Chapter 16 Central Western Europe Section One France

Northern France Cities Paris- Economic, political, and cultural capital. Lille- Industrial center, factories, coal mining. Steel mills. Landforms Flat areas of land with rivers. Climate No information in the text. Economic Activities Industrial- steel , coal, manufactoring.

Southwestern France Cities Bordeaux- Busy city port and produce wine in the region. Poor soil is good for grapes. Landforms- No information provided in text. Climate Air warmer and drier in than Northern France. Economic Activities Produce, transport, sell wine.

Mediterranean France Cities Cannes- Tourist Nice- Tourist Saint-Tropez- Tourist Marseille- Tourist, large sea port Landforms Thin strip of low-lying coastal land. Climate Warm, ideal for sunbathing. Economic Activities Sea port, tourism, and large oil refineries. Export wine electronic goods and chemicals.

Eastern France Cities Alsace & Lorraine- regions of France. Landforms Rhine Valley Rhine River Climate No information Economic Activities Large deposits of iron ore. Coal mining Major port called Strasbourg along the Rhine River.

Southern France Cities No major cites Landforms Massif Central and Alps- Mountain ranges Alps- As high as 15,000 feet. Rhone River Climate Cold and snowy in the winter. Magnificent wildflowers in the summer. Economic Activities Skiing

Understanding the Past: Cooperation and Conflict Originally called Gaul, when the Romans conquered it in the first century B.C. The Romans ruled Gaul for 500 years. The people of Gaul adopted the Roman alphabet and Latin language. They also embraced the Christian religion under the leadership of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. The Franks took over and gave France its name. Charlemagne, a Frankish king ruled the Holy Roman Empire from France from 768 to 814A.D. By the tenth century nobles had most of the power. By 1589, kings had reclaimed power and ruled until 1789. The French Revolution followed, then Napoleon, and eventually a republic. In the 20th century France was overrun in WWI & WWII.

Language and Culture: One Country, One Language Before the 1500’s, the French language was spoken only in and around Paris. As French kings expanded their rule to include all of modern France, they insisted that everyone speak the same French language. Today French is the national language. The French Academy, established in 1635, must approve all new French words to ensure the purity of the French language. Dialect- variations to a language that are unique to a region or community.

Cultural Identity France boasts many intellectual and artistic achievements. Famous French philosophers, painters, and fashion designers are known the world over. Descartes, Sartre, Voltaire, Monet, and Renoir to name just a few. Impressionism- School of art that sought to capture fleeting visual impressions made by color, light, and shadows. Paris is home to many art galleries, museums, theatres, ballets, operas, orchestras, and cinemas.

France Today Following World War II, France has developed a mixed economy. Some businesses have been nationalized and others privatized. Nationalize- to bring something under state control. France is wealthy and is a leader in worldwide exports. Today, France struggles with its North African, Muslim immigrant population. They have been the focus of racial and religious tensions.