London generates approximately 20 per cent
of the UK's GDP (or $446 billion in 2005); while the economy of the London
metropolitan area—the largest in Europe—generates approximately 30 per cent of
the UK's GDP (or an estimated $669 billion in 2005). London is one of the
pre-eminent financial centres of the world and vies with New York City as the
most important location for international finance.
London's largest industry is finance, and
its financial exports make it a large contributor to the UK's balance of
payments. Around 325,000
