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Paris has many different nicknames, but its most famous is 'The
City of Light' known in French as La Ville-Lumière. This is the nickname it was
given both for its fame as a centre of education and ideas, plus its early adoption of
street lighting.
Paris since the early 20th century has also been
known in Parisian slang as Paname, which is a slang name that has been regaining
popularity with the younger people in recent years.
Paris's inhabitants are known in English as "Parisians
The City of Paris has an estimated population of 2,153,600 within its administrative
limits. However, the Paris unite urbaine is an area of unbroken urban growth that
extends well beyond the administrative city limits and has an estimated population of over
9,500,000. A commuter belt completes the Paris aire urbaine that, with its
population of an estimated 12,000,000 is one of the most populated areas of its kind in
Europe.
Paris is one of the world's leading business and cultural centres and has been an
important settlement for more than two millennia, plus with its many influences including
fashion, the arts, media, entertainment,
science, education and politics, not forgetting the incredible French cuisine that can be
found in many restaurants around Paris,
then of course you have the French wines to taste as well,
that have all contributed to making its status as one of the world's major global cities.
The Paris Region is the centre of economic activity within France and would you believe
it, produced more than a quarter of the gross domestic product of France in the year 2006.
La Defense has become the largest
purpose-built business district in Europe and it is home to the head offices of almost
half of the major French companies. But the head offices of 15 of the world's
largest companies are also based in this area.
Paris also plays host to many different international organisations such as UNESCO and the
ICC.
Paris has become one of the most popular tourist
destinations in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year.
The city plays host to numerous landmarks such as the Eiffel
Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and The Champs-Elysees, to name but a few, plus
popular places like Disneyland Paris Resort.
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