Overview of ParisGeographyGeographical Synthesis Paris is in nothern central France and the metropolitan area of the city is 890 square miles. By road, it is 450 kilometers (280 mi) southeast of London, 287 kilometers (178 mi) south of Calais, 305 kilometers (190 mi) southwest of Brussels, 774 kilometers (481 mi) north of Marseille, 385 kilometers (239 mi) northeast of Nantes, and 135 kilometers (84 mi) southeast of Rouen. Paris is located in the north-bending arc of the river Seine and includes two islands, the Île Saint-Louis and the larger Île de la Cité, which form the oldest part of the city. The river's mouth on the English Channel (La Manche) is about 233 mi (375 km) downstream from the city. The city is spread widely on both banks of the river. Excluding the outlying parks of Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, Paris covers an oval measuring about 34 square miles in area, enclosed by the 35 km ring road, the Boulevard Périphérique. The city's last major annexation of outlying territories in 1860 not only gave it its modern form but also created the 20 clockwise-spiraling arrondissements (municipal boroughs). From the 1860 area of 30 square miles, the city limits were expanded marginally to 33.6 square miles in the 1920s. In 1929, the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes Forest Parks were officially annexed to the city, bringing its area to about 41 square miles. The weather in Paris has a typical Western European oceanic climate. Throughout the year, the temperature is mild and moderately wet. Summer days are usually warm and pleasant with average temperatures between 15 and 25 °C (59 and 77 °F), and a fair amount of sunshine. The Seine flows for about 8 miles (13 km) through the center of the city and 10 of the 20 arrondissements. It enters the city at the southeast corner, flows northwestward, and turns gradually southwestward, eventually leaving Paris at the southwest corner. As a result, what starts out as the stream's east bank becomes its north bank and ends as the west bank, and the Parisians therefore adopted the simple, unchanging designation of Right Bank and Left Bank (when facing downstream). Specific places, however, are usually indicated by arrondissement or by quarter (quartier). More information about the geography of Paris can be found Here Feedback We welcome any questions, feedback, or suggestions you may have regarding this website or other resources. Please contact us. |
