France is the largest country of Western Europe in area. It covers about 213,000 square miles (552,000 square kilometers).

Paris, the capital and largest city of France, is one of the world's great cities. A world capital of art and learning. Many great artists have produced their finest masterpieces there. Every year, millions of tourists visit such famous Paris landmarks as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre - one of the largest art museums in the world.

There is much more to France than just Paris, however. The snow-capped Alps form the border between France and Italy. Sunny beaches and steep cliffs stretch along the French coast on the Mediterranean Sea. Fishing villages dot the Atlantic coast of northwestern France. The peaceful, wooded Loire Valley has many historic chateaux. Colorful apple orchards, dairy farms, and vineyards lie throughout much of the countryside.

Famous for their enjoyment of life, good food and good wine are an important part of everyday living for most French people. The wines of France are considered the best in the world. Almost every restaurant and area has at least one special recipe of its own. The delicious breads, appetizers, sauces, soups, and desserts of France are copied by cooks in most parts of the world.

France has a long and colorful history. Julius Caesar conquered the region. When Rome fell, the Franks and other Germanic tribes invaded the region. France was named for the Franks. By the A.D. 800's, the mighty Charlemagne, king of the Franks, had built the area into a huge kingdom. In 1792, during the French Revolution, France became one of the first nations to overthrow its king and set up a republic. Napoleon Bonaparte conquered much of Europe before he finally was defeated. During World Wars I and II, France was a bloody battleground for Allied armies and the invading German forces.