London, population 6,770,000. Capital city of England and the United Kingdom, situated on the River Thames in Southeast England. Includes within its boundaries the City of London, the sight of the original medieval city and present-day financial and business center; the City of Westminster, the administrative center which contains the House of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and government department; and the West End, the main shopping and entertainment area around Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus 皮卡迪利广场 (戏院及娱乐中心) and Leicester Square莱斯特广场. London is a leading cultural center, with many theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls, opera houses, churches and cathedrals. 1. What is the purpose of the writing?