London would not be London without the River Thames. It flows 215 miles across the English countryside and then through the heart of the great city before it reaches the sea. The Thames has played an extremely important part in making England what it is today.
England had very few roads in the past, so the Thames provided a major highway between London and many parts of the country. People could also send supplies of food and other goods to and from London by boat. In times of war, London was protected from sea attacks because they built castles and forts at the mouth of the river. People from the London area got their drinking water from the Thames, and thirsty cows and sheep were a common sight along its banks.
With the industrial Revolution in the 18th century, the Thames became one of the busiest waterways in the world. Factories made and exported goods of all kinds. So people became rich and many of them built beautiful houses along the banks oh the river. The famous writer Charles Dickens spent part of his childhood there and later wrote about the Thames in his books.
Today the Thames has become a symbol of London, just as much as Big Ben or Buckingham Palace. If you take a stroll along its banks you'll have a day full of pleasant surprises. You can admire bridges built in many different architectural styles. The most famous one is probably Tower Bridge which actually opens up 1,000 times a year to let ships through. Or you might be lucky enough to see London's rowing event, the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, which takes place on the river every spring. Whether you're a Londoner or a visitor, the Thames will always have something to offer you.​
СОКРАТИТЕ ТЕКСТ НА АНГЛИЙСКОМ ЯЗЫКЕ.

London,the capital of the United Kingdom,stands on the river It flows 215 miles.It was difficult to imagine life in the past time without the Thames :it served as a major highway in England,as a supplier of food and drinking water.Many people built their houses on the banks of the river .Even Charles Dickens lived on the

Thames bank and wrote about this fact.

Today The Thames is the symbol of England.If you take an excursion about London you can admire beautiful bridges

built in different styles.The Thames is the place of rowing competitions,which are so popular with Oxford and Cambridge students.Whether you are a Londoner or a visitor the Thames will have something to offer you.