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Cities play a very important role in the British economy.As the first country in the world to have industrialized，Great Britain boasts many cities that have long been known to the world，such as London，Birmingham，Glasgow，Manchester，Liverpool，Southampton，Sheffield and Edinburgh.

London is both the capital of England and that of the United Kingdom as a whole.Located on the Thames，it functions as the country’s most important political，economic，cultural，media and industrial center.It is a truly cosmopolitan city in that about one⁃third of its population of 8 million is made up of people from other parts of the world.London has many notable landmarks.On the River Thames are the famous London Bridge and the spectacular gothic Tower Bridge.West of London Bridge and on the banks of the Thames lie the Houses of Parliament（also known as the Palace of Westminster，including the famous Big Ben clock tower）and Westminster Abbey cathedral，which is the site of royal coronations and weddings.Further west is Buckingham Palace，where the royal family live.Other well⁃known sites in London include the Tower of London，Trafalgar Square，Picadilly Circus，Regent’s Park and Hyde Park.

Birmingham in central England is the second⁃largest city in the country.Its heavy industry，particularly in such fields as metallurgy，machinery fabrication，automobile manufacturing and chemicals，is pivotal to the nation’s economy.

The city of Manchester is where the Industrial Revolution began，and has long been the center of Britain’s textile industry.The city is connected with the sea by the 57⁃kilometer⁃long Manchester Ship Canal that was built in 1894.In recent years，the city has become known for the success of the Manchester United football club，which is the most popular in Great Britain and has fans all around the world.Sheffield is located in England’s South Yorkshire County.It is an important center for the production of cast iron，high⁃grade steel and steel products like cutlery and other utensils.

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and port.Located on the River Clyde，it is one of Britain’s most important shipping and manufacturing centers.It is among the country’s leading cities in production of iron and steel，textiles，textile machinery and chemicals.Glasgow is also known for the University of Glasgow，which was established in 1450.

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century.It is Scotland’s second⁃largest city and Britain’s second⁃leading financial center after London，with thriving banking and insurance industries.It also serves as a hub of communications in Scotland and is a major center of art and culture.