Country | France |
Population | 2102650 |
Area | 105.4 km2 (40.7 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
Coordinates | 48.85341, 2.3488 |
Highest elevation | 28–131 m (92–430 ft) (avg. 78 m or 256 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Paris, the capital and largest city of France, is renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and significant global influence. As of January 2023, the city boasts a population of 2,102,650 within its 105 square kilometers, making it the fourth-largest city in the European Union and one of the most densely populated globally.
Paris, often referred to as the City of Light, has been a central hub for finance, diplomacy, commerce, culture, fashion, and gastronomy since the 17th century. It is the heart of the Île-de-France region, which is home to approximately 12,271,794 people, or about 19% of France’s population. The Paris Region is a powerhouse with a GDP of €765 billion (US$1.064 trillion) in 2021, leading the EU in economic output.
The city is well-connected, served by two major international airports: Charles de Gaulle and Orly. Charles de Gaulle is the third-busiest airport in Europe, while the Paris Métro, operational since 1900, accommodates 5.23 million passengers daily, making it the second-busiest metro system in Europe. Gare du Nord, another key transport hub, is the 24th-busiest railway station globally, handling 262 million passengers in 2015.
Paris’s extensive cultural heritage includes the Louvre, the world’s most-visited art museum, drawing 8.9 million visitors in 2023. Other notable museums include the Musée d’Orsay, Musée Marmottan Monet, and Musée de l’Orangerie, celebrated for their Impressionist collections. Modern and contemporary art can be explored at the Pompidou Centre and the Musée Rodin, while the historical district along the Seine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city is home to several major international organizations, including UNESCO and the OECD, as well as European bodies like the European Space Agency. Paris also plays a significant role in sports, hosting the Paris Saint-Germain football club and Stade Français rugby club. The Stade de France, located just north of Paris in Saint-Denis, has a capacity of 81,000 and was built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics and has previously hosted the Games in 1900 and 1924.
Paris’s sports and cultural events include the French Open at Roland Garros, the Tour de France finishing on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and various major football and rugby tournaments. The city’s transportation system is lauded for its sustainability, earning it the Sustainable Transport Award twice. Overall, Paris continues to be a global icon of culture, economics, and sports.
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