An important settlement
for more than two millennia, Paris had become, by the 12th
century, one of Europe's foremost centres of learning and the
arts and the largest city in the Western world until the 18th
century. Paris is today one of the world's leading business and
cultural centres, and its influences in politics, education,
entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all
contribute to its status as one of the world's major global
cities. It hosts the headquarters of many international
organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the International Chamber
of Commerce and the European Space Agency. Paris is considered
one of the greenest and most liveable cities in Europe. It is
also one of the most expensive cities.
Paris and the Paris
Region, with €572.4 billion in 2010, produce more than a
quarter of the gross domestic product of France and is, after
London, Europe's second biggest city economy and one of the
largest in the world. The Paris region is the first in Europe in
terms of research and development capability and expenditure and
through its 17 universities and 55 grandes écoles has the
highest concentration of higher education students in the
European Union. With about 42 million tourists annually in the
city and its suburbs, Paris is the most visited city in the
world. The city and its region contain 3,800 historical monuments
and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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