People are only just realising how small the city of London is

Many people are just discovering how small the City of London actually is, despite its global reputation. The City of London, England's smallest city in terms of both area and population, is often mistaken for the sprawling metropolis that surrounds it.

While many envision London as a vast urban expanse, the "City of London" is in fact tiny. This financial and historic heart of London, also known as the "Square Mile", boasts a modest population of just 8,583 according to the 2021 census - although this figure would soar if weekday commuters were taken into account.

And despite its diminutive size of just 1.12 square miles, the City of London is home to numerous skyscrapers and therefore capable of accommodating large numbers of people. This surprising fact has recently come to light thanks to a Reddit post.

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One user on the platform shared their newfound knowledge, writing: "Today I learned the City of London is a district of approx. 1sq mile that is distinct from Greater London and has a population of approx. 9500 people however, over 500k people are employed there" [sic]. Another Reddit user expressed their confusion, saying: "I don't think I completely understand the City of London.

"I know it is designated a city, but is it a 'proper' city, distinct from London? Or is really something a bit more ceremonial, for lack of a better word? Or is it something in-between? Do people who live in the City of London consider themselves apart from the other Londoners?".

One user commented: "Today I learned the City of London is the third smallest city in the UK", sparking a response from another: "For anyone confused, the 'city of London' isn't the same as London the city (London/Greater London).

"The city of London is a small bit of central London with a lot of historical significance." The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district, established in the Roman era.