Paris the capital of France and the most populous city of France. It has an area of 105 km² and a population of 2,229,621. In 2013 within the city limits. Paris is both a commune and department, and forms the centre and headquarters of the France, or Paris Region,which has an area of 12,012 square kilometers and a population in 2014 of 12,005,077, comprising the 18.2 percent bof the population of France. Paris was founded in the 3rd century BC by a Celtic people called the Parisii, who gave the city name by its. By the time of 12th century, Paris was the largest city in the western world, and a prosperous trading center, and the home of the University of Paris, one of the oldest and best universities in history.