London Borough of Islington

Islington is a borough of London to the north of the City of London, west of Hackney, east of Camden, and south of Haringey. Population 179,000 (1998), ethnic minority population about 20%. It was formed in April 1965 through amalgamation of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington and the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. It is an area of significant social contrasts (55% of population live in council housing, yet some houses of value greater than 3 million GBP). Islington contains one of the largest intact areas of urban Georgian architecture, and the borough is also known for its shopping facilities and "trendy" restaurants, bars and clubs. Its most prominent institution is Arsenal F.C., one of the world's most successful football clubs. John Stuart Mill, the famous economist and philosopher, was born in Pentonville, one of its areas, 20 May 1806.

The borough contains two Westminster parliamentary constituencies; Islington North and Islington South & Finsbury.

Districts of Islington

The borough includes the areas:

Tollington

- see also Islington parks and open spaces

Famous residents

Tony Blair, Prime Minister, once lived here (at 1 Richmond Crescent in Barnsbury). Other famous residents include the writers George Orwell, Nick Hornby and Douglas Adams, playwright Joe Orton, politician Boris Johnson, TV personality Clive Anderson, former nurse Abi Titmuss and pop musicians Dido, David Gray and John Lydon.Melissa Bell lead singer of Soul II Soul

Major Public and Private Bodies in Islington

HM Prison Pentonville
HM Prison Holloway

Attractions in Islington

Almeida Theatre
Arsenal Stadium (also called Highbury)
Emirates Stadium
Sadlers Wells

Demographics of Islington

According to the 2001 census Islington has a population of 175,797. It is 75% White, 6% Black African, 5% Black Caribbean and 2% Bangladeshi. 32% of the borough's residents are owner–occupiers.

Etymology

The area was recorded as Gislandune (c. 1000) and Iseldone (Domesday Book, 1086), from Old English *Gisla (man's name, genitive *Gislan) and -dun (hill, down).

External links

Districts of London | Islington