Capital of France: Paris
The capital of France is Paris. France sits in Europe, has a population of 64,626,628, and uses the EUR. Official languages include French.
Quick facts
- Capital: Paris
- Continent: Europe
- Population: ~64,626,628
- Area: 643,801 km²
- Population density: 100 people per km²
- Official language: French
- Currency: EUR
- ISO code: FR
How big is France?
By population, France ranks 23rd in the world, holding roughly 0.81% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 42nd.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. France has 100 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Europe, France is the 4th most populous country of 46.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to France in population are Tanzania (65,497,748) and United Kingdom (66,971,395).
By land area, its closest counterparts are South Sudan (644,329 km²) and Somalia (637,657 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
French is spoken officially in 30 countries in this dataset, including Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi and Cameroon, and 24 others.
The EUR is not unique to France — it is also used by Andorra, Austria, Belgium and Croatia, and 21 others. Shared currencies usually mark a monetary union or a long-standing peg, and they are a useful shortcut in quizzes: get one country's currency and you often get several.
France in Europe
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Russia, Germany, United Kingdom and Italy.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Europe is the block France belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for France and a page on the flag of France.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of France?
The capital of France is Paris.
What is the population of France?
About 64,626,628, making it the 23rd most populous country in the world.
How big is France?
643,801 square kilometres, ranking 42nd by land area, at a density of 100 people per square kilometre.
What currency does France use?
The EUR, shared with 25 other countries.