This covers a broad range of strengths, including film and television, fashion, publishing, music and design, alongside an increasingly vibrant tech industry.

It is one of the world’s pre-eminent centres of financial and business services, and also the cultural and creative industries.

After the loss of Britain’s industrial base, London retained its economic and cultural dynamism through its advanced services industries.

Today it has a population of nine million and with a diversity that reflects its global economic role and identity: 37% of Londoners were born outside of the UK, 40% of Londoners identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic, and there are over 300 languages spoken. The impact of Britain’s early industrial revolution meant that London was the world’s largest city throughout most of the 19th century and into the 20th century. Founded by the Romans two thousand years ago, London has long been a major world city, with connections developed over centuries through international trade.

What makes london a global city