You are looking at the HTML representation of the XML format.
HTML is good for debugging, but is unsuitable for application use.
Specify the format parameter to change the output format.
To see the non HTML representation of the XML format, set format=xml.
See the complete documentation, or API help for more information. 
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<api>
  <query-continue>
    <allimages gaicontinue="AddFromExternalLocation.gif" />
  </query-continue>
  <query>
    <pages>
      <page pageid="311" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel ApplyButton.png" />
      <page pageid="310" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel EditButton.png" />
      <page pageid="302" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel MapTool.png" />
      <page pageid="305" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel MeshPreview.png" />
      <page pageid="308" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel Result.png" />
      <page pageid="307" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel Section BanklineOptions.png" />
      <page pageid="304" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel Section Banklines.png" />
      <page pageid="306" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel Section ProfileView.png" />
      <page pageid="303" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel Section Profiles.png" />
      <page pageid="309" ns="6" title="File:1D2D CreateChannel SelectionButton.png" />
    </pages>
  </query>
</api>