_a2.pdf|title=Price of Properties.|publisher=Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

The eastern region of London contains the [[East End of London|East End]] and East London. The East End is the area closest to the original [[Port of London]], known for its high immigrant population, as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London.<ref name="East End">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060829024354/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8487518/site/newsweek/ |title=Tomorrow’s East End |publisher=News Week |accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref> The surrounding [[East London, England|East London]] area saw much of London's early industrial development; now, [[brownfield land|brownfield]] sites throughout the area are being redeveloped as part of the [[Thames Gateway]] including the [[London Riverside]] and [[Lower Lea Valley]], which is being developed into the [[Olympic Park, London|Olympic Park]] for the [[London 2012 Olympic bid|2012 Olympics]].<ref name="East End" />
{{clear}}
{| class="toccolours" style="margin:0 auto; backgrond:none;"
| style="padding-right:1em;" | <ol>
<li>[[City of London]]</li>
<li>[[City of Westminster]]</li>
<li>[[Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|Kensington and Chelsea]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham|Hammersmith and Fulham]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Wandsworth|Wandsworth]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Lambeth|Lambeth]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Southwark|Southwark]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Islington|Islington]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Camden|Camden]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Brent|Brent]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Ealing|Ealing]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Hounslow|Hounslow]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Richmond upon Thames|Richmond]]</li>
<li>[[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Merton|Merton]]</li>
</ol>
| style="background:#FFF; padding:0 1em;" class="toccolours"| {{London boroughs imagemap}}
| <ol start="18">
<li>[[London Borough of Sutton|Sutton]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Croydon|Croydon]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Bromley|Bromley]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Lewisham|Lewisham]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Greenwich|Greenwich]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Bexley|Bexley]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Havering|Havering]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Barking and Dagenham|Barking and Dagenham]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Redbridge|Redbridge]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Newham|Newham]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Waltham Forest|Waltham Forest]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Haringey|Haringey]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Enfield|Enfield]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Barnet|Barnet]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Harrow|Harrow]]</li>
<li>[[London Borough of Hillingdon|Hillingdon]]</li>
</ol>
|}

== Demography ==
{{main|Demography of London|Religion in London}}
With increasing industrialisation, London's population grew rapidly throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it was the most populated city in the world until overtaken by [[New York City|New York]] in 1925. Its population peaked at 8,615,245 in 1939. There were an estimated 7,512,400 official residents in [[Greater London]] as of mid-2006.<ref name=Greater_London_population /> However, London's continuous [[urban area]] extends beyond the borders of Greater London and was home to 8,278,251 people in 2001,<ref name=urban_area_pop /> while its wider [[metropolitan area]] has a population of between 12 and 14&nbsp;million depending on the definition used.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.demographia.com/dm-lonarea.htm |title=South-east England Population by Area from 1891 |publisher=Demographia|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> According to [[Eurostat]], London is the [[Largest cities and metropolitan areas in the European Union (Eurostat)|most populous city and metropolitan area of the European Union]] and the second [[Largest European cities and metropolitan areas|most populous]] in [[Europe]] (or third if [[Istanbul]] is included).

{| class="infobox" align=right
|-
|-
|1997||''[[Night of the Living Dummy III]]''||Zane||
! Country of Birth || Population (2001)
|-
|-
|1998||''[[The Hairy Bird]]''||Tinka's Date||
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]] ||5,230,155
|-
|-
|1999||''[[The Virgin Suicides (film)|The Virgin Suicides]]''||Joe Hill Conley||
|{{flagicon|India}} [[India]] ||172,162
|-
|-
|2000||''[[Trapped in a Purple Haze]]''||Orin Krieg|| [[Television film]]
|{{flagicon|Bangladesh}} [[Bangladesh]] ||170,500
|-
|-
|2001||''[[Life as a House]]''||Sam Monroe||
|{{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} [[Republic of Ireland]] ||157,285
|-
|-
|2002||''[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones]]''||[[Anakin Skywalker]]||
|{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]] ||120,900
|-
|-
|2003||''[[Shattered Glass]]''||[[Stephen Glass (reporter)|Stephen Glass]]||
|{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]] || 102,300
|-
|-
|2004||''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi]]'' (2004 re-release)||[[Anakin Skywalker#Redemption and Death|Anakin Skywalker {Ghost}]]||replaced original actor (stock footage of head only)
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Jamaica]] ||80,319
|-
|-
|2005||''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]''||[[Anakin Skywalker]]/[[Darth Vader]]||
| {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Nigeria]] ||68,907
|-
|-
|2006||''[[Factory Girl]]''||Billy Quinn (also credited as Musician)||
| {{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Kenya]] ||66,311
|-
|-
|2007|| ''[[Awake (film)|Awake]]''||Clay Beresford, Jr.||
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Brazil]] ||60,000
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|2008||''[[Jumper (film)|Jumper]]''||David Rice||
| {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} [[Sri Lanka]] ||49,932
|-
|-
|''[[Virgin Territory]]''||Lorenzo||
|{{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Ghana]] ||46,513
|-
|-
|''[[Beast of Bataan]]''|| TBA ||''on hold'' (also producer)
| {{flagicon|Cyprus}} [[Cyprus]] ||45,888
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|2009|| ''[[New York, I Love You]]''||Johnny|| ''post-production''
|{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[South Africa]] ||45,506
|-
|-
|''[[Neuromancer]]''||Case||''pre-production''
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States]] ||44,622
|}

==Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
! Year !! Group !! Award !! Result !! Film
|-
|-
|rowspan="2" | 2001 || [[National Board of Review of Motion Pictures|National Board of Review Awards]] ||Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor||style="background: #ddffdd" | Won || [[Life as a House]]
| {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australia]] ||41,488
|-
|-
|Young Hollywood Awards|| One to Watch - Male|| style="background: #ddffdd" | Won ||
| {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Germany]] ||39,818
|-
|-
|rowspan="8" |2002||[[Saturn Awards]]||Cinescape Genre Face of the Future Award||style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated||[[Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones]]
| {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkey]] ||39,128
|-
|-
|[[Cannes Film Festival]]||Chopard Trophy - Male Revelation||style="background: #ddffdd" | Won||
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]] ||38,694
|-
|-
|[[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards]]||Most Promising Performer||style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated ||
| {{flagicon|France}} [[France]] ||38,130
|-
|-
|[[Golden Globe Award]] || [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture]] || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated || rowspan="3"|[[Life as a House]]
| {{flagicon|Somalia}} [[Somalia]] ||33,831
|-
|-
|[[Online Film Critics Society]]||[[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Breakthrough Performance|Best Breakthrough Performance]] || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated
|{{flagicon|Uganda}} [[Uganda]] ||32,082
|-
|-
|[[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]||[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role ]] || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated
| {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[New Zealand]] ||27,494
|-
|-
|rowspan="2" |[[Teen Choice Awards]]|| Film - Choice Actor, Drama/Action Adventure|| style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated|| [[Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones]]
| {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portugal]] ||25,194
|-
|Film - Choice Chemistry||style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated|| [[Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones]]<small> (Shared with:[[Natalie Portman]] )</small>
|-
|2003||[[Saturn Award]]||[[Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor|Best Performance by a Younger Actor]] || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated ||[[Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones]]
|-
|rowspan="2" |2004||[[Las Palmas Film Festival]]||Best Actor||style="background: #ddffdd" | Won || [[Shattered Glass]] <small> (Tied with [[Peter Sarsgaard]] for Shattered Glass)</small>
|-
|[[Satellite Awards]]||[[Satellite Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor - Drama]] ||style="background: #ffdddd" | Nominated || [[Shattered Glass]]
|}
|}
The region covers an area of {{convert|609|sqmi|km2}}. The population density is {{convert|12331|PD/sqmi|km2}}, more than ten times that of any other [[NUTS:UK|British region]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/regional_snapshot/RS_Lon.pdf|title=Population density of London: by London borough, 2006|publisher=UK Statistics Authority|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> In terms of population, London is the 25th [[List of cities by population|largest city]] and the 17th [[List of metropolitan areas by population|largest metropolitan]] region in the world. It is also ranked 4th in the world in number of billionaires (United States Dollars) residing in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/2007/03/07/billionaires-worlds-richest_07billionaires_cz_lk_af_0308billie_land.html|title=Forbes Magazine list of billionaires.|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world, alongside [[Tokyo]] and [[Moscow]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/11/pf/costofliving|title=CNN Money World's Most Expensive Cities 2004.|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref>


==References==
=== Ethnic groups ===
{{main|Ethnic groups in London}}


==External links==
[[Image:Notting Hill Carnival 2002 large.jpg|thumb|left|"[[Notting Hill Carnival]]" in London.]]
{{commons|Hayden Christensen}}
[[Image:London Temple.jpg|thumb|left|The [[BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London|Swaminarayan]] [[Hinduism|Hindu Temple]] in [[Neasden]].]]
*{{imdb name|id=0159789|name=Hayden Christensen}}
According to 2005 estimates,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do;jsessionid=ac1f930bce64d2fda76fff146e6b5f5e6166a231da7.e38PbNqOa3qRe34&nbsp;lb3iNbN8Ra3f0n6jAmljGr5XDqQLvpAe?a=3&b=276743&c=London&d=13&e=13&g=325264&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1203354009145&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1812&bhcp=1|title=Lead View Table|publisher=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> 69.6% of these seven and a half million people are classed as white, of which the indigenous [[White British]] are 58.2%, [[Irish Briton|White Irish]] (2.6%) and "[[White Other (United Kingdom Census)|Other White]]" 8.8%, the majority of whom are other Europeans. 12.9% of people are of [[British Asian|South Asian]] descent, including [[India]]n (mainly [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]], [[Hindi]], [[Tamil people|Tamil]] & [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]]), [[Pakistan]]i, [[Bangladesh]]i ([[Bengali]]) and "Other South Asian" (mostly [[Sri Lankan]] and other [[South Asia|Southern Asian]] ethnicities). 10.8% of people are [[Black British|Black]] (around 5.5% are Black [[Africa]]n, 4.4% as [[British African-Caribbean community|Black Caribbean]], 0.8% as "Other Black"). 3.4% are of [[British Mixed|mixed race]]; 1.4% are [[British Chinese|Chinese]]; and 1.9% of people belong to [[Other ethnic group (United Kingdom Census)|another ethnic group]] (mostly [[Latin American Briton|Latin American]] - an estimated 60,000 [[Brazilian British|Brazilians]] reside in London,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/27/brazilian_london_feature.shtml|title=BBC&nbsp;— London&nbsp;— Faith&nbsp;— Brazilian London|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[British Filipino|Filipino]], [[British Japanese|Japanese]], [[British Korean|Korean]], [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]] and other [[British Oriental|East Asian]]s). 21.8% of inhabitants were born outside the [[European Union]]. The [[Irish people|Irish]] born, from both the [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]], number approximately 250,000 and are the largest group born outside of Britain.
*{{ymovies name|1800421140}}

*{{tvtome person|id=24668|name=Hayden Christensen}}
In January 2005, a survey of London's ethnic and religious diversity claimed that there were more than 300 languages spoken and more than 50 non-indigenous communities which have a population of more than 10,000 in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/jan/21/britishidentity1|title=London: Every race, colour, nation and religion on earth|publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> Figures from the [[Office for National Statistics]] show that, as of 2006, London's foreign-born population is 2,288,000 (31%), up from 1,630,000 in 1997.<ref>{{cite web | title=One Third of Londoners born outside Britain | publisher=Evening Standard / Office for National Statistics | url =http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23374397-details/%27One-third+of+Londoners+born+outside+Britain%27/article.do|publisher= This is London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The 2001 census showed that 27.1% of [[Greater London]]'s population were born outside the UK, and a slightly higher proportion were classed as non-white.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/H-A.asp|title=Census 2001: London|publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]]|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref>
*[http://starsontop.com/starwars/haydeninterview.htm Hayden Christensen Interview], Hayden Christensen talks about his role as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

*[http://www.haydenchristensen.com HaydenChristensen.com - Updated Daily]
The table to the right shows the 'Country of Birth' of London residents in 2001, the date of the last [[UK Census]]. (Top 21).<ref>{{cite web | title=Greater London Authority&nbsp;— Summary of 'Country-of-Birth' in London | publisher=Greater London Authority | url =http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/publications/factsandfigures/dmag-update-2006-09.pdf| accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Note that a portion of the German-born population are likely to be British nationals born to parents serving in the British armed forces in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ippr.org.uk/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=308|title=Beyond Black and White: Mapping new immigrant communities|last=Kyambi|first=Sarah|date=7 September 2005|accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref> As of 2008, 40% of London's total population is from an [[ethnic minority]] group. Across London, [[Black British|Black]] and [[British Asian|Asian]] children outnumber [[White British]] children by about three to two.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1564365/One-fifth-of-children-from-ethnic-minorities.html |title=One fifth of children from ethnic minorities |author=Graeme Paton |date=2007-10-01|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{see also|List of churches and cathedrals of London}}
[[Image:LambethPalacebyLambethBridge.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lambeth Palace]] is the official London residence of the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], leader of the [[Church of England]] and [[Anglican Communion]].]]
Christianity is the most practiced religion in London with 58.2% of all residents currently adhering themselves to it.<ref name=Religion>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/H-A.asp#ethnic|title=Census 2001 profiles: London|publisher=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=2008-08-19}}</ref> This is followed by those of [[Irreligion|no religion]] (15.8%), [[Islam|Muslims]] (8.5%), [[Hinduism|Hindus]] (4.1%), [[Judaism|Jews]] (2.1%), [[Sikhism|Sikhs]] (1.5%), [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] (0.8%) and other (0.5%), though 8.7% of people did not answer this question in the Census.<ref name=Religion/> London has traditionally been dominated by [[Christianity]], and has a [[List of churches in London|large number of churches]], particularly in the City. The well-known [[St Paul's Cathedral]] in the City and [[Southwark Cathedral]] south of the river are [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] administrative centres,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerid=97320F44yHMK9hndcXZBD5sVH4m52Yc0|title=About Saint Paul's Cathedral|publisher=Dean and Chapter St Paul's|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> while the principle bishop of the [[Church of England]] and worldwide [[Anglican Communion]], the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] has his main residence at [[Lambeth Palace]] in the [[London Borough of Lambeth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lambethpalacelibrary.org/|title=Lambeth Palace Library|publisher=Lambeth Palace Library|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Important national and royal ceremonies are shared between St Paul's and [[Westminster Abbey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westminster-abbey.org/|title=Westminster Abbey|publisher=Dean and Chapter of Westminster|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> The Abbey is not to be confused with nearby [[Westminster Cathedral]], which is the largest [[Roman Catholic]] cathedral in [[England and Wales]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/home.html|title=West Minster Cathedral|publisher=Westminster Cathedral|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Religious practice is lower in London than any other part of the UK or Western Europe and is around seven times lower than [[United States|American]] averages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article1362709.ece | title=Thousands of churches face closure in ten years’ | publisher=Times Online | date=2007-02-10 | accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> Despite the prevalence of Anglican churches, observance is very low within the Anglican denomination, although church attendance, particularly at [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] Anglican churches in London, has started to increase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/statistics/|title=Church of England Statistics|publisher=Church of England|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

London is also home to sizeable [[Muslim]], [[Hindu]], [[Sikh]], and [[Jewish]] communities. Many Muslims live in [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]] and [[London Borough of Newham|Newham]]; the most important Muslim edifice is [[London Central Mosque]] on the edge of [[Regent's Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iccuk.org/index.php?article=1&PHPSESSID=rbt2vceqs1bpn9567k0kiv9hu5|title=London Central Mosque Trust Ltd|publisher=London Central Mosque Trust Ltd. & The Islamic Cultural Centre|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> London's large Hindu community is found in the north-western boroughs of [[London Borough of Harrow|Harrow]] and [[London Borough of Brent|Brent]], the latter of which is home to one of Europe's largest [[Hindu temple]]s, [[Neasden Temple]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/19/hindu_london_feature.shtml|title=Hindu London|date=6 June 2005|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref> Sikh communities are located in East and West London, which is also home to the largest Sikh temple in the world, outside [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2898761.stm|title=£17&nbsp;m Sikh temple opens|date=2003-03-30|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The majority of [[British Jews]] live in London, with significant Jewish communities in [[Stamford Hill]], [[Stanmore]], [[Golders Green]], [[Hendon]], and [[Edgware]] in [[North London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2004/08/11/communities_jewish_feature.shtml|title=Jewish Communities in London|date=1 March 2006|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref> [[Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue]] has the largest membership of any single synagogue in the whole of Europe, overtaking [[Ilford]] synagogue (also in London) in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Israel/Partnerships/Regions/Kavimut/Britain+Communities/Stanmore+11.htm|title=Jewish Agency}}</ref> The community set up the [[London Jewish Forum]] in 2007 in response to the growing significance of devolved London Government.<ref>{cite web|url="http://www.ljf.org.uk/London%20Jewish%20Forum/About%20us.html"</ref>

== Economy ==
{{further|[[Economy of the United Kingdom]], [[Economy of London]], and [[Media in London]]}}
[[Image:City of London Skyline from Canary Wharf - Sept 2008.jpg|thumb|right|The [[City of London]] is the world's largest [[International financial centre|financial centre]] alongside [[New York City|New York]].<ref name="London's place in economy">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2CAE66FB-2DD5-41A5-B916-8FFC37276059/0/BC_RS_lpuk_0511_FR.pdf|title=London's place in the UK economy, 2005–06|publisher=City of London|accessdate=2008-03-11}}</ref> It is home to the [[London Stock Exchange]] and [[Lloyds of London]].]]
[[Image:London 501593 fh000027.jpg|right|thumb|[[Piccadilly Circus]] at night]]
[[Image:Cabot Square, Canary Wharf - June 2008.jpg|thumb|The three tallest skyscrapers as of 2008 in [[Canary Wharf]] as viewed from Cabot Square. It is home to such companies as the [[HSBC]] and [[Clifford Chance]].]]

London is a major centre for [[international business]] and commerce and is one of three "command centres" for the [[world economy]] (along with [[New York City]] and [[Tokyo]]).<ref>{{cite book|author=[[Saskia Sassen|Sassen, Saskia]]|title=The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo|year=2001|publisher=Princeton University Press|edition=2nd edition}}</ref> According to 2005 estimates by the [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]] accounting firm, London has the 6th largest city economy in the world after [[Tokyo]], [[New York City]], [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[Chicago]], and [[Paris]].<ref name="London ranked as world's six largest economy">{{cite web|url=http://www.itweek.co.uk/accountancyage/news/2184877/london-ranked-world-six-largest=|title=London ranked as world's six largest economy|publisher=ITWeek|accessdate=2008-08-04}}</ref> As the world's largest international banking centre with a 50% share of all European activity and Europe's second largest city economy after Paris, year-by-year London generates approximately 20% of the UK's [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]<ref name="London's place in economy" /> (or $446&nbsp;billion in 2005); while the economy of the [[London metropolitan area]]&nbsp;— [[List_of_cities_by_GDP#Richest_in_Western_Europe|the second largest in Europe]]&nbsp;— generates approximately 30% of UK's GDP (or an estimated $669&nbsp;billion in 2005).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaurif.org/en/doc/studies/cahiers/cahier_135/pdf/073-85.pdf |title=The Economic Positioning of Metropolitan Areas in North Western Europe date=December 2002|publisher=The Institute for Urban Planning and Development of the Paris Ile-de-France Region|accessdate=2008-08-27}}</ref>

London's success as a [[Tertiary sector of industry|service industry]] and business centre can be attributed to factors such as English being the native and dominant language of business, close relationship with the U.S. and various countries in Asia. Other factors include [[English law]] being the most important and most used [[Contract|contract law]] in international business and the [[Multiculturalism|multi-cultural]] infrastructure.<ref name="London economy becomes more service based">{{cite web|url=http://213.86.34.248/NR/rdonlyres/31A65F7D-B455-4FEE-8BEE-7CDB83FD634A/0/BC_RS_LKPUK0607_FullVersion.pdf|title=London's Place in the UK Economy, 2006–07|date=November 2006|publisher=A report by Oxford Economic Forecasting for the City of London|accessdate=2008-08-27}}</ref> Government policies such as low taxes, particularly for foreigners (non-UK domiciled residents do not get taxed on their foreign earnings), a business friendly environment, good transport infrastructure and a deregulated economy with little intervention by the government have all contributed to London's economy becoming more service based.<ref name="London economy becomes more service based" /> Over 85% (3.2&nbsp;million) of the employed population of Greater London works in service industries. Another half a million employees resident in Greater London work in manufacturing and construction, almost equally divided between both.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/docs/lon_plan_sustainability_Appendix_A.pdf|title=Greater London Authority.|publisher=Greater London Authority|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

London's largest industry remains finance, and its [[financial export]]s make it a large contributor to the UK's [[balance of payments]]. Over 300,000 people are employed in financial services in London. London has over 480 overseas banks, more than any other city in the world. Due to New York's tightening of market regulations, London stock exchanges had approximately 20% more initial public offerings in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/27/business/worldbusiness/27london.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5088&en=a71491dec620088b&ex=1319601600&partner=rssnyt|title=New York Isn’t the World’s Undisputed Financial Capital&nbsp;— New York Times|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> London is home to banks, brokers, insurers and legal and accounting firms. A second, smaller financial district is developing at [[Canary Wharf]] to the east of the city which includes the global headquarters of [[HSBC]], [[Reuters]], [[Barclays plc|Barclays]] and the [[Magic Circle (law)|Magic Circle]], which includes [[Clifford Chance]], the largest law firm in the world. London handled 31% of [[World currency|global currency]] transactions [[As of 2005|in 2005]]—an average daily turnover of US$753&nbsp;billion—with more US dollars traded in London than [[New York]], and more [[euro]]s traded than in every other city in Europe combined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bis.org/publ/rpfx05t.pdf|title=Triennial Central Bank Survey|date=March 2005|publisher=Triennial Central Bank Survey|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/media_centre/keyfacts.htm|title=Key facts|publisher=Corporation of London|accessdate=2006-06-19}}</ref>

More than half of the UK's top 100 listed companies (the [[FTSE 100]]) and over 100 of Europe's 500 largest companies are headquartered in central London. Over 70% of the FTSE 100 are located within London's metropolitan area, and 75% of [[Fortune 500]] companies have offices in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonstockexchange.com/en-gb/|title=London Stock Exchange|date=2008|publisher=London Stock Exchange plc.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Along with [[professional services]], media companies are concentrated in London ''(see [[Media in London]])'' and the media distribution industry is London's second most competitive sector (after central banking, the most competitive sector).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2CAE66FB-2DD5-41A5-B916-8FFC37276059/0/BC_RS_lpuk_0511_FR.pdf|title=London's Place in the UK Economy, 2005–6|date=November 2005|publisher=''Oxford Economic Forecasting'' on behalf of the Corporation of London|pages=19|accessdate=2006-06-19}}</ref> The [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] is a key employer, while other broadcasters also have headquarters around the city. Many [[List of newspapers in the United Kingdom|national newspapers]] are edited in London, having traditionally been associated with [[Fleet Street]] in the city; they are now primarily based around [[Canary Wharf]].

[[Tourism in London|Tourism]] is one of London's prime industries and employs the equivalent of 350,000 full-time workers in London in 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2005/02/15/27958/london-is-the-hr-centre-of-opportunity-in-the-uk.html|title=London is the HR centre of opportunity in the UK|date=15 February 2005|publisher=PersonnelToday.com|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref> while annual expenditure by tourists is around £15&nbsp;billion.<ref>"{{cite web |url=http://www.visitlondon.com/uploads/8551importanceoflondon_2004jun.pdf |title= The Importance of Tourism in London |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070628053808/http://www.visitlondon.com/uploads/8551importanceoflondon_2004jun.pdf |archivedate=2007-06-28}}", Visit London. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> London is the world's most popular city for international visitors.<ref name="London 101">"{{PDFlink|{{cite web |url=http://corporate.visitlondon.com/ems/downloads/8112london101.pdf |title= London 101: One Hundred and One Amazing Facts About London |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070628053808/http://corporate.visitlondon.com/ems/downloads/8112london101.pdf |archivedate=2007-06-28}}|1.15&nbsp;[[Mebibyte|MiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 1207545 bytes -->}}", Visit London. Retrieved on [[2006-06-03]].</ref> A study carried out by Euromonitor in October 2007 places London at first place out of 150 of the world's most popular cities, attracting 15.6 million international tourists in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euromonitor.com/Top_150_City_Destinations_London_Leads_the_Way|title=Top 150 City Destinations: London Leads the Way|last=Bremner|first=Caroline|date=October 11, 2007|publisher=Euro Monitor|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> This puts London far ahead of 2nd place [[Bangkok]] (10.35 million) and 3rd place [[Paris]] (just 9.7 million). London attracts 27&nbsp;million overnight-stay visitors every year.<ref name="London 101" /> Formerly the largest port in the world, the [[Port of London]] is currently the third-largest in the United Kingdom, handling 50&nbsp;million [[tonne]]s of cargo each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/pdfs/ls/ARA_-_Trade_Statistics.pdf|title=Trade Statistics|publisher=Port of London Authority, Annual Report and Accounts 2005|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref>

== Cityscape ==
{{wide image|London 360 from St Paul's Cathedral - Sept 2007.jpg|800px|<center>A panoramic view of modern London, as seen from the Golden Gallery of [[St Paul's Cathedral|Saint Paul’s Cathedral]]</center>}}
=== Architecture ===
{{seealso|Architecture in London|List of tallest structures in London}}
[[Image:London Eye Twilight April 2006.jpg|thumb|right|The [[London Eye]]]]
[[Image:London Thames Sunset panorama - Feb 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Sunset over the [[River Thames]] towards [[Tower Bridge]].]]
[[Image:CityOfLondonSkyline.jpg|thumb|right|The skyline of the [[City of London]] in 2008.]]
[[Image:Cathédrale St-Paul - entrée principale.jpg|thumb|[[St. Paul's Cathedral]]]]
[[Image:Canary.wharf.and.dome.london.arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[The O2|The O<sub>2</sub>]], one of the largest dome structures in the world.]]
London is too diverse to be characterised by any particular [[architectural]] style, having accumulated its buildings over a long period of time and drawn on a wide range of influences. It is, however, mainly [[brick]] built, most commonly the yellow [[London stock brick]] or a warm orange-red variety, often decorated with carvings and white plaster [[molding (decorative)|mouldings]].{{Fact|date=September 2008}} Many grand houses and public buildings (such as the [[National Gallery, London|National Gallery]]) are constructed from [[Portland stone]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/798/National_Gallery.php|title=National Gallery: Trafalgar Square|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Some areas of the city, particularly those just west of the centre, are characterised by white [[stucco]] or whitewashed buildings. Few structures pre-date the [[Great Fire of London|Great Fire]] of 1666, except for a few trace [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] remains, the [[Tower of London]] and a few scattered [[Tudor style architecture|Tudor]] survivors in the City. Most buildings in London date from the [[Edwardian]] or [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] periods.<ref name="London Architecture">{{cite web|url=http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/London:+architecture|title=London: architecture.|publisher: Farlex Encyclopedia|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The disused (but soon to be rejuvenated) 1939 [[Battersea Power Station]] by the river in the south-west is a local landmark,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/1698/Battersea_Power_Station.php|title=Battersea Power Station|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> while some railway termini are excellent examples of Victorian architecture, most notably [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras]] and [[Paddington railway station|Paddington]] (at least internally).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Paddington_Station.html|title=Paddington Station.|publisher=Great Buildings|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

The density of London varies, with high employment density in the [[Central London|central area]], high residential densities in [[inner London]] and lower densities in the [[Outer London|suburbs]]. In the dense areas, most of the concentration is achieved with medium- and [[high-rise]] buildings. London's skyscrapers such as the notable [[30 St Mary Axe|"Gherkin"]], [[Tower 42]], the [[Broadgate Tower]] and [[One Canada Square]] are usually found in the two financial districts, the [[City of London]] and [[Canary Wharf]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/731/30_St._Mary_Axe.php|title=30 Saint Mary Axe|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/837/Tower_42.php|title=Tower 42 - London Architecture|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/282/1_Canada_Square.php|title=1 Canada Square|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> Other notable modern buildings include [[City Hall (London)|City Hall]] in [[Southwark]] with its distinctive oval shape,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2129199.stm|title=Inside London's new 'glass egg'|date=Tuesday, 16 July 2002|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> the [[British Library]] in [[Somers Town, London|Somers Town]]/[[Kings Cross, London|Kings Cross]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/276/British_Library__The.php|title=The British Library|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> and the Great Court of the [[British Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/275/British_Museum__The.php|title=The British Museum|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> What was formerly the [[Millennium Dome]], located by the Thames to the east of Canary Wharf, is now used as an entertainment venue known as The O<sub>2</sub>.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/285/Millennium_Dome.php|title=Millennium Dome|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref>

The development of [[Tall buildings in London|tall buildings]] has been encouraged in the [[London Plan]], which will lead to the erection of [[Tall_buildings_in_London#Tallest_under_construction.2C_approved_and_proposed|many new skyscrapers]] over the next decade, particularly in the City of London and Canary Wharf. The 72-storey, {{convert|1017|ft|m}} "[[Shard London Bridge]]" by [[London Bridge station]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shardlondonbridge.com/vertical_city/the_building.php|title=Shard London Bridge&nbsp;— Official Website|publisher=Shard London Bridge|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> the {{convert|945|ft|m}} [[Bishopsgate Tower]] and many other skyscrapers over {{convert|500|ft|m}} are either proposed or approved and could transform the city's skyline. As of July 2008, there are 426 high-rise buildings under construction, approved for construction, and proposed for construction in London.

A great many monuments pay homage to people and events in the city. [[The Monument]] in the City of London provides views of the surrounding area while commemorating the [[Great Fire of London]], which originated nearby.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/286/Monument__The.php|title=The Monument: Cannon Street|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[Marble Arch]] and [[Wellington Arch]], at the north and south ends of [[Park Lane (road)|Park Lane]] respectively, have royal connections, as do the [[Albert Memorial]] and [[Royal Albert Hall]] in [[Kensington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/290/Royal_Albert_Hall.php|title=Royal Albert Hall: Kensington Gore|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> [[Nelson's Column]] is a nationally-recognised monument in [[Trafalgar Square]], one of the focal points of the centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/800/Nelson's_Column.php|title=Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square|date=2008|publisher=Artefaqs Corporation.|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref>

=== Parks and gardens ===
{{main|Parks and open spaces in London|Royal Parks of London}}

The largest parks in the central area of London are the [[Royal Parks of London|Royal Parks]] of [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] and its neighbour [[Kensington Gardens]] at the western edge of [[central London]] and [[Regent's Park]] on the northern edge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/|title=Kensington Gardens|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> This park contains [[London Zoo]], the world's oldest scientific zoo, and is located near the tourist attraction of [[Madame Tussauds]] Wax Museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madametussauds.com/London/About.aspx|title=Madame Tussauds&nbsp;— Official Website|publisher=Madame Tussauds|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/madame-tussauds.htm|title=Madame Tussauds&nbsp;— Tourist Information|publisher=Tourist Information UK|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> Closer to central London are the smaller Royal Parks of [[Green Park]] and [[St. James's Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/green_park/|title=Green Park|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> Hyde Park in particular is popular for [[London#Sports|sports]] and sometimes hosts open-air concerts.

A number of large parks lie outside the city centre, including the remaining Royal Parks of [[Greenwich Park]] to the south-east<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/greenwich_park/|title=Greenwich Park|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> and [[Bushy Park]] and [[Richmond Park]] to the south-west,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/bushy_park/|title=Bushy Park|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond_park/|title=Richmond Park|date=2008|publisher=The Royal Parks|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> as well as [[Victoria Park, East London]] to the east. [[Primrose Hill]] to the north of Regent's Park is a popular spot to view the city skyline. Some more informal, semi-natural open spaces also exist, including the {{convert|791|acre|km²|1|sing=on}} [[Hampstead Heath]] of [[North London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/living_environment/open_spaces/|title=Hampstead Heath&nbsp;— City Of London|date=24 April 2008|publisher=David Bentley|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref> This incorporates [[Kenwood House]], the former [[stately home]] and a popular location in the summer months where classical musical concerts are held by the lake, attracting thousands of people every weekend to enjoy the music, scenery and fireworks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.00100200800k00800f|title=Kenwood House |publisher=English Heritage|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref>
{{wide image|Greenwich pano.jpg|800px|<center>A panoramic view of East London, as seen from the [[Greenwich Observatory]]</center>}}

== Society and culture ==
=== Accent ===
Traditionally the London accent has been given the famous [[Cockney]] label, and was similar to many accents of the South East of England, developing a unique form of slang known as Cockney Rhyming Slang. The accent of a 21st century Londoner varies widely; what is becoming more and more common amongst the under 30s however is some fusion of Cockney, Received Pronunciation, and a whole array of 'ethnic' accents, in particular Caribbean, which form an accent labelled [[Multicultural London English]], with a large amount of slang in use as well.<ref name="MCLE">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/jafaican-and-tikkiny-drown-out-the-east-ends-cockney-twang-473688.html|title=Jafaican and Tikkiny drown out the East End's Cockney twang|last=Brown|first=Jonathan|date=2006-04-11|work=The Independent|accessdate=2008-08-22}}</ref>

=== Leisure and entertainment ===
[[Image:New Bond Street 2 db.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Bond Street]], one of [[Mayfair]]'s main shopping streets.]]
Within the City of Westminster, the entertainment district of the [[West End of London|West End]] has its focus around [[Leicester Square]], where London and world film [[premieres]] are held, and [[Piccadilly Circus]], with its giant electronic advertisements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travellondon.com/templates/attractions/gallery_piccadillycircus.html|title=Piccadilly Circus|publisher=Travel London|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref> London's [[Theatreland|theatre]] district is here, as are many cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants, including the city's [[Chinatown, London|Chinatown]] district, and just to the east is [[Covent Garden]], an area housing [[specialty shop|speciality shops]]. The United Kingdom's [[Royal Ballet]] and the [[English National Ballet]] are based in London and perform at the [[Royal Opera House]], the Coliseum, [[Sadler's Wells Theatre]] and the [[Royal Albert Hall]].<ref name="London's Concerts">{{cite web|url=http://www.yourlondon.gov.uk/visiting/topic.jsp?topicid=6482&search_title=Theatres+and+concert+halls|title=Theatres and concert halls.|publisher=Your London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[Islington]]'s {{convert|1|mi|km}} long Upper Street, extending northwards from [[Angel, Islington|The Angel]], has more bars and restaurants than any other street in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|title =2001: Public houses|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/local_history/city/street_03.shtml?publichouses|accessdate=2008-06-04 }}</ref> Europe's busiest shopping area is [[Oxford Street]], a shopping street nearly {{convert|1|mi|km}} long—which makes it the longest shopping street in the world—and home to many shops and department stores including [[Selfridges]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.london.gov.uk/londoner/06sep/p7a.jsp| publisher=[[The Londoner]]| title=Oxford Street gets its own dedicated local police team| date=September 2006| accessdate=2007-06-19}}</ref>[[Knightsbridge]]—home to the [[Harrods]] [[department store]]—lies just to the southwest. London is home to designers [[Vivienne Westwood]], [[John Galliano|Galliano]], [[Stella McCartney]], [[Manolo Blahnik]], and [[Jimmy Choo]] among others; its renowned art and fashion schools make it an international centre of fashion alongside Paris, Milan and New York.

[[Image:Troopingthecolour.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Trooping the Colour]] held in 2006 to mark the Queen's 80th birthday. It is held every year as a military parade performed by regiments of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] and the [[British Army]].]]
London offers a great variety of cuisine as a result of its ethnically diverse population. Gastronomic centres include the Bangladeshi restaurants of [[Brick Lane]] and the Chinese food restaurants of [[Chinatown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinatownlondon.org/|title=Chinatown&nbsp;— Official Website|publisher=Chinatown London|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> There are a variety of regular [[List of annual events in London|annual events]]. The beginning of the year is celebrated with the relatively new [[New Year's Day Parade]], while traditional parades include November's [[Lord Mayor's Show]], a centuries-old event celebrating the annual appointment of a new [[Lord Mayor of the City of London]] with a procession along the streets of the City, and June's [[Trooping the Colour]], a very formal military pageant to celebrate the [[Queen's Official Birthday]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4820.asp|title=One Queen, Two Birthdays|publisher=Royal Government|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref>

=== Literature and film ===
{{see also|London in fiction|London in film|List of films set in London|List of television shows set in London}}
[[Image:Charles Dickens - Project Gutenberg eText 13103.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Charles Dickens]] (1812–1870), whose works formed a pervasive image of [[Victorian era|Victorian]] London.]]

London has been the setting for many works of literature. Two writers closely associated with the city are the diarist [[Samuel Pepys]], noted for his eyewitness account of the [[Great Fire of London|Great Fire]], and [[Charles Dickens]], whose representation of a foggy, snowy, grimy London of street sweepers and pickpockets has been a major influence on people's vision of early [[Victorian era|Victorian]] London.<ref name="London in Literature">{{cite web|url=http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/speccoll/guides/london/londoninliterature.shtml|title=London in Literature.|publisher=Bryn Mawr College|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The earlier (1722) ''[[A Journal of the Plague Year]]'' by [[Daniel Defoe]] is a fictionalisation of the events of the 1665 [[Great Plague of London|Great Plague]].<ref name="London in Literature" /> [[William Shakespeare]] spent a large part of his life living and working in London; his contemporary [[Ben Jonson]] was also based in London, and some of his work — most notably his play [[The Alchemist (play)|''The Alchemist'']] — was set in the city.<ref name="London in Literature" /> Later important depictions of London from the 19th and early 20th centuries are the afore-mentioned Dickens novels, and [[Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s illustrious [[Sherlock Holmes]] stories.<ref name="London in Literature" /> A modern writer pervasively influenced by the city is [[Peter Ackroyd]], in works such as ''London: The Biography'', ''The Lambs of London'' and ''Hawksmoor''.

London has played a significant role in the film industry, and has major studios at [[Pinewood Studios|Pinewood]], [[Ealing Studios|Ealing]], [[Shepperton Studios|Shepperton]], [[Elstree Studios|Elstree]] and [[Leavesden Film Studios|Leavesden]], as well as an important [[special effect]]s and post-production community centred in [[Soho]] in [[central London]]. [[Working Title Films]] has its headquarters in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/|title=Working Title Films|publisher=Universal Studios|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> The city also hosts a number of [[performing arts]] schools, including the [[Central School of Speech and Drama]] (alumni: [[Judi Dench]] and [[Laurence Olivier]]) and the [[London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]] (alumni: [[Jim Broadbent]]). The [[London Film Festival]] is held each year in October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/lff//|title=The Times BFI|publisher=The Times BFI|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

=== Music ===
[[Image:Alberthallrooftop.jpg|thumb|The [[Royal Albert Hall]] hosts a wide range of concerts and musical events.]]

London is one of the major classical and popular music capitals of the world and is home to major music corporations, such as [[EMI]] and [[Decca Records]], as well as countless bands, musicians and industry professionals. London is home to many orchestras and concert halls such as the [[Barbican Arts Centre]] (principal base of the [[London Symphony Orchestra]]), [[Cadogan Hall]] ([[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]]) and the [[Royal Albert Hall]] ([[BBC Promenade Concerts]]).<ref name="London's Concerts" /> London's two main opera houses are the [[Royal Opera House]] and the [[Coliseum Theatre]].<ref name="London's Concerts" /> London has numerous renowned venues for rock and pop concerts, including large arenas such as [[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earls Court]], [[Wembley Arena]] and the [[O2 Arena]], as well as numerous mid-size venues, such as [[Brixton Academy]], [[Hammersmith Apollo]] and The [[London Astoria]].<ref name="London's Concerts" />

London is home to the first and original [[Hard Rock Cafe]] and the illustrious [[Abbey Road Studios]] where [[The Beatles]] created many of their hits. Musicians such as [[Bob Marley]], [[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Freddie Mercury]] have lived in London. A large number of musical artists originate from or are most strongly associated with London, including [[David Bowie]], [[Ian Dury]], [[The Kinks]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[The Who]], [[Madness (band)|Madness]], [[The Jam]], [[Blur]], [[Iron Maiden]], [[Elvis Costello]], [[The Yardbirds]] and [[The Small Faces]].<ref name="Top40">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2006/04/06/garycrowley_londontop40_feature.shtml|title=London's top 40 artists|date=2006-04-06|publisher=BBC London|accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title = The Virgin Illustrated Encyclopedia of Pop & Rock|isbn=1852279877|author = |year = 2002|publisher = Virgin|location = London|oclc = 59468133}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first = John|last = Rockwell|title = Elvis Costello Makes Local Rock Debut|url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10C11FA3B59137289DDAC0994DA415B878BF1D3|format = fee required|work = The New York Times|publisher = The New York Times Company|location = New York, USA|page = C21|date = 15 December 1977}}
</ref> London was instrumental in the development of [[punk music]], with figures such as the [[Sex Pistols]], [[The Clash]],<ref name="Top40"/> and [[Vivienne Westwood]] all based in the city. Some of the most popular of these festivals include the [[02 Wireless Festival]] and [[Latitude Festival]] (held in July).<ref name="London's Event Listings">{{cite web|url=http://www.spoonfed.co.uk|title=London Event Listings.}}</ref> The largest entertainment venture of all time, [[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]], a musical by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], premiered at [[Her Majesty's Theatre]].

=== Sport ===
{{main|Sport in London}}
{{imagestack|
[[Image:Wembley Stadium closeup.jpg|thumb|right|[[Wembley Stadium]] is home to [[English football]] and is the most expensive stadium in the world.<ref name="Daily Mail&nbsp;— stadium ready">{{cite news | date=[[2007-03-09]] | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=441182 | title=Wembley kick-off: Stadium is ready and England play first game in fortnight | work=[[Daily Mail]] | accessdate=2007-03-19}}</ref>]]
[[Image:Wimbledon Grojean 2004 RJL.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Wimbledon Championships]], a [[tennis]] [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] tournament.]]}}
London has hosted the [[Summer Olympic Games|Summer Olympics]] twice, in [[1908 Summer Olympics|1908]] and [[1948 Summer Olympics|1948]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0114404.html|title=Info Please - 1908 Summer Olympics|publisher=Pearson Education, Inc|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0114549.html|title=Info Please - 1948 Summer Olympics|publisher=Pearson Education, Inc|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> In July 2005 London was chosen to host the Games in [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012]], which will make it the first city in the world to host the Summer Olympics three times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/media_centre/press_release_uk.asp?id=1410|title=IOC elects London as the Host City of the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012|date=6 July 2005|publisher=[[International Olympic Committee]]|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref> London was also the host of the [[Commonwealth Games|British Empire Games]] in [[1934 British Empire Games|1934]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/cwn-beg.html|title=British Empire Games Website|publisher=All Starts Flag|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

London's most popular sport (for both participants and spectators) is [[football (soccer)|football]]. London has thirteen [[The Football League|League]] football clubs, including five in the [[Premier League]]: [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/ContactUs/Postings/2004/03/premier_league_contacts.htm|title=TheFA.com&nbsp;— Premier League|date=17 January 2004|publisher=The FA.com|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> London also has four [[rugby union]] teams in the [[Guinness Premiership]] ([[London Irish]], [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]], [[London Wasps|Wasps]] and [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]]), although only the Harlequins play in London (all the other three now play outside Greater London).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/10818_437.php|title=Guinness Premiership: Clubs|date=Premier Rugby|publisher=Guinness Premiership|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> There are two professional [[rugby league]] clubs in London - [[Harlequins Rugby League]] who play in the [[Super League (Europe)|Super League]] at the Stoop and the National League 2 side the [[London Skolars]] (based in [[Haringey]]).

Since 1924, the original [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] was the home of the [[England national football team|English national football team]], and served as the venue for the [[FA Cup]] [[FA Cup Final|final]] as well as [[rugby league]]'s [[Rugby League Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]] final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wembleystadium.com/GloriousPast/greatmoments/1steverwembleyFACupFinal.htm|title=Wembley Stadium History&nbsp;— Official Website|publisher=Wembley National Stadium Limited.|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> The new [[Wembley Stadium]] serves exactly the same purposes and has a capacity of 90,000.<ref name="Wembley Stadium Facts and Figures">{{cite web | url=http://www.wembleystadium.com/pressbox/presspack/factsandFigures.htm | title=Wembley Stadium&nbsp;— Presspack&nbsp;— Facts and Figures | publisher=Wembley National Stadium Limited | accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[Twickenham Stadium]] in west London is the national [[rugby union]] stadium, and has a capacity of 84,000 now that the new south stand has been completed.<ref name="musiccap">{{cite web | publisher=The Twickenham Rugby Stadium| title=RFU apply for two additional concerts at Twickenham Stadium in 2007|url=http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/index.cfm?StoryID=14822| accessdate= 2008-06-06}}</ref>

[[Cricket]] in London centres on its two [[Test cricket]] grounds at [[Lord's Cricket Ground|Lord's]] (home of [[Middlesex County Cricket Club|Middlesex C.C.C]]) in [[St John's Wood]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lords.org/lords-ground/about-lords/|title=About Lord's Cricket Grounds&nbsp;— Official Website|date=2008|publisher=MCC |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> and [[The Oval]] (home of [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey C.C.C]]) in [[Kennington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surreycricket.com/the-brit-oval|title=The Brit Oval&nbsp;— Official Website|date=2008|publisher=Surrey CCC|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> One of London's best-known annual sports competitions is the [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon Tennis Championships]], held at the [[All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club|All England Club]] in the south-western suburb of [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/index.html|title=Wimbledon&nbsp;— Official Website|publisher=AELTC|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> Other key events are the annual mass-participation [[London Marathon]] which sees some 35,000 runners attempt a {{convert|26.2|mi|km}} course around the city,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/site/|title=Flora London Marathon 2008|publisher=London Marathon ltd|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> and the [[Oxford University|Oxford]] [[oxbridge rivalry|''vs.'']] [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] [[The Boat Race|Boat Race]] on the [[River Thames]] between [[Putney]] and [[Mortlake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theboatrace.org/|title=The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race&nbsp;— Official Website|publisher=The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref>

== Transport ==
{{main|Transport in London|Walking in London|Cycling in London}}
Transport is one of the four areas of policy administered by the Mayor of London,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/|title=Transport for London|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> however the mayor's financial control is limited and he does not control the heavy rail network, although in November 2007 he assumed responsibility for the [[North London Railway]] as well as several other lines, to form [[London Overground]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/networkandservices/5011.aspx|title=London Overground | Transport for London|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> The [[public transport]] network, administered by [[Transport for London]] (TfL), is one of the most extensive in the world, but faces congestion and reliability issues, which a large investment programme is attempting to address, including £7&nbsp;billion (€10&nbsp;billion) of improvements planned for the [[2012 Summer Olympics|Olympics]].<ref name="Olympic Infrastructure">{{cite web|url=http://www.alarm-uk.org/pdf/Janet%20Goodland.pdf|title=London 2012 Olympic Transport Infrastructure.|publisher=Alarm UK|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> London has been commended as the city with the best public transport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/5294790.stm |publisher=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=2008-06-07 |title=London voted best for transport |date=2006-08-29}}</ref> [[Cycling in London|Cycling]] is an increasingly popular way to get around London. The [[London Cycling Campaign]] lobbies for better provision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcc.org.uk/|title=London Cycling Campaign|date=20 November 2006|publisher=Rosanna Downes|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

=== Railways ===
[[Image:westminster.tube.station.jubilee.arp.jpg|thumb|right|The [[London Underground]] is the oldest, longest, and most expansive [[rapid transit|metro]] system in the world, dating from 1863.<ref name="Metro"/><ref name="Metro1">{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/nov/21/transport.china |title=Beijing plans to overtake London with world's longest subway |publisher=Guardian Unlimited|accessdate=2007-12-14}}</ref>]]

The centrepiece of the public transport network is the [[London Underground]]—commonly referred to as The Tube—which has eleven interconnecting lines. It is the oldest, longest, and most expansive [[rapid transit|metro]] system in the world, dating from 1863.<ref name="Metro"/><ref name="Metro1"/> The system was home to the world's first underground electric line, the [[City & South London Railway]], which began service in 1890.<ref name="UrbanRail">{{cite web|url=http://de.geocities.com/u_london/london.htm|title=London Underground|last=Schwandl|first=Robert|date=2001|publisher=UrbanRail.net|accessdate=2006-09-24}}</ref> Over three million journeys a day are made on the Underground network, nearly 1&nbsp;billion journeys each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetravelinsider.info/britain/londonundergroundtravelinfo.htm|title=How to Best Use the London Underground|date=4 July 2004 (last updated: 8 May 2006)|publisher=The Travel Insider|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref> The Underground serves the central area and most suburbs to the north of the Thames, while those to the south are served by an extensive [[Regional rail|suburban rail]] surface network.

The [[Docklands Light Railway]] is a second metro system using smaller and lighter trains, which opened in 1987, serving [[East London, England|East London]] and Greenwich on both sides of the [[River Thames|Thames]]. Commuter and intercity railways generally do not cross the city, instead running into [[London railway station|fourteen terminal stations]] scattered around its historic centre; the exception is the [[Thameslink]] route operated by [[First Capital Connect]], with terminus stations at [[Bedford]], [[Brighton]] and [[Moorgate station|Moorgate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/Main.php?sEvent=HomePage|title=First Capital Connect|publisher=First Capital Connect ltd|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Since the early 1990s, increasing pressures on the commuter rail and Underground networks have led to increasing demands—particularly from businesses and the [[City of London Corporation]]—for [[Crossrail]]: a £10&nbsp;billion east–west heavy rail connection under central London, which was given the green light in early October 2007.<ref name="Olympic Infrastructure" />

High-speed [[Eurostar]] trains link [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras International]] with [[Lille]] and [[Paris]] in [[France]], and [[Brussels]] in [[Belgium]]. Journey times to Paris and Brussels of 2h 15 and 1h 51 respectively make London closer to continental Europe than the rest of Britain by virtue of the newly completed [[High Speed 1]] rail link to the [[Channel Tunnel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp;ERSPRDSession=LJqZB7nyKlW9lVLvZzK534LvMjL519fPDS4R0QGn51CprylVmjH8!685848002|title=Eurostar|publisher=Eurostar|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> From 2009 this line will also allow for high speed domestic travel from Kent into London. The redevelopment of St. Pancras was key to London's Olympic bid, as the station also serves two international airports through Thameslink, and will also provide direct rail links to the Olympic site at [[Stratford, London|Stratford]] using [[British Rail Class 395]] trains running under the ''[[Olympic Javelin]]'' name; these will be based on Japanese [[Shinkansen]] high-speed trains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stpancras.com/about-stpancras/|title=About St Pancras International Train Station|publisher=saint Pancras International Train Station|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

=== Buses ===
[[Image:Wiki enviro 400 metroline.png|thumb|right|The modern [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400|Enviro400]] [[double-decker]] bus operating services on route 24.]]
London's [[Buses in London|bus network]] is one of the biggest in the world, running 24&nbsp;hours, with 8,000 buses, 700 bus routes, and over 6&nbsp;million passenger journeys made every weekday. In 2003, the network's ridership was estimated at over 1.5&nbsp;billion passenger trips per annum which is more than the Underground.<ref>{{cite web |author=[[Transport for London]] |title=London Buses |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/1548.aspx |publisher=[[Transport for London]] |accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> Around £850&nbsp;m is taken in revenue each year and London has the largest wheelchair accessible network in the world and, from the 3rd quarter of 2007, became more accessible to hearing and visually impaired passengers as audio-visual announcements were introduced. The buses are internationally recognised, and are a trademark of London transport along with [[Hackney carriage|black cabs]] and the Tube.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonblackcabs.co.uk/|title=London Black Cabs|publisher=London Black Cabs|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2625.aspx|title=Tube&nbsp;— Transport for London|publisher=[[Transport for London]]|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>[[easyBus]] operates a low cost airport transfer service between London and London Stansted, London Luton and Gatwick Airport.

=== Air ===
[[Image:London Heathrow T5 AB1.JPG|thumb|right|[[Heathrow Terminal 5|Terminal 5]]. [[Heathrow Airport]] is the world's busiest airport by [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|international passenger traffic]].]]
London is a major international air transport hub. Eight airports use the words ''London Airport'' in their name, but most traffic passes through one of five major airports. [[London Heathrow Airport]] is the [[World's busiest airport|busiest airport]] in the world for international traffic, and is the major hub of the nation's flag carrier, [[British Airways]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/|title=BAA Heathrow: Official Website|publisher=BAA|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> In March 2008 its fifth terminal was opened,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heathrow-airport-uk.info/heathrow-airport-terminal-5.htm|title=Heathrow Airport Terminal 5|publisher=TMC Ltd|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> and plans are already being considered for a sixth terminal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/site/heathrow/menuitem.2ea84de4d9bc8a0ca4b12871120103a0/%3bjsessionid=DNAfOXj7g3r3fk1j9NlWANpydf0hhlQvi8LcmzuRluuyU0u2FTlo!-949195938|title=About Heathrow|publisher=BAA Heathrow|accessdate=2006-09-17}}</ref> Similar traffic, with the addition of some [[Low-cost carrier|low-cost]] [[short-haul]] flights, is also handled at [[London Gatwick Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatwickairport.com/|title=BAA Gatwick: Gatwick Airport|publisher=BAA|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[London Stansted Airport]] and [[London Luton Airport]] cater mostly for low-cost short-haul flights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stanstedairport.com/|title=BAA Stansted : Stansted Airport|date=2008|publisher=BAA|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/|title=London Luton Airport|publisher=London Luton Airport|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> [[London City Airport]], the smallest and most central airport, is focused on business travellers, with a mixture of full service short-haul scheduled flights and considerable [[business jet]] traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londoncityairport.com/Default.aspx|title=London City Airport&nbsp;— Corporate Information|publisher=London City Airport Ltd.|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

=== Roads ===
[[Image:015455 d19601dd.jpg|thumb|right|The [[M25 motorway|M25]] London orbital, the M25 is the biggest circular of the world.]]

M25 is a Circular Ring that goes around London; it's also the largest circular motorway of the world. Although the majority of journeys involving [[central London]] are made by public transport, travel in outer London is car-dominated. The [[London Inner Ring Road|inner ring road]] (around the city centre), the [[A406 road|North]] and [[A205 road|South Circular]] roads (in the suburbs), and the outer orbital [[motorway]] (the [[M25 motorway|M25]], outside the built-up area) encircle the city and are intersected by a number of busy radial routes—but very few motorways penetrate into [[inner London]]. A plan for a comprehensive network of motorways throughout the city (the [[London Ringways|Ringways Plan]]) was prepared in the 1960s but was mostly cancelled in the early 1970s. In 2003, a [[London congestion charge|congestion charge]] was introduced to reduce traffic volumes in the city centre. With a few exceptions, motorists are required to pay £8 per day to drive within a defined zone encompassing much of congested central London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncharge/whereandwhen/|title=Charging Zone | Transport for London | Where and when|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/6741.aspx|title=Who pays what | Transport for London|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> Motorists who are residents of the defined zone can buy a vastly reduced season pass which is renewed monthly and is cheaper than a corresponding bus fare.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/6735.aspx|title=Residents | Transport for London|publisher=Transport for London|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref>

== Education ==
{{main|Education in London}}
[[Image:RoyalHolloway FrontEntrance.jpg|thumb|right|[[Royal Holloway, University of London|Royal Holloway]], as a part of the [[University of London]], a federation of London higher education institutions.]]
[[Image:Senate House UoL.jpg|thumb|right|[[Senate House (University of London)|Senate House]], the headquarters of the federal [[University of London]].]]
Home to a range of universities, colleges and schools, London has a student population of about 378,000 and is a centre of [[research and development]]. Most primary and secondary schools in London follow the [[Education in England|same system as the rest of England]] - comprehensive schooling.

With 125,000 students, the [[University of London]] is the largest contact teaching university in the United Kingdom and in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.ac.uk/aboutus|title=About the University|date=2006-02-20|publisher=University of London|accessdate=2006-06-03}}</ref> It comprises 20 colleges as well as several smaller institutes, each with a high degree of autonomy. Constituent colleges have their own [[University and college admissions|admissions]] procedures, and are effectively universities in their own right, although most degrees are awarded by the University of London rather than the individual colleges. Its constituents include multi-disciplinary colleges such as [[University College London|UCL]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/rights/jurisdiction/|title=UCL&nbsp;— Jurisdiction over Students|date=7 November 2005|publisher=University College London|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> [[King's College London|King's]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/humanities/depts/english/events/queerdis.html|title=Queer discipline Spring 2008|date=21 January 2008|publisher=King's College London|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> [[Royal Holloway, University of London|Royal Holloway]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/undergraduate/holloway/history/academic.shtml|title=Academic leadership&nbsp;— Royal Holloway|date=31 October 2007|publisher=London External|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> and more specialised institutions such as the [[London School of Economics]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lse.ac.uk/|title=London School of Economics and Political Science|publisher=[[London School of Economics]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> [[School of Oriental and African Studies|SOAS]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soas.ac.uk/|title=The School of Oriental and African Studies|publisher=[[School of Oriental and African Studies]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> the [[Royal Academy of Music]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/reports/subjectlevel/q94_95_textonly.htm|title= Quality Assessment Report by the HEFCE for the Royal Academy of Music|publisher=[[Royal Academy of Music]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> the [[Courtauld Institute of Art]] and the [[Institute of Education]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ioewebserver.ioe.ac.uk/ioe/index.html|title=Institute of Education&nbsp;— University of London|publisher=[[Institute of Education]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref>

[[Imperial College London]] and [[University College London]] have been ranked among the top ten universities in the world by [[The Times Higher Education Supplement]]: in 2008 [[Imperial College London|Imperial]] was ranked the 6th best and [[University College London|UCL]] the 7th best university in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article4910798.ece|title=Why University top 200 in full|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=2008-09-10}}</ref>

In addition, the [[London School of Economics|LSE]] is the world‘s leading social science institution for teaching and research, plus has the most international student body of any university in the world today.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/sunday_times_university_guide/article2496158.ece |title=The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2007 - Profile for London School of Economics|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

London's other universities, such as [[Brunel University]], [[City University, London|City University]], [[London Metropolitan University]], [[Middlesex University]], [[University of East London]], [[University of the Arts London]], [[University of Westminster]], [[Kingston University]] and [[London South Bank University]] are not part of the University of London but are still leaders in their field and popular choices among students both nationally and internationally. Some were [[polytechnic]]s until these were granted university status in [[Further and Higher Education Act, 1992|1992]], and others which were founded much earlier. Imperial College London left the University of London in 2007. London is also known globally for its business education, with the [[London Business School]] (ranked 1st in Europe&nbsp;— Business Week)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ebslondon.ac.uk/about_ebs.aspx|title=About EBS London|date=2007|publisher=Regent's College|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/europe/special_reports/03/31/2008europeanb-s.htm|title=Business Week|publisher= Business Week|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> and [[Cass Business School]] (Europe's largest finance school) both being top world-rated business schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/|title=Cass Business School|date=2007|publisher=Cass Business School|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> In addition there are three international universities: [[Schiller International University]], [[Richmond University]] and [[Regent's College]].

London is home to many museums, galleries, and other institutions which are major [[tourist attraction]]s as well as playing a research role. The [[Natural History Museum]] (biology and geology), [[Science Museum (London)|Science Museum]] and [[Victoria and Albert Museum]] (fashion and design) are clustered in [[South Kensington]]'s "museum quarter", while the [[British Museum]] houses historic artefacts from around the world.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} The [[British Library]] at [[St Pancras, London|St Pancras]] is the UK's [[national library]], housing 150&nbsp;million items. The city also houses extensive art collections, primarily in the [[National Gallery, London|National Gallery]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/|title=The National Gallery, London&nbsp;— Official Website|publisher=The Natinoal Gallery|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> [[Tate Britain]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/|title=Tate Britain: British Art from 1500|publisher=[[Tate Britain]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> and [[Tate Modern]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/|title=Tate Modern: International modern and contemporary art|publisher=[[Tate Modern]]|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> See the [[list of museums in London]].

== Sister cities ==
{{main|List of twin towns in the United Kingdom#London}}
As well as London's twinning, the [[Boroughs of London]] have twinnings with parts of other cities across the world. Shown below is the list of cities that the [[Greater London Authority]] is twinned with.
*[[New York City]], {{flag|United States of America}}
*[[Moscow]], {{flag|Russia}}
*[[Berlin]], {{flag|Germany}}

The following cities have a friendship agreement with London:
*[[Sofia]], {{flag|Bulgaria}}
*[[Delhi]], {{flag|India}}
*[[Mumbai]], {{flag|India}}
*[[Beijing]], {{flag|China}}
*[[Istanbul]], {{flag|Turkey}}
*[[Paris]], {{flag|France}}
*[[Tehran]], {{flag|Iran}}
*[[Tokyo]], {{flag|Japan}}
*[[Bogotá]], {{flag|Colombia}}
*[[Podgorica]], {{flag|Montenegro}}
*[[Algiers]], {{flag|Algeria}}

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book|last=Ackroyd|first=Peter|title=London: The Biography|publisher=Vintage|location=London|date=2001|pages=880|isbn=0099422581}}
* {{cite book|last=Reddaway|first=Thomas Fiddian|title=The Rebuilding of London After the Great Fire|publisher=Jonathan Cape|date=1940|pages=333}}
* {{cite book|last=Aubin|first=Robert Arnold|title=London in flames, London in glory: poems on the fire and rebuilding of London|publisher=Rutgers University Press|date=1943|pages=383}}

== External links ==
{{portal}}
{{sisterlinks|London}}
* {{wikitravel}}
* [http://www.london.gov.uk/ Mayor of London, London Assembly and the Greater London Authority] - Official city government site
* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ Transport for London] (TfL) - city transport authority
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/ BBC London]
* [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/focuson/london/ Office for National Statistics: Focus on London 2007] - compendium of official statistics about London
* [http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ Museum of London Group Portal - Home]
* [http://www.visitlondon.com/ VisitLondon.com] - Official London site
* [http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/ Map of Early Modern London] - Historical Map and Encyclopaedia of Shakespeare's London (Scholarly)

{{Hanseatic League}}
{{London}}
{{Template group
|title=London in the European Union
|list={{Capital cities of the European Union}} {{UK cities}} {{LargestUKCities}}
}}
{{List of British Territories capitals}}
{{Olympic Summer Games Host Cities}}
{{Commonwealth Games Host Cities}}
{{World's most populated urban areas}}
{{WWII city bombing}}
{{coord|51|30|28|N|0|07|41|W|display=title|type:city(7000000)_region:GB-LND}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Christensen, Hayden}}
[[Category:London]]
[[Category:1st century establishments]]
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:British capitals]]
[[Category:Actors Studio alumni]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:Canadian film actors]]
[[Category:Host cities of the Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Canadians of Danish descent]]
[[Category:Host cities of the Summer Olympic Games]]
[[Category:Canadians of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Canadians of Swedish descent]]
[[Category:Articles including recorded pronunciations (UK English)]]
[[Category:Canadian stage actors]]
[[Category:Canadian television actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Vancouver]]


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Revision as of 21:33, 12 October 2008

Hayden Christensen
Hayden Christensen, May 2005

Hayden Christensen (born April 19, 1981) is a Golden Globe Award-nominated Canadian actor. He appeared in Canadian television programs when he was young, then diversified into American television in the late 1990s. He moved on to minor acting roles before being praised for his role of Sam in Life as a House. He gained international fame playing the young adult Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) in the Star Wars films.

Biography

Early life

Christensen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the son of Alie, a speechwriter for the heads of large companies, and David Christensen, a software program writer and communications executive.[1][2] His father is of Danish descent and his mother has Italian and Swedish ancestry.[3] Christensen has an elder brother and sister, Tove and Hesja, and a younger sister, Kaylen.[4][5][6] Raised outside Toronto in Thornhill, Ontario, Christensen attended E.J sand Public School, Baythorn Public School and Unionville High School in Unionville, Ontario, Canada. He was an athlete in high school, playing hockey at a competitive level and tennis on a provincial level.[7] He spent summers in Long Island with his maternal grandmother, Rose Schwartz,[7] and attended the Actors Studio in New York as well as the Arts York program for drama at his high school. He was "discovered" when his older sister Hejsa, a former trampoline champion, was shopping around for an agent after she landed a role in a Pringles potato chips commercial.[5][7]

1993–2000

Christensen's first acting role was on the television series Family Passions, which aired on Canadian television in September 1993, at the age of twelve.[8] The following year he acquired a minor role in John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness.[8] From 1995 through 1999, he appeared in several movies and television shows, including Harrison Bergeron, Forever Knight, Goosebumps, The Virgin Suicides, and Are You Afraid of the Dark?.[8]

He acquired wider notice while starring in Fox's Family Network television series, Higher Ground in 2000, portraying a teen who was sexually molested by his stepmother, who then turned to drugs in his despair.[8][9]

2001–2005

While Christensen's critically acclaimed portrayal of a misunderstood teenager in Life as a House (2001) earned him Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations as well as the National Board of Review's award for Breakthrough Performance of the Year,[10][11][12] the performance didn't receive widespread public notice.[9] For his part in the movie, Christensen lost 25 pounds through a special diet.[13] He eventually gained the weight back during the filming for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.[14][15]

His role as Anakin Skywalker (who was previously played by Sebastian Shaw and Jake Lloyd) in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) made him a star.[2] Although his performance was met with mixed reviews by critics (even earning him the Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor in both Episodes II and III),[16][17] he became very popular among audiences, being named in both People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People and Teen People's 25 Hottest Stars under 25.[4] He went on to receive good reviews for 2003's Shattered Glass, which tells the true story of journalist Stephen Glass, who was discovered fabricating stories as a writer for The New Republic.[18][19] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone writes "Hayden Christensen is sensational as Glass, finding the wonder boy and the weasel in a disturbed kid flying high on a fame he hasn't earned."[20]

Stock footage of Christensen was used in the controversial 2004 DVD release of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, where he was inserted over the original actor, Sebastian Shaw.[21] This version is now considered the canonical version in the Star Wars universe. Christensen insists this was done without his knowledge, an act that is confirmed by Lucasfilm itself in the featurette "Return of the Jedi: What has changed?" as seen on the official website to commemorate the 2006 DVDs.[21]

2006–present

Between 2006 and 2007, he starred in Awake, with Jessica Alba, which tells the story of a man who remains awake but paralyzed during heart surgery,[8][22] and in Factory Girl — as a character loosely based upon Bob Dylan — opposite Sienna Miller and Guy Pearce.[8][23] Christensen next starred with Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Bell and Rachel Bilson in the film Jumper, the story of a young man who discovers he has the ability to teleport; the film was released on February 14, 2008.[24][25] Bilson and Christensen co-starred again in the same segment of the film New York, I Love You. Christensen also appeared opposite Mischa Barton in Virgin Territory, which was released directly-to-DVD in North America in August of 2008. The film, based on The Decameron, is about a group of people who escape the Black Plague epidemic by hiding out in a Tuscan Villa in Italy.[26]

Christensen was slated to appear in an adaptation of William Gibson's seminal cyberpunk novel, Neuromancer, set for a 2009 release, but has since been removed from the IMDB cast list.[27][28] In September of 2008 it was announced that Christensen and Paul Walker signed onto the crime drama Bone Deep set for a 2010 release. He will play a young detective alongside Matt Dillon.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Night of the Living Dummy III Zane
1998 The Hairy Bird Tinka's Date
1999 The Virgin Suicides Joe Hill Conley
2000 Trapped in a Purple Haze Orin Krieg Television film
2001 Life as a House Sam Monroe
2002 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Anakin Skywalker
2003 Shattered Glass Stephen Glass
2004 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (2004 re-release) Anakin Skywalker {Ghost} replaced original actor (stock footage of head only)
2005 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
2006 Factory Girl Billy Quinn (also credited as Musician)
2007 Awake Clay Beresford, Jr.
2008 Jumper David Rice
Virgin Territory Lorenzo
Beast of Bataan TBA on hold (also producer)
2009 New York, I Love You Johnny post-production
Neuromancer Case pre-production

Awards

Year Group Award Result Film
2001 National Board of Review Awards Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor Won Life as a House
Young Hollywood Awards One to Watch - Male Won
2002 Saturn Awards Cinescape Genre Face of the Future Award Nominated Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Cannes Film Festival Chopard Trophy - Male Revelation Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Most Promising Performer Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture Nominated Life as a House
Online Film Critics Society Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Film - Choice Actor, Drama/Action Adventure Nominated Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Film - Choice Chemistry Nominated Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (Shared with:Natalie Portman )
2003 Saturn Award Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
2004 Las Palmas Film Festival Best Actor Won Shattered Glass (Tied with Peter Sarsgaard for Shattered Glass)
Satellite Awards Best Actor - Drama Nominated Shattered Glass

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hayden Christensen.
  1. ^ "Hayden Christensen Biography (1981-)". Film Reference. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  2. ^ a b "Hello Magazine Profile - Hayden Christensen". Hello Magazine. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  3. ^ "A force to be reckoned with". Telegraph. 2002-03-13. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  4. ^ a b "Hayden Christensen: Actor". People. 2002-05-13. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  5. ^ a b Hiscock, John (2005-05-13). "Skywalker comes down to earth". Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  6. ^ "Hayden Christensen Biography". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  7. ^ a b c Lee, Linda (2001-10-21). "Film: Up and Coming - Hayden Christensen; Life as the Latest Bearer of the Force". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Hello Magazine Filmography - Hayden Christensen". Hello Magazine. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  9. ^ a b Welch, David (2002-05-20). "The cast and crew of the latest Star Wars flick aren't cloning around". Sci Fi. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  10. ^ "HFPA - Awards Search". Golden Globes. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  11. ^ "8th Annual SAG Awards Nominees". SAG Awards. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  12. ^ "National Board of Review of Motion Pictures - Awards 2001". NBRMP. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  13. ^ "'Star Wars' Star Ordered to Pile on the Pounds". Wenn.com. IMDB.com. 2002-12-05. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  14. ^ "Top five Star Wars characters". Telegraph. 2002-11-05. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  15. ^ Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (DVD). 20th Century Fox. 2005.
  16. ^ "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) Awards". IMDB.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  17. ^ "Razzie Awards: 2006". IMDB.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01. {{cite web}}: Text "2006-03-04" ignored (help)
  18. ^ Ebert, Roger (2003-11-07). "Shattered Glass Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Roger Ebert.com. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  19. ^ Schembri, Jim (2005-05-20). "Darth wish". The Age. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  20. ^ Travers, Peter (2003-10-23). "Shattered Glass Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  21. ^ a b Star Wars Trilogy: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (DVD). 20th Century Fox. 2004.
  22. ^ Scheck, Frank (2007-12-03). "Awake: Bottom Line: Sleep won't be an option". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  23. ^ Howell, Peter (2007-02-09). "'Factory Girl': Time's up". TheStar. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  24. ^ Kiefer, Peter (2006-12-17). "'Oh My God, Can You Rent the Colosseum?'". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  25. ^ "Christensen Onboard Jumper?". Moviehole. 2006-07-22. Retrieved 2006-07-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Foster, Dave (2008-06-26). "Virgin Territory (R2) in August". DVD Times. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  27. ^ Bartyzel, Monika (2008-01-09). "Hayden Christensen is William Gibson's Neuromancer?!". Cinematical. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  28. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1037220/
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