Paris is the capital of France and the country's largest city. Paris has been a thriving metropolis and a center of intellectual and artistic achievement for centuries. The earliest archaeological signs of permanent habitation in the Paris area date from around 4200 BC. The name of the city comes from the name of a Gallic tribe (parisis) inhabiting the region at the time of the Roman conquest. Known as Lutetia (Lutece) in ancient times, Paris was conquered by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, and existed as a regional center under the Romans and in the early Middle Ages. Formerly a little village mostly built along the river, it became the capital of France in 486.
The weather for Paris during the summer is usually warm and dry, while winters are very chilly with temperatures hovering around freezing point. The average temperatures in Paris generally range between 5°C (41°F) during winter and 20°C (68°F) in summer. Sudden showers, sometimes with bail, can occur between January and April, notoriously in March.
The metropolitan area of Paris is one of the engines of the global economy. The Paris economy is largely dominated by services, book printing and publishing are major activities in central Paris. Heavier industries are situated in the suburbs; the area's industry constitutes about one quarter of the national total, including most of the manufacturing of aircraft, automobiles and precision-engineered and chemical products. The city headquarters of many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the ICC, or the informal Paris Club.
The transportation system of Paris is mainly run by two state-owned corporations: the RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) and the SNCF-French railways. RATP overtakes métro, bus and tram networks, as well as some part of the RER (Réseau Express Régional) express train network. The Paris métro system is a marvel of efficiency, providing safe and fast transportation. The RER suburban express network has five lines (A, B, C, D and E) covering five zones. The SNCF runs the rest of the RER network and the Transilien suburban trains. Paris bus routes are numbered, and begin operation at 06h30. On top of the 200 km of bicycle lanes, the additional 70 km of bus lanes are also accessible to cyclists. Taxis are readily available and can be hailed or caught at taxi ranks.
The University of Paris, on the left bank of the Seine, is arguably the most famous school in the world. Outsiders often refer to it as the Sorbonne, but that is only the school of arts and sciences. Everyone in France is entitled to a free education, including that of a university. The educational system is run by the central government, which determines the curriculum. All students everywhere in France are studying the same lessons at pretty much the same time.
The city has strong formal axes and spaces, with many interesting buildings by famous architects. The modern buildings in Paris have essentially evolved from the ancient ones. Paris architecture and design can be conveniently divided according to their period of construction. Paris is divided into 20 arrondissments, but neighborhoods are easier to define by their central monuments.
Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. Sightseeing is an endless pleasure in Paris, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Since the Middle Ages, kings and presidents of France have built magnificent monuments in Paris. The Louvre, the Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel tower and the Grande Arche are pure marvels. The church also contributed greatly to Paris beauty with Notre-Dame, the Sacré-Coeur and Sainte-Chapelle.
The Louvre museum, with flagship Mona Lisa painting, is the best known. As one of the finest and largest arts museums in the world, it deserves special attention. It was established in 1793, and is one of the oldest museums in Europe. The splendid collection of impressionist paintings at the Orsay museum also attracts many visitors. The museum contains 2300 paintings, 1500 sculptures and 1000 other objects that covers a period from mid 19th century till mid 20th centuries. The Centre Pompidou, the French National Modern Arts Museum, has a world class collection of 20th century paintings. It also features a cinema, concerts and children's activities.
Lying in the suburbs of Paris, the Château de Versailles was the symbol of the absolute monarchy espoused by Louis XIV and royal palace from 1682 to 1789, when the monarch was forced to return to Paris. It is one of the largest castles in the world and a pristine example of the French Baroque style of architecture, the Versailles park is the best example of classical French parks. The Park is decorated with statues, flower beds and water and outstanding buildings: Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, Temple de l'Amour and hamlet of Queen Marie-Antoinette.
In politics, diplomacy, architecture, landscape, urban design, cuisine, painting, decorative arts, drama, literature, music, sculpture and fashion Paris’s contributions and leadership in Western culture have been formidable for centuries.
