One of the oldest and most cosmopolitan of the world’s great cities, London sits astride the River Thames in southeastern England. Greater London is really a compound metropolis, having developed as a conglomeration of important districts and suburbs, each with its own administrative structure. The city is also a rich conglomeration of distinct neighborhoods: established over the years by immigrant populations. The public transportation is excellent--visitors can easily get around on the tube (underground railway), buses or taxis--but the best way to see London is to explore its nooks and crannies on foot. The roughly 10-square-mile section visited by most tourists is a fairly easy walk in any direction from Trafalgar Square, and an array of fascinating walking tours with themes like Jack the Ripper, pubs frequented by Dickens, Royal London and London ghosts are readily available. The local cuisine reflects the city’s multiethnic population: though you can still get great fish and chips, bangers and mash and roast beef, there are plenty of excellent Asian, Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants, and some of the world’s best Indian and Pakistani food is available in London.