CHARACTERISTICS OF CITIES

CHARACTERISTICS OF CITIES

characteristics of cities

LONDON London is the capital of England and

the United Kingdom.  the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. London has a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. London has a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions including the British Museum, National Gallery, British Library, Wimbledon and 40 theatres.

 Like many large cities world wide, London has its share of problems: overcrowding, unemployment and homelessness being some of the main ones. In 1988, for example, nearly 1 in 8 people were unemployed throughout London and the situation in the inner city was worst. Transportation is another problem. However, an excellent public system has helped to alleviate some of this. 

 Severe social problems do exist in the inner city but have been aided by special programmers aimed at inner city regeneration. These programmers have met with only limited success despite the considerable financial resources devoted to them. Conditions in such areas have not improved while in some areas they have actually worsened. More successful has been the government's attempt to encourage growth outside London without allowing the city to sprawl into unmanageable suburban growth. The result has been the development of five concentrated growth regions that act as a counterbalance to London. 

PHOTOS OF LONDON

MADRID Madrid is the capital and largest city

in Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million. It is the third-most populous municipality in the European Union after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the third-most populous in the European Union after Paris and London.  Due to its economic output, high standard of living, and market size, Madrid is considered the major financial centre of Southern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula; it hosts the head offices of the vast majority of the major Spanish companies. While Madrid possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets. 

Within the city, there are enough plazas, parks, museums, and palaces to occupy even the most ambitious tourist for at least a week. Madrid is unique among Spanish cities is its collection of national treasures.  Much of the work Spain's famous modern artists -- Picasso, Miro, and Dali -- has been collected by museums outside of Madrid's nightlife is truly unmatched by any other city in Spain or major European city.

Like many other large cities and Madrid has problems. The city is dirty, partly because of the sheer number of people who go out every night and partly because of the Spanish predilection for urinating in the street. Some areas of the city, however, are notorious for prostitution and drug deals. While Madrid has 56 hospitals and approximately five physicians per 1,000 residents, health care lags behind other major European cities. Many hospitals lack adequate staff and equipment. 

PHOTOS OF MADRID

PARIS

Paris is the capital and largest city in France. Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centers, and its influences in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. The Paris agglomeration is Europe's biggest city economy. According to the latest survey Paris is the world's most expensive city in which to live. Paris and its region are the most popular tourist destination in the world. The city and region contain numerous iconic landmarks — particularly the Eiffel Tower — as well as world-famous institutions and popular parks.

Like many other large cities and Paris has problems. Paris has attracted many foreign illegal's that beg or steal in public places and hassle tourists.Driving in Paris is a nightmare due to the large amount of vehicles and the fact that some of the streets are narrow and congested.  There are frequent strikes or demonstrations that hamper traffic or transport.Extreme temperatures are rare and it rarely snows, but recently Paris was brought to a standstill by massive snow falls. Likewise in the summer a few years back there was such a heat wave that many people who lived in attic rooms in old buildings died.

Parisians have to cope with thousands of tourists who hamper their normal activities, accost them or demand their attention when they are in a hurry going to work or to keep an appointment. The cost of living in Paris, like in all capitals, is very high as being such a large agglomeration it has to bring in supplies or goods from other regions or countries.However these things do not prevent it from being one of the most sought after place of residence in the country nor do they deter tourists since it is the most visited city in the world because of its vast array of culture, its remarkable monuments and buildings and its beautiful gardens.

PHOTOS OF PARIS

BUCHAREST Bucharest is the capital city, cultural,

industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country. Economically, Bucharest is the most prosperous city in Romania and is one of the main industrial centers and transportation hubs of Eastern Europe. The city has a broad range of convention facilities, educational facilities, cultural venues, shopping arcades and recreational areas. Bucharest is situated on the banks of the Dâmbovița River. Several lakes – the most important of which are Lake Herăstrău, Lake Floreasca, Lake Tei, and Lake Colentina – stretch across the city, along the Colentina River, a tributary of the Dâmbovița. In addition, in the centre of the capital there is a small artificial lake – Lake Cișmigiu – surrounded by theCișmigiu Gardens. The Cișmigiu Gardens have a rich history, being frequented by famous poets and writers.

Like many Eastern European capitals, Bucharest is a show place of corruption, filthy streets and organized crime. The streets are dark, dank, and filled with garbage - the domain of the homeless and wretched street children. Corruption is a serious problem in Bucharest. American citizens seeking or doing business in Bucharest should be aware of the United States' Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Economic crime is a growing problem in Romania.  American companies and citizens are very often the victims of this type of crime. Romanian newspapers are not shy about reporting the wrongs of government employees. Such articles appear on a continual basis and serve as a pressure point for a cleaner, better government.

While most crimes in Romania are non-violent and non-confrontational, there has been an increase in the number of crimes in which the victim suffers personal harm. Crimes against tourists (robbery, mugging, pick-pocketing and confidence scams) are a growing problem in Romania.  Organized groups of thieves and pickpockets operate in the train stations and on trains, subways, and buses in major cities. Money exchange schemes targeting travelers have become increasingly common in Romania. 

PHOTOS OF BUCHAREST

Ivana Manasieska Rosana Dimitrieska

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