Paris, the capital of France, is located in northern France on both banks of the Seine River, 145km from the river’s mouth on the English Channel. A total of 2, 135, 300 inhabitants live in Paris proper, and almost 11 million persons live in greater Paris, which is one of Europe’s largest metropolitan areas. A city of world importance and the business, historic, intellectual, diplomatic, religious, educational, artistic, and tourist center of France, Paris owes its prosperity in large part to its favorable position on the Seine, which has been a major commercial artery since the Roman period. Paris, the capital of France, is located in northern France on both banks of the Seine River, 145km from the river’s mouth on the English Channel. A total of 2, 135, 300 inhabitants live in Paris proper, and almost 11 million persons live in greater Paris, which is one of Europe’s largest metropolitan areas. A city of world importance and the business, historic, intellectual, diplomatic, religious, educational, artistic, and tourist center of France, Paris owes its prosperity in large part to its favorable position on the Seine, which has been a major commercial artery since the Roman period.