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>
    <pages>
      <page pageid="1" ns="0" title="Main Page">
        <links>
          <pl ns="0" title="Battery" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Full Wave Rectifier" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Getting Started" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Half Wave Rectifier" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Linear DC Voltage Regulator" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Measure an Outlet" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Oscilloscope Models" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Reference Sources" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Switched-mode Power Supply" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Unregulated DC Power Supply" />
        </links>
      </page>
    </pages>
  </query>
</api>