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Heathrow is too much little to welcome a huge amount of passengers.The crisis was disastrous for the banking organisations based in London, Britain has been badly hit, and Hong Kong is threatening London’s leading position.It also caused shortages and difficulties (education, health) The immigration has not produced a really multicultural society but a collection of different racial groups in certain areas.The wealth is not shared like it has to be : it causes social tensions.Home of the British Parliament, big player in political affairs.Number of ambassadors, consulates, international conferences etc….The BBC and other television broadcasters are world famous for the quality of their output, and the British press based in London has enormous power.Press agencies, television networks, internet speed.Olympic Games (2012), 14 million visitors per year to see its museums, galleries and other attractions.Number of sporting activities, cultural events, international exhibitions.8.5 million inhabitants, “melting pot” of cultures, high-reputation of British universities.Number of inhabitants, number of international migrants, quality of universities and research centres.405 kms of underground railway, 6.4 million people taking the bus everyday, Eurostar linked to Paris.airports, underground railway, motorways, trains.the City is the world’s leading financial centre and the London Stock Exchange is the one of the three most important of the world.London : 33% of the top international companies are their European Headquarters in London.General : number of firms, volume of transactions.The factors which make London a global city The term “global city” was first used in 1991 by a sociologist called Saskia Sassen. They are accessible cities which are hubs around which the people, capital, information and products of world trade revolve.
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The major global centres of the world are New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, Hong-Kong and Chicago. A global city is one which goes beyond the boundaries of its national territory thanks to its role in the global economy.
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