Scope

London, also known as Greater London, is one of nine regions of England and the top subdivision
covering most of the city's metropolis. The City of London at its core once comprised the whole
settlement, but as its urban area grew, the Corporation of London resisted attempts to amalgamate the
city with its suburbs, causing "London" to be defined several ways.[135]

Satellite view of London in June 2018

Forty per cent of Greater London is covered by the London post town, in which 'London' forms part of
postal addresses.[136] The London telephone area code (020) covers a larger area, similar in size to
Greater London, although some outer districts are excluded and some just outside included. The Greater
London boundary has been aligned to the M25 motorway in places.[137]

Further urban expansion is now prevented by the Metropolitan Green Belt, although the built-up area
extends beyond the boundary in places, producing a separately defined Greater London Urban Area.
Beyond this is the vast London commuter belt.[138] Greater London is split for some purposes into Inner
London and Outer London,[139] and by the River Thames into North and South, with an informal central
London area. The coordinates of the nominal centre of London, traditionally the original Eleanor Cross at
Charing Cross near the junction of Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, are about 51°30′26″N 00°07′39″W.
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