The city of Paris is practically synonymous with France.

It’s not only the seat of government, but also the country’s capital of commerce,

culture, and tourism.

So, what is the history of this iconic city?

Well, the origins of Paris can be traced back to 250 BC, when a Gallic Tribe called “Parisii”

settled on an island in the middle of the Seine River.

After the island became a popular trading hub, the Romans took over around 52 BC, and

expanded it along the left bank building baths, forums and amphitheaters.

By the end of the 12th century and long after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Paris

became the center of France.

The area to the right of the Seine River, better known as the Right Bank, grew into

a thriving business hub, while the Left Bank earned a reputation as the intellectual district,

housing the University of Paris.

In the late 18th Century, just after the French Revolution, infamous military commander Napoleon

Bonaparte seized power.

Over the course of about a decade, he improved Paris’ infrastructure and, to celebrate

France’s military achievements, erected a number of iconic monuments, including the

Arc de Triomphe.

His nephew and heir, Napoleon III, built out the city even more, creating wide boulevards,

a huge opera house, a central market, public parks and a sewer system.

He also divided Paris into twenty arrondissements, or districts, and expanded it to its current

limits.

The city’s newfound prominence made it an ideal host for multiple world’s fairs, attracting

huge numbers of visitors.

These symposiums led to the construction of the Eiffel Tower, Paris Metro and the Grand

Palace.

By this time, the city’s population had grown to nearly three million people, attracting

artists and aristocrats from around the world.

Paris was the city of choice for painters like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Henri

Matisse, as well as writers, like James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott

Fitzgerald.

Fauvism, cubism, Impressionism and abstract art all saw their beginnings in Paris.

Today, greater Paris is home to roughly 12 million people, or nearly 20 percent of France’s

total population.

There’s no question that Paris plays a decisive role in making France the most visited country

in the world.

The city remains a hub for food, commerce and culture, with world-renowned destinations

like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Luxembourg Gardens and the Champs Elysees.

The Eiffel Tower alone sees more than seven million tourists every year.

Tourism has, in part, made the city an economic powerhouse.

At nearly $700 billion dollars, Paris’s GDP surpasses even the entire country of Saudi

Arabia.

Paris’ enduring popularity and rich history make it one of the most sought-after, and

perhaps most romantic, cities in the world.

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With its large population and booming economy, there’s no question Paris is one of the

most dominant cities in Europe.

But what about France as a whole?

How Powerful is France?

Find out in this video.

France is also a full NATO member and a founding member of the European Union, and they hold

a lot of influence over the world's economy.

14 African nations use a form of currency called the CFA Franc, which has direct ties

to France's national bank.

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