Paris is the capital and most populous city of France. With an official estimated population of 2,102,650 residents as of 1 January 2023 in an area of more than 105 km2 (41 sq mi), Paris is the fourth-most populated city in the European Union and the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2022. Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of the world's major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, culture, fashion, and gastronomy. For its leading role in the arts and sciences, as well as its early and extensive system of street lighting, in the 19th century, it became known as the City of Light.
Image: La Tour Eiffel vue de la Tour Saint Jacques, Paris août 2014 (2)
Image: 04 2017. Notre Dame de Paris 71
Image: Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre, Paris 18e 140223 2
Image: Paris Pantheon Facade
A capital city or just capital is the municipality holding primary status in a country, state, province, department, or other subnational division, usually as its seat of the government. A capital is typically a city that physically encompasses the government's offices and meeting places; the status as capital is often designated by its law or constitution. In some jurisdictions, including several countries, different branches of government are in different settlements, sometimes meaning multiple official capitals. In some cases, a distinction is made between the official (constitutional) capital and the seat of government, which is in another place.
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world
Rome, as the capital of the Roman Empire, acquired the nickname of Caput Mundi ("Capital of the world").
Beijing, as the last of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, has served as the country's political centre for most of the past eight centuries.
Tehran, the capital and largest city of Iran, and the capital of the Persian Empires in the last two centuries.
