Paris is the capital and largest city of France in terms of population. It is located on the banks of the Seine River in the northern part of the country in the heart of the Ile-de-France region. Its population reached 2,243,833 in 2019 within its administrative scope only, while the population of the city and its suburbs exceeds 12 million. Paris remained an extremely important region for over two millennia, and by the turn of the 12th century, Paris had become a European center of finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, science, and the arts, and the largest city in the Western world until the early 18th century. Paris has been the scene of many important political events throughout history, such as the French Revolution. At present, it is one of the largest economic and cultural centers with significant influence in politics, science, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts, making it one of the world's major cities.
The city's gross domestic product is €607 billion ($845 billion), one of the world's largest cities. Paris is one of the world's leading tourist destinations as it is the headquarters of most French companies.
Paris has a variety of museums, theaters and monuments built over the centuries, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. Paris is one of the largest art centers in the world, with a large number of museums that include paintings by the most prominent international artists. The city's cuisine also has an international reputation, attracting world-famous chefs. Paris and its suburbs include the most prestigious French schools and universities, as well as the headquarters of the largest French newspapers, such as: Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Liberation. Paris is the home of Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, as well as the Stade de France, which was built to host the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The city also hosts the Roland Garros tennis tournament.
Paris is distinguished by the diversity and quality of transportation. The city has two major international airports, Charles de Gaulle International Airport and Paris Orly Airport. The Paris metro, which opened in 1900, serves about 9 million passengers daily.