Barnet

Outer London borough of northwest Greater London, including the district of Hendon

Population
(2001) 314,600

Industries
Barnet has the highest level of self-employment in Greater London, and a low rate of unemployment. The main economic sectors are the retail and service sectors. Industries in Barnet include the UK headquarters of multinational companies such as McDonald's, Demon Internet and Pentland.

History
During the Wars of the Roses, it was the site of the Battle of Barnet (1471). Suburban development from London reached Barnet early in the 20th century with the opening of an underground line to Golders Green in 1907. Hampstead Garden Suburb was also started in 1907, and extended in the interwar years. It was an important part of the Garden City movement. Barnet's population is expanding, and approximately 20% (2000) of the population are from ethnic minority groups. Over 120 languages are spoken in the borough.

Features
The Metropolitan Police Training Centre, Royal Air Force Battle of Britain, and Bomber Command museums are all situated in Hendon. Barnet College, a new further education college, the result of a merger between two existing colleges, was founded in August 2000.