London and New York City have a lot in common. Both are major ports, global financial centres, and cultural hubs. The Big Apple may have more flights, a higher market capitalization of its stock exchanges, and more global company headquarters, but London is still ahead by two points. The city has a vibrant nightlife with 25.6 events per thousand people, 44.1% of which take place in theatres.
It also hosts the famous Wimbledon regatta and championship for rowing and tennis. London is also the backdrop for many British films, and it has been found to be the most comprehensive comparison between the world's major cities in terms of economic performance and cultural importance. The city is home to two ballet companies: the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House and the English National Ballet at Kensington's London Coliseum. It also has a successful dance and physical theatre scene, with choreographers such as Matthew Bourne, Wayne McGregor, Lloyd Newson, and Hofesh Shechter having their companies in the capital.
London is known for its iconic red telephone booths, AEC Routemaster buses, black taxis, and Union flag. It is also a popular destination for cricket fields such as Lord's and The Oval, as well as rugby league and rugby union teams. The city has a bustling stock exchange, an economically attractive atmosphere, the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any city, and an international food scene that reflects its cultural makeup with more ethnic restaurants than any other metropolis. It also has the world's first underground subway network (the Tube), which earned it particularly high marks.
London is often a leader in art, music, fashion, and rap - with artists such as Wiley and Dizzee Rascal helping it gain recognition as having the strongest rap scene outside of the United States. Laurent Feniou, a banker who moved to England in 1995 and created the annual Francais of the Year to honor members of London's 300,000 member French expatriate community was not surprised that London was voted ahead of Paris.
