Are There 32 or 33 London Boroughs?

By Michael Ferguson

This is a question that has puzzled many people. The answer, however, is not as straightforward as one might expect.

London is divided into local government areas known as boroughs. These boroughs are responsible for delivering various services to their residents, such as waste management, social services, and education. But how many boroughs are there exactly

If you ask most Londoners, they will tell you that there are 32 boroughs in London. However, this is not entirely accurate. The truth is that there are both 32 and 33 boroughs in London depending on how you count them.

To understand this better, let’s take a closer look at the history of the boroughs. In 1965, the Greater London Council was established to govern the entire area of Greater London. As part of this process, the council created 32 new boroughs by amalgamating smaller districts.

These 32 boroughs were further divided into Inner and Outer London based on their proximity to the city center. Inner London consists of 12 boroughs while Outer London has the remaining 20.

However, in 1994, a new local government body called the Corporation of London was established. This organization governs the City of London – a small area within Greater London that is often referred to simply as “The City.” The Corporation of London has its own unique status and is not considered part of any borough.

This means that if you count The City as a separate entity from the other boroughs in Greater London, then there are indeed 33 local government areas in total.

So while most people refer to there being 32 boroughs in London, it’s important to remember that this number can vary depending on whether or not you include The City in your count.

In summary, there are technically both 32 and 33 boroughs in London depending on how you count them. Regardless of the exact number, each borough plays an important role in shaping the character and identity of this great city.

If you’re planning a trip to London, be sure to explore as many boroughs as possible to get a true sense of the city’s diverse culture and history. From the bustling streets of Camden to the leafy suburbs of Richmond, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant metropolis.