The history of Paris is long and rich, as the city has been an important political, cultural and economic center for more than 2,000 years.
Paris was founded in the 3rd century B.C. by a Celtic tribe called the Parisii, who settled on the Ile de la Cité, in the Seine River.
In the 1st century BC, Paris was conquered by the Romans and became an important commercial and cultural center. The Romans built several structures, including an amphitheater and an aqueduct, which can still be seen today.
During the Middle Ages, Paris became the capital of the Kingdom of France and many important buildings were built, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Abbey.
In the year 1789, the French Revolution broke out and Paris became the epicenter of political and social change. The Bastille, a prison that symbolized the abuse of royal power, was stormed and destroyed.
During the 19th century, Paris experienced great urban development, with the construction of avenues, parks and monuments. The Eiffel Tower was built for the Universal Exposition of 1889.
Paris suffered the horrors of both world wars, and was occupied by the Nazis during World War II.
Since the end of World War II, Paris has undergone a great transformation, becoming a cosmopolitan and modern city. Today, it is a city of global importance in terms of culture, tourism and business.
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