Is London A City Or Country? + More London Facts

London is a place famous all around the world. 30 million people visit every year!

Is London a City or Country?

This is a question that confuses many people. Luckily, I have the answer for you.

As a UK resident and having visited London, I can confidently answer this question.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? No problem! London is a city.

Is London A City?

Yes! London is a city. London is the capital city of both England and the UK.

Just under 10 million people call London their home and over 30 million tourists visit each year.

When you refer to “London” you are technically referring to “greater London”, but we’ll get into that later.

This makes London an incredibly busy city. It’s always busy at the main tourist attractions, no matter what time of the year you visit.

And London is home to many amazing attractions which are famous worldwide, such as Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus.

London is split up into 32 boroughs and the City of London. It can be confusing for tourists to differentiate between the two. Greater London is the umbrella name, and it’s what is commonly known as “London”.

However, the “City of London” is what is technically speaking, considered the city. But most people, Londoners included, simply mean Greater London when they say “London”.

To summarise, the answer to “Is London a city or country” is city. The capital city of England and the UK.

Is London A Country?

No, London is not a country. London is a city.

London is in England which is part of the United Kingdom (UK) which is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

As said above, London’s the capital city of England and the UK.

London is one of the largest cities in the world and one of the most culturally diverse too. Every part of London offers something a little different!

It’s at the centre of all aspects of UK life from politics to the economy and everything in between. London is a huge global player.

So to clarify, London is not a country, London is a city.

What Is “The City of London”?

It can be quite difficult to understand the difference between London and the City of London.

The City of London is a “city within a city” if you like that phrase. Greater London, or London, as you know it, is absolutely enormous and spans over 1500 square kilometres. For reference, Paris is 105.

Within Greater London is a city named “The City of London” which is home to a lot of the main tourist attractions such as the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

As the city is a “city within a city”, it’s actually the smallest city in the UK! Pretty crazy, right?

So “Greater London” is what most people know as “London”. “The City of London” is what is technically the city. Confusing, unnecessary, I know, tell me about it.

But it’s the way it is. And as I said before, when most people say “London” they are actually referring to Greater London.

Facts About London

Now that we know London is a city and not a country, you may wish to learn some other facts about London! Here are 7 great facts about the capital of England.

1. London has a population of nearly 10 million people

As of 2023, 9,648,000 people call Greater London their home. This makes London the 36th most populated city in the world!

When you visit London, you really get a feel of how many people there are. It’s constantly busy anywhere, anytime.

It’s incredible that so many people visit each year, but if you are trying to enjoy the tourist attractions, it can be pretty hectic, to say the least.

2. London Zoo was the first zoo in the world

London Zoo officially opened its doors to the public in 1847, becoming the first zoo in the world.

It’s still considered one of the best zoos in the world in the present day.

Winnie the Pooh also lived in London Zoo. A bear, named Winnie, lived in London zoo when AA Milne visited and thus inspired the name of the famous character.

3. London has hosted the Olympics 3 times

London is the only city in the world to host the Olympic Games on 3 separate occasions.

In 1908, 1948 and most recently, in 2012.

Many iconic Olympic moments have taken place in London including when Sir Chris Hoy became the most decorated Olympic cyclist in history.

4. Monopoly is based on places in London

That’s right! The famous board game is set in London, with many streets and places making up the board game.

Places like “Piccadilly circus” and “Trafalgar Square” are some of the most notable.

If you are a fan of the game, it can be pretty cool to visit these places in real life.

5. Nearly 300 languages are spoken in London

With a population so large, it makes sense that a wide variety of languages are spoken. But between 250 and 300 is amazing.

English (obviously), Polish, Turkish, Punjabi and Bengali are among the most common.

It’s incredible to see the diversity of London. Few places can incorporate so many cultures into one.

6. London is home to the oldest tennis tournament in the world

The Wimbledon Championships take place each June and feature the best tennis players in the world competing to win the championships.

Roger Federer has won the most titles with an impressive 8 Wimbledon victories.

7. Big Ben isn’t exactly what you think

When you think of Big Ben, you think of the beautiful golden clock tower, right?

Big Ben is actually the bell inside the tower. If you hang around in the area for long enough, you’ll get to hear it. It’s truly iconic.

8. You can get a train from London to Paris

The Eurostar runs underneath the English Channel, taking you from London to Paris on a train.

It’s a pretty unique experience, and it only takes about 2 and a half hours. Pretty cool!

Another bonus is that you can use your Interrail pass on Eurostar if you are travelling around Europe.

9. The Great Fire of London destroyed most of London

The Great Fire of London in 1666 wiped out around 80% of the city. The fire started in a bakery and destroyed over 13,000 houses.

It means most of London’s buildings are pretty new (relatively speaking compared to other cities) but this creates a beautiful modern skyline which is known around the world.

10. You can visit Sherlock Holmes’ house

Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective, lived at 221B Baker Street. A London address, and an address which you can visit.

It’s a popular tourist destination and has a small museum. You can also visit the location where Sherlock Holmes the series was recorded, nearby at 187 N Gower St.

Is London A City Or Country: FAQ

Below are a number of questions related to “Is London a city or country?” along with my answers.

Is London a country yes or no?

No. London is not a country. London is a city, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom.

Is London a city yes or no?

Yes, London is a city. London is the capital city of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Is London actually a city?

When someone says “London” they are typically referring to Greater London, which is a huge area. Within Greater London are 32 boroughs and the City of London. The City of London is the part that is actually a city.

Is London a city, country or continent?

London is a city, the capital city of the UK, with nearly 10 million residents.

Is London A City Or Country: Conclusion

And there you have it! A complete guide to “Is London a city or country?” and remember, the answer is that London is a city.

Although technically Greater London, most people just refer to it as London, and within London, is the City of London, which is the city part.

It’s confusing, but hopefully, you were able to understand and if you are planning a trip to London, I hope you have a great time. It’s an extraordinary place to visit 🙂