Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city of France, located in the north-central part of the country along the River Seine. The city lies on relatively low and mostly flat terrain within the Paris Basin, a broad geological region of northern France. Paris has an oceanic climate, with generally mild winters, moderately warm summers and rainfall distributed throughout the year. The Seine has played an important role in the city's development, providing a transport route and shaping its urban landscape.

Paris is the political, administrative, economic and cultural centre of France and is closely connected to a much larger metropolitan region. Its public transport network includes the metro, suburban railways, trams and buses, while several major railway stations and airports connect the capital with other parts of France and the world. The city is also known for its parks, gardens and tree-lined avenues. Although the municipality itself is relatively compact, the wider metropolitan area extends across numerous surrounding communes and is one of Europe's major urban regions.

Paris has a history spanning more than two thousand years. The ancient settlement of Lutetia developed on and around the Île de la Cité, and the city later became an important centre of the medieval kingdom of France. From the Middle Ages onward, Paris grew around the Seine and became a major centre of government, learning and culture. The city contains many landmarks that reflect different periods of its history, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, completed for the 1889 World's Fair.

Paris also hosts major universities, libraries, museums and research institutions. The Louvre is one of the world's best-known museums, while the city's historic banks of the Seine are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, Paris combines historic architecture with modern neighbourhoods, business districts and extensive public spaces. Its long political and cultural history has given the city an important role in France and a lasting influence on European and international culture.