Paris (pronounced /?pær?s/ in English; [pa?i] (help·info) in French) is the capital of France and the country’s largest city. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (also known as the “Paris Region”; French: Région parisienne). The city of Paris, within its limits largely unchanged since 1860, has an estimated population of 2,167,994 (January 2006),[5] but the Paris aire urbaine (or metropolitan area) has a population of over 11 million,[6] and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe.[7]

An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world’s leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world’s major global cities.[8] According to 2005 estimates, the Paris urban area is Europe’s biggest city economy,[9] and is fifth in the world’s list of cities by GDP.[10]

Paris and the Paris Region, with €533.6 billion (US$731.3 billion) in 2007, produces more than a quarter of the gross domestic product (GDP) of France.[11] The Paris Region hosts 38 of the Fortune Global 500 companies[12] in several business districts, notably La Défense, the largest purpose-built business district in Europe.[13] Paris also hosts many international organizations such as UNESCO, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the informal Paris Club.