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i. statistics and social conditions of the area
General Information
The Borough of Tower Hamlets is bounded on the west side by the City of
London, on the east by the borough of Newham, on the north by the borough of
Hackney and on the south by the river Thames. The river boundary is some seven
miles in length along which are found numerous wharves engaged in transshipping
activities.The area of the Borough is 4,994 acres,being approximately
four miles long, and four miles wide at the most distant points.Some 266 acres
cover canals and enclosed docks including St. Katharine and London Docks, East
and West India Docks, and the Millwall dock.
The predominant geological stratum is dark blue London clay found at a
depth of between 20-30 feet from the surface; above this level are layers and
patches of gravel and sand, with brown and yellow clays found nearer the surface.
In some parts of the Borough there are layers of "made" ground, the result
of earlier habitation, and as is to be expected the flow of subsoil water is
towards the river.
The area is to a large extent industrial in character,factory premises
being spread throughout the borough but tending to concentrate in the western
end, with docks and wharves stretching along the whole of the river front,which
forms the southern boundary.
The chief industry of the Borough is the manufacture of clothing of all
kinds and it is estimated that one-third of the tailoring industry of London
is carried on in this area.Other major industries include brewing,engineering,
the manufacture of furniture and ship repairing. Tower Hamlets is also one of
the most important wholesaling districts in London. Spitalfields wholesale
fruit and vegetable market and the London Fruit Exchange are situated in the
Borough,and there are many wholesale food depots from which goods are distributed
throughout the country.
Notable landmarks in the Borough include the Tower of London and the
Royal Mint.
Population
The Registrar-General's estimated mid-year population of the Borough was
204,560, a decrease of 1,520 from the total of the three former metropolitan
boroughs for the year 1964. This is a continuation of the downward trend
which has occurred since 1947 with the exception of last year when the
estimate was 2,230 higher than in 1963.
Births exceeded deaths by 1,587, so that as the estimated population decrease
was 1,520, the net estimated movement of residents out of the Borough
amounted to 3., 107 persons.
The density of population is 45.19 persons per acre.
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