ancient treasures. The National Gallery
has many European paintings.
Economy
London is one of the world’s most
important centers for banking, investing
money, and insurance. The tourist
industry is also important to the city’s
economy. In addition, many people in
London work in government offices,
schools, museums, and stores.
History
Romans founded the city in the 1st century
AD. They called it Londinium (the
name was eventually shortened to London).
It was part of the Roman Empire
for about 400 years. Later a Germanic
people called the Saxons settled in London.
William the Conqueror (William
I), from Normandy in France, took control
of England in 1066. He had a fortress
built in the city. It was later called
the Tower of London.
A double-decker bus drives past
the clock tower at the Palace of
Westminster. This tower contains
a huge bell known as Big Ben.
The tower is a famous sight in
London.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA London 175
London grew rapidly. Several times,
however, a disease called the plague
killed many people there. In 1666 a fire
destroyed the city, but it was rebuilt.
Over the years the English built a huge
empire, and London grew wealthy as the
capital of the empire. The city was the
center of the world’s economy from the
late 1700s to the early 1900s.
In 1940–41, during WorldWar II, Germany
repeatedly bombed London. The
city was heavily damaged. After the war,
London was rebuilt. In the early 21st
century terrorists bombed London’s
public transportation system. However,
the city continued to thrive.
#More to explore
England • Thames River • United
Kingdom
Loon
Loons are large waterbirds known for
their unusual wailing calls. They are
excellent swimmers and divers. In fact,
these birds are called divers in Great
Britain. Their feet are webbed, and their
legs are set far back on their bodies.
These features help loons swim but
make the birds almost unable to walk.
There are several species, or types, of
loon. Loons live near freshwater lakes
and ponds in northern regions. They are
found in the northern parts of North
America, Europe, and Asia. Loons
migrate, meaning that they fly to
warmer areas for the winter.
Loons are about 2–3 feet (60–90 centimeters)
long. They have stout bodies
and pointed bills. Their wings are small
and pointed. Their feathers are mainly
black, brown, or gray on the upper body
and white below.
Except for penguins, no birds are better
divers than loons. Loons sometimes
The common loon is also known as the
great northern diver.
A huge Ferris wheel called the London Eye
sits along the Thames River in London,
England.
176 Loon BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
dive 200 feet (60 meters) below the
surface of the water. They can stay
underwater for three minutes or more.
Loons put these skills to good use in
catching fish and other small water
animals to eat.
Loons make a wide variety of calls. They
use some calls to frighten away invaders
and others to locate or greet mates.
Many people think the calls sound like
eerie laughing, yodeling, wailing, or
hooting.
#More to explore
Bird • Migration, Animal
Loris
Lorises are slow-moving mammals with
enormous eyes. They are primates, as are
lemurs, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and
human beings. Lorises live mainly in the
tropical rain forests and bamboo groves
of India and Southeast Asia.
Lorises measure about 7 to 15 inches
(18 to 38 centimeters) long. They have
round faces, small ears, and dark patches
around their large eyes. Their thick fur is
gray or brown. Lorises have a short,
stubby tail or no tail at all. They have
short, thick fingers and toes that are
capable of an extremely powerful grip.
The second toe on each foot has a long
claw for grooming.
The animals live in trees and rarely venture
to the ground. They are slow and
careful climbers and do not leap from
tree to tree. They spend their days rolled
up in a tight ball, fast asleep. When
night arrives, they begin searching for
food.
Lorises feed on insects, fruit, and plant
shoots. They also eat small birds and
their eggs and even small mammals and
lizards. When a loris spots a possible
meal, it often launches a surprise attack.
It firmly grips a branch with both feet
and stands straight up. Then, still holding
on, it throws its body forward and
grabs the prey with both hands.
Gestation, or pregnancy, lasts about six
months. The female usually gives birth
to a single offspring. Lorises may live as
long as 14 years.
#More to explore
Primate • Rain Forest • Tarsier
The strong hands and feet of a
loris help it to climb trees. Its
large, round eyes help it to see
in the dark.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Loris 177
Los Angeles
Population
(2000 census),
city, 3,694,820;
(2007 estimate)
3,834,340
Los Angeles is the second largest city in
the United States, after New York City.
It lies on the Pacific Ocean in the southern
part of the state of California. The
Los Angeles area is very spread out. It
includes both beaches and mountains.
The city is famous for its movie industry,
celebrities, and sunshine, as well as
for its pollution and traffic jams.
Places of Interest
Hollywood, the center of the U.S.
