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Paris is the capital city of France. Situated on the banks of the river Seine in north-central France, it is also the capital of the France region (also known as "Paris Region"), which encompasses Paris and its suburbs. Paris had an estimated mid-2004 population of 2,144,700.The Paris urban area, extending well beyond the city boundaries, has today an estimated population of 9.93 million.The Paris metropolitan area (including satellite towns) stood at 11.5 million in 1999 and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe.
The Paris region is France's centre of economic activity. It produces more than a quarter of France's wealth, with a GDP of €478.7 billion (US$595.3 billion) in 2005.With La Defense, the largest purpose-built business district in Europe, the Paris urban area (unite urbaine) also hosts the head offices of almost half of the major French companies, as well as the offices of major international firms. Paris is a leading cultural, business and political centre and has an influence in fashion, gastronomy and the arts.It is regarded as one of the major global cities,with the headquarters of international organisations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the ICC, or the informal Paris Club.
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