France is a country in western Europe. It is Europe's third largest country in area. Only Russia and Ukraine have more land. France's capital and largest city is Paris, one of the world's great cities. For hundreds of years, Paris has been a world center 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 Paris, however. The snow-capped Alps in the southeastern part of the country form the border between France and Italy. Sunny beaches and steep cliffs stretch along the southern coast on the Mediterranean Sea. Fishing villages dot the Atlantic coast of northwestern France. The peaceful, wooded Loire Valley of central France has many historic chateaux (castles). Colorful apple orchards, dairy farms, and vineyards lie throughout much of the countryside. Many regions have fields of wheat.

The French are famous for their enjoyment of life. Good food and good wine are an important part of everyday living for most French people. The delicious breads, appetizers, sauces, soups, and desserts of France are copied by cooks in most parts of the world. The wines of France are considered the world's best.

France has a long and colorful history. Julius Caesar and his Roman soldiers conquered the region more than 2,000 years ago. In the late part of the A.D. 400's, after Rome fell, the Franks and other Germanic tribes invaded the region. France was named for the Franks. By the A.D. 800's, Charlemagne, the king of the Franks, had built the area into a huge kingdom.