Sheraton Heathrow Hotel

London is recognized as one of the world’s most powerful, coveted, influential, and visited cities. It is also regarded as one of the most expensive, sustainable, investment-friendly, and attractive destinations for work. The city exerts significant influence across diverse fields, including arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, journalism, professional services, research and development, tourism, and transportation.

Economically, London ranks 26th among the world’s 300 largest cities in terms of performance and is one of the leading global financial centres, with the fifth- or sixth-largest metropolitan GDP. It remains the most visited city globally in terms of international arrivals, while its airport system is the busiest worldwide by passenger traffic. London is also the most popular investment hub, hosting the largest number of international retail outlets. In 2017, it was home to the second-highest number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in Europe, following Paris.

The city is a major centre of higher education, boasting Europe’s largest concentration of institutions such as Imperial College London (noted for science and applied sciences), the London School of Economics (renowned for social sciences), as well as University College London and King’s College London, both of which offer comprehensive academic disciplines.

London is celebrated for its cultural diversity, with more than 300 languages spoken across the city. As of mid-2018, the estimated municipal population of Greater London stood at 8,908,081—representing 13.4% of the UK’s total population—making it the third most populous city in Europe. With 9,787,426 residents in the broader metropolitan area, it ranks as Europe’s fourth most populous city after Moscow, Istanbul, and Paris.

The city is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, St. Margaret’s Church, and the historic settlement of Greenwich, where the Royal Observatory established the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time. Other iconic landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and The Shard.

London also offers a wealth of cultural and recreational attractions, including world-class museums, galleries, libraries, and theatres. Notable examples are the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Modern, the British Library, and the renowned West End theatres. Furthermore, London hosts major sporting events and is served by the London Underground, the world’s oldest underground railway system.