Paris
105.4 km2 (40.7 sq mi)
| |
- Ranking
| |
- Density
|
20,980 /km2 (54,300 /sq mi)
|
2,845 km2 (1,098 sq mi) (2010)
| |
- Population
| |
17,175 km2 (6,631 sq mi) (2010)
| |
- Population
| |
CET (UTC +1)
|
Paris is the capital of and largest city in France. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (or Paris Region, French: Région parisienne). The city of Paris, within its administrative limit largely unchanged since 1860, has an estimated population of 2,211,297 (January 2008), but the Paris metropolitan area has a population of 12,089,098 (January 2008), and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe. Paris was the largest city in the Western world for about 1,000 years, prior to the 19th century, and the largest in the entire world between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influences in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion,science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. It hosts the headquarters of many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the International Chamber of Commerce or the informal Paris Club. Paris is considered one of the greenest and most liveable cities in Europe. It is also one of the most expensive.
Paris and the Paris Region, with €552.1 billion (US$768.9 billion) in 2009, produce more than a quarter of the gross domestic product of France. According to 2008 estimates, the Paris agglomeration is Europe's biggest or second biggest city economy and the sixth largest in the world. The Paris Region hosts the headquarters of 33 of the Fortune Global 500 companies, the highest such concentration in Europe, hosted in several business districts, notably La Défense, the largest dedicated business district in Europe. The Paris region has the highest concentration of higher education students in the European Union, is the first in Europe in terms of research and development capability and expenditure and is considered one of the best cities in the world for innovation.[24] With about 42 million tourists annually in the city and its suburbs, Paris is the most visited city in the world. The city and its region contain 3,800 historical monuments and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[23]
Geography
Paris is located in the north-bending arc of the river Seine and includes two islands, the Île Saint-Louis and the larger Île de la Cité, which form the oldest part of the city. Overall, the city is relatively flat, and the lowest point is 35 m (115 ft) above sea level. Paris has several prominent hills, of which the highest isMontmartre at 130 m (427 ft)
Excluding the outlying parks of Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, Paris covers an oval measuring 86.928 km2 (34 sq mi) in area.[citation needed] The city's last major annexation of outlying territories in 1860 not only gave it its modern form but also created the twenty clockwise-spiralling arrondissements(municipal boroughs). From the 1860 area of 78 km2 (30 sq mi), the city limits were expanded marginally to 86.9 km2 (34 sq mi) in the 1920s. In 1929, theBois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes forest parks were officially annexed to the city, bringing its area to the present 105.39 km2 (41 sq mi).
Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) is the symbol of Paris, one of the most visited tourist attractions and the best known tower in the world.
The Eiffel Tower is 300 meters (984 ft) tall and was designed by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exibition of 1889 and stirred great controversy among the Paris citizens. After its opening the intellectuals of Paris gathered to protest against the grotesque Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world until 1931 when the Empire State building inNew York was built. Gustave Eiffel also constructed the framework of the Statue of Liberty in New York City.
The Eiffel Tower is made of iron and has three observation levels, all accessible by elevators. The first level is at 57 meters (187 ft) and has a post office. The second level features a restaurant and is at 115 meters (376 ft) and the third level is at 276 meters (905 ft) and has observation deck that can hold 800 people. During the summer it gets very crowded and the wait can be as much as an hour per level.
The Eiffel Tower is 300 meters (984 ft) tall and was designed by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exibition of 1889 and stirred great controversy among the Paris citizens. After its opening the intellectuals of Paris gathered to protest against the grotesque Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world until 1931 when the Empire State building inNew York was built. Gustave Eiffel also constructed the framework of the Statue of Liberty in New York City.
The Eiffel Tower is made of iron and has three observation levels, all accessible by elevators. The first level is at 57 meters (187 ft) and has a post office. The second level features a restaurant and is at 115 meters (376 ft) and the third level is at 276 meters (905 ft) and has observation deck that can hold 800 people. During the summer it gets very crowded and the wait can be as much as an hour per level.
La Madeleine is a temple dedicated to Mary Magdalene and was built by Napoleon to celebrate the military glory despite the proposals to convert the building into library or parliament. Napoleon wanted to create a mirror building of the Palais Bourbon which is on the opposite side of the river Seine and both buildings have similar design.
La Madeleine was designed by Pierre Vignon in 1806 and was consecrated in 1845. The majestic building has 64 Corinthian columns and the bronze doors were created by Henri de Triqueti.
La Madeleine was designed by Pierre Vignon in 1806 and was consecrated in 1845. The majestic building has 64 Corinthian columns and the bronze doors were created by Henri de Triqueti.
The Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch) is one of Paris’ main tourist attractions. It was commissioned by Napoleon after his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz and was finished in 1836.
The Arc de Triomphe was dedicated to the French army and is the home to the Unknown Soldier’s grave since 1920. The Triumphal arch is one of the most famous arches in the world. It was designed by Jean Chalgrin and it resembles the Arch of Titus in Rome.
The Triumphal arch is a monumental building 50 meter high (164 ft). The Arc de Triomphe is adorned with many reliefs and friezes depicting scenes of Napoleon’s victories and just below the roof thirty shields bear the names of his many victorious battles.
The Arc de Triomphe was dedicated to the French army and is the home to the Unknown Soldier’s grave since 1920. The Triumphal arch is one of the most famous arches in the world. It was designed by Jean Chalgrin and it resembles the Arch of Titus in Rome.
The Triumphal arch is a monumental building 50 meter high (164 ft). The Arc de Triomphe is adorned with many reliefs and friezes depicting scenes of Napoleon’s victories and just below the roof thirty shields bear the names of his many victorious battles.
Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) like Jardin des Tuileries is one of the many parks in Paris but Jardin du Luxembourg is maybe the most popular of them all.
The park is located on the Left Bank of the river Seine right next to Palais du Luxembourg. The gardens were a private park till the 19th century when were opened to the public.
Luxembourg Gardens feature octagonal basin, café, tennis court, puppet theatre and is full of people playing the boules, a typical French game where you are tossing balls on a lawn.
The park features many statues, and fountains, one of them Fontaine de l'Observatoire. The fountain’s sculpture was designed by Jean Baptiste Carpeaux in 1873 and represents the globe supported by the four continents portrayed by four women.
The park is located on the Left Bank of the river Seine right next to Palais du Luxembourg. The gardens were a private park till the 19th century when were opened to the public.
Luxembourg Gardens feature octagonal basin, café, tennis court, puppet theatre and is full of people playing the boules, a typical French game where you are tossing balls on a lawn.
The park features many statues, and fountains, one of them Fontaine de l'Observatoire. The fountain’s sculpture was designed by Jean Baptiste Carpeaux in 1873 and represents the globe supported by the four continents portrayed by four women.
Musee du Louvre is one of the largest and probably best known museums in the world.
Back in the day this was a fortress constructed in 1190 by King Philippe Auguste overlooking the river Seine. In the 16th century The Louvre was replaced with more renaissance style building created by architect Pierre Lescot. It was a palace for the next 3 centuries and today is a magnificent building with the most treasured art collection in the world.
The Louvre has on display Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) by Leonardo da Vinci, Venus de Milo, Greek statue from the 2nd century BC and many many more works of art - European paintings and sculpture from 1200 to 1850 as well as Oriental, Geek, Egyptian, and Roman art.
Back in the day this was a fortress constructed in 1190 by King Philippe Auguste overlooking the river Seine. In the 16th century The Louvre was replaced with more renaissance style building created by architect Pierre Lescot. It was a palace for the next 3 centuries and today is a magnificent building with the most treasured art collection in the world.
The Louvre has on display Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) by Leonardo da Vinci, Venus de Milo, Greek statue from the 2nd century BC and many many more works of art - European paintings and sculpture from 1200 to 1850 as well as Oriental, Geek, Egyptian, and Roman art.
Musée d’Orsay (The Orsay Museum) is one of the finest art museums in Paris. It used to be a railway station (Gare d'Orsay) built in 1900s but was abandoned in the 1930s.
In the 1970s, Gare d'Orsay was scheduled for demolition but the Parisians objected that decision and the building was saved and turned into one of the most popular museums in Paris.
During the transformation much of the original architecture was saved and now Musée d’Orsay houses art works from the 19th and 20th centuries. It has unrivaled collection of impressionist masterpieces, art nouveau, sculpture and symbolism.
The works of Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Seurat, Paul Signac and Edouard Manet are on display at Musée d’Orsay.
In the 1970s, Gare d'Orsay was scheduled for demolition but the Parisians objected that decision and the building was saved and turned into one of the most popular museums in Paris.
During the transformation much of the original architecture was saved and now Musée d’Orsay houses art works from the 19th and 20th centuries. It has unrivaled collection of impressionist masterpieces, art nouveau, sculpture and symbolism.
The works of Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Seurat, Paul Signac and Edouard Manet are on display at Musée d’Orsay.
Assemblee Nationale Palais Bourbon is today a home of the lower house of the French Parliament (Assemblee Nationale). Bourbon Palace (Palais Bourbon) was built in 1722 for the daughter of the sun King Louis XIV, the Duchesse de Bourbon.
In 1806 Corinthian columns were added to the façade to copy the La Madeleine building on the opposite end of the boulevard across the river Seine and the building got more Neoclassical feel.
In 1806 Corinthian columns were added to the façade to copy the La Madeleine building on the opposite end of the boulevard across the river Seine and the building got more Neoclassical feel.
Tuileries Gardens (Jardin des Tuileries) is like the English Garden of Paris. It used to be a royal garden of the old Tuileries Palace (Palais des Tuileries), but was opened to the public in the 16th century.
Jardin des Tuileries are located right next to Place de la Concorde. The gardens were created in the 17th century by the royal landscaper and gardener to Louis XIV, Andre Le Notre. He very successfully combined the traditional Italian garden style with the French taste of leafy sculptures made out of trees and bushes. The designs are very complicated and geometrical and create a sense of splendor and brilliance. Andre Le Notre also created the Versailles gardens.
Jardin des Tuileries features sculptures, fountains, two large basins and two museums - the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume and the Musée de l'Orangerie. Claude Monet's famous “water lilies” are on display in the Musée de l'Orangerie.
Jardin des Tuileries are located right next to Place de la Concorde. The gardens were created in the 17th century by the royal landscaper and gardener to Louis XIV, Andre Le Notre. He very successfully combined the traditional Italian garden style with the French taste of leafy sculptures made out of trees and bushes. The designs are very complicated and geometrical and create a sense of splendor and brilliance. Andre Le Notre also created the Versailles gardens.
Jardin des Tuileries features sculptures, fountains, two large basins and two museums - the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume and the Musée de l'Orangerie. Claude Monet's famous “water lilies” are on display in the Musée de l'Orangerie.
No comments:
Post a Comment