Paris: matching headings

Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated in the north-central part of the country. People were living on the site of the present-day city, located along the Seine River by about 7600 BC. The modern city has spread far beyond both banks of the Seine. Paris is by far the country’s most important centre of commerce and culture. The area of the city is 41 square miles (105 square km); the population of Paris and its suburbs is approximately 10 million people.

For centuries Paris has been one of the world’s most important and attractive cities. It is appreciated for the opportunities it offers for business and commerce, for study, culture, and entertainment; its gastronomy, haute couture, painting, literature, and intellectual community especially enjoy an enviable reputation. It is called the City of Light and it lives up to its reputation being an important centre for education and intellectual pursuits.

Paris is situated at a crossroads of both water and land routes significant not only to France but also to Europe. It has had a continuing influence on its growth. Under Roman administration, in the 1st century BC, the original site on the Île de la Cité was designated the capital of the territory. Under King Hugh Capet (ruled 987 ${\displaystyle –}$ 996), the preeminence of Paris was firmly established, and Paris became a political and cultural hub as modern France took shape.

Paris is located on the western side of Europe and in a plain relatively close to the sea. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, it has a fairly temperate climate. The weather can be very changeable, however, especially in the winter and spring, when the wind can be sharp and cold. The annual average temperature is roughly 12 °C; the July average is about 19 °C, and the January average is about 3 °C. The temperature drops below freezing for about a month each year, and snow falls on such days.

At the eastern end of the Île de la Cité we can see the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. It is situated on a spot that Parisians have always reserved for the practice of religious rites. Like all cathedrals in France, Notre-Dame is the property of the state, although its operation as a religious institution is left entirely to the Roman Catholic Church. The cathedral looks stunning. It is certainly the most famous landmark in Paris, attracting millions of tourists each year.

In 1850, Paris had approximately 600,000 inhabitants. It then grew rapidly as industrial expansion attracted a constant stream of people from the provinces. By 1870, the population had surpassed 1,000,000, and by 1931 the conurbation contained some 5,000,000 people, more than half of them living in the city of Paris, the administrative city within the old gates. After World War II, this growth continued, and in the early 21st century Greater Paris had over 10 million people.

Paris is not only the political and cultural capital of France but also its major financial and commercial centre. It is a very wealthy city, home to many vast private fortunes, both of French and foreign origin. It serves as the base for numerous international business concerns, and even if large French firms have their manufacturing plants in the provinces, nearly all keep their headquarters in Paris, conveniently close to major banks and key ministries.