Penang

Penang is a state in Malaysia, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite.




The Betul Nut Tale

Before Penang, the Pearl of the Orient, was known to the world as a beautiful, exotic holiday destination, she was Pulau Pinang – a virgin paradise that got her name from the abundance of betel nut palms scattered across her soft, sandy beaches.

Literally translated, Pulau Pinang means the “Isle of the Betel Nut” in Malay – Malaysia's national language. Steeped in history, “Penang” was born when charismatic English captain Francis Light persuaded the Sultan of Kedah to cede Pulau Pinang to the British East India Company.

In 1786, Light landed on what is known as the scenic Esplanade today. Local folklore tells of how he fired gold coins into the surrounding jungle to induce his men to clear the area. Fourteen years later, the Sultan of Kedah further ceded a strip of land on the mainland across the channel to a very persuasive Light.

The state of Penang then comprised of an island originally named Prince of Wales Island, after George V, and the strip on the mainland which was christened Province Wellesley, after the Governor of India. The former was later named George Town, after King George III.

In 1832, Penang formed part of the Straits Settlement with Malacca and Singapore. The Penang maritime port was among the busiest in the region, attracting rich merchants involved in the lucrative trade of tea, spices, porcelain and cloth.

Settlers and fortune-seekers from the all over called Penang home and it was from this interesting mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Siamese (to name a few) cultures that Penang became a melting pot for hybrid communities – the most famous being the Baba Nyonya, Jawi Peranakan and Eurasians.

For more than a century, the major trading post remained under British colonial rule until 1957, when Malaysia gained independence. George Town was accorded city status by Queen Elizabeth II on January 1, 1957, thereby becoming the first town in the Federation of Malay – after Singapore – to become a city.

Although she is Malaysia's electric and electronic manufacturing hub, Penang has successfully retained her old world charm. As recognition of her rich heritage, George Town, together with Malacca, was listed as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

Geography

Situated along the north-western coast of the peninsula, Penang is Malaysia’s only “island state”. Locals are fondly known as Penangites, many of whom will proudly tell you that the state comprising a population of approximately 1.5 million, is a close-knit community of diverse ethnicities, cultures and dialects.

One of Malaysia’s premier holiday destinations, the 285km2 island is separated from Seberang Prai (formerly Province Wellesley) – a hinterland of 737km2 on the mainland, by a narrow 3km channel.

You can either cross the channel via the iconic Penang Bridge or by the ferry – the latter being a “must experience” simply because it is synonymous with holidaying here. Soon, visitors will have the option of using the new Second Penang Bridge which is expected to be completed in 2011.

Cities

The Island

• Georgetown - The capital of Penang; a favorite spot for tourists as it has many quaint pre-Second World War houses, as well as 19th century churches, temples, mosques, and colonial buildings. The city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008.
• Batu Ferringhi - Located on the north coast, with white sandy beaches, luxurious hotels & restaurants. A favorite spot for both locals & tourists.
• Bayan Lepas - Penang's main electronic manufacturing area and location of its international airport.
• Balik Pulau - Literally "Back of The Island" in Malay; a small agricultural centre surrounded by Malay villages, fruit plantations, and padi fields.

Peninsula

• Butterworth - The mainland gateway to Penang.
• Bukit Mertajam - The capital of Seberang Perai Tengah district.
• Bandar Perda - A new town of Seberang Perai Tengah which is 20 minutes from Butterworth & 15 minutes from Penang Bridge.
• Nibong Tebal - The capital of Seberang Perai Selatan district.
• Simpang Ampat - A small town in the district of Seberang Perai Selatan, famous for its nearby seafood at Bukit Tambun and Batu Kawan.
• Seberang Jaya - Satellite township in the district of Seberang Perai Tengah.
• Tasek Gelugor - A small town which is 20 minutes from Butterworth.

What to See

1. All the major heritage buildings and clanhouses in the George Town inner city!
2. Thee Kong Tua (Jade Emperor’s Temple) in Air Itam
3. Penang Hill
4. Kek Lok Si Temple
5. Reclining Buddha (Wat Chayamangkalaram)
6. National Park (Muka Head)
7. Toy Museum
8. Tropical Spice Garden (it’s the only spice garden in South East Asia)
9. Snake Temple
10. Butterfly Farm
    

The Economy

From the 1970s to the late 1990s, the state’s Free Trade Zone in the Bayan Lepas area was one of Asia’s largest electrical and electronics manufacturing bases. The area south of the island is now the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone. Key exports include electrical and electronic products, semi-conductors, computer products, medical devices, textiles, gold and jewellery.

Penang’s medical tourism and education sectors continue to grow steadily as the state’s industrial sector moves towards high-end manufacturing activities and up the value-chain. The service sector driven by knowledge-based workers is the next frontier as the state focuses on research and development and innovation.

The People and the Language

Penangites comprise mainly of three main ethnicities – the Chinese, Malays and Indians. Penang is the only state in Malaysia with an ethnic Chinese majority which explains why many Chinese cultural and religious festivals are celebrated here on a large scale.

Nonetheless, the Malay and Indian communities' influence form the very essence of the state and this is evident in many of the buildings, food and local dialects.

Although Bahasa Malaysia or Malay is the national language, English is widely spoken here. Many tourists are surprised and impressed by the level of proficiency.

What makes Penang unique however, is the Hokkien dialect spoken by the Chinese community. Unlike in other states, the more popular Cantonese and Mandarin take a backseat to the unique Hokkien dialect brought here by the early Chinese settlers from the Fujian Province in China.

Penangites are a friendly lot and are more than happy to share their knowledge on local customs and must see places – indeed, nothing beats a local's perspective!

The Weather

Sunny weather beckons all year round (well, almost!). Except for the monsoon months from August to October, it is bright and cheerful in Penang. However, travelers not used to Asia’s hot and humid climate should pack a cap, water bottle and cool pair of shades when out exploring!

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How to get there

By plane

Recently refurbished Penang Bayan Lepas International Airport (IATA: PEN) is one of Malaysia's larger and better-equipped airports, operated by Malaysia Airports. The airport is connected to virtually all of Malaysia's major cities via domestic airlines Air Asia, Firefly and Malaysia Airlines, and also has frequent service to nearby international hubs including Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Medan (Indonesia) and Singapore. Firefly also operates direct flights to the Thai resort of Phuket.

The airport is on the southeastern coast of the island, some 20 minutes from Georgetown. Contact number:+60 4 643-4411

By train

There are no trains on Penang Island, but many people take the train to Butterworth from elsewhere on the peninsula and then use the ferry (within walking distance from the train terminal) to cross over to the island. You can book the KTMB train tickets at the Penang ferry terminal or the railway station in Butterworth. Contact numbers:

• Penang jetty +60 4 261-0290
• Butterworth +60 4 323-7962 / 331-2796
• Bukit Mertajam +60 4 539-2660

From Thailand:

An overnight train departs Bangkok daily at 2:45PM (Thai time). It is scheduled to arrive at Butterworth at 12:55PM (Malaysian time) but normally gets there late, usually around 2-2:30PM. There is only one fare for an air-con berth that costs 1,210 baht (as of July 2008). The surcharge for a bicycle is 104 baht to the border; a further small freight charge may be made by KTMB for the border-Butterworth leg.

By car

Penang is connected to the mainland and the North-South Expressway by the Penang Bridge one of the longest bridges in Asia.

Toll rate: For vehicles heading to the island from the mainland:

• Motorcycles - RM1.40
• Motorcycles with sidecars; commercial vehicles on three wheels; car including station wagon - RM7.00 (RM5.60 for those who hold the Touch 'n Go card that can be purchased from the Penang Bridge toll plaza)
• Lorries; vans and buses with two axles and four wheels - RM12.00
• Lorries, vans and buses with two axles and five or six wheels - RM25.00
• Vehicles with three axles - RM45.00
• Vehicles with four axles - RM60.00
• Vehicle with five or more axles - RM75.00

No toll for vehicles heading to the mainland.

By bus

Long-distance buses connect Georgetown to a variety of Malaysian towns. The trip from Pudu Raya, Kuala Lumpur costs around RM 27 (standard 26-seat coach; prices vary by operator) and takes around 5-6 hours. Buses to/from Kota Bharu and Perhentian Islands (Jerteh/Kuala Besut) cost about 26 RM for a 5-6 hours journey. From Johor Bahru in 10h for RM 50. The buses arrive/depart at the new bus terminal at Sungai Nibong, a fifteen-minute ride from the center of Georgetown, and about ten minutes from the airport. From here, a taxi ride to the KOMTAR building costs around RM15-20.

Major coach operators:

• Konsortium
• Plusliner / Nice
• Transnasional
• Mutiara

By minivan

Minivans service is available between Georgetown and some towns in Thailand such as Ko Phi Phi, Phuket, Trang, Surat Thani, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Bangkok and Hat Yai on daily basis. Georgetown office is located at KOMTAR bus terminal. Tourist operators usually propose minivan services to the perhentian islands for about 160 RM (boat included). Express buses fares are much better.

By boat

From the mainland The classic way to arrive in Penang, especially if traveling by train, is to take the ferry from Butterworth. The ferry service operator is Penang Port and its operation hour is 5:30AM till 1:00AM (Last departure) daily.

Ferry rates applicable (from Butterworth to Penang Island) are listed below:

• Pedestrian: Adult - RM1.20 & Children (between 5 to 12 years old) - RM0.60

• Vehicles: Bicycle - RM1.40, Motorcycle (inclusive of pillion rider) - RM2.00, Trishaw/tricycle - RM3.00, Motorcar (including station wagon, four-wheel drive, three-wheel commercial vehicle, motorcycle with side car) - RM7.70, Lorry (2 axles with 4 wheels) - RM13.20, Lorry (2 axles with 6 wheels) - RM27.50.

From Langkawi

• Ferry service available from Langkawi Jeti (Jetty) to Penang at 2:30PM and 5:15PM on daily basis. Operated by Langkawi Ferry Services, Tel: +60 4 264-2088 in Penang; +60 4 966-3779 in Langkawi. One-way trip costs RM60 for adult, RM45 for child (3-11 years old) and RM25 for infant (below 2 years old). Return trip costs RM115, RM85 and RM50 respectively. Single trip takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Advance booking can be made via the web site. Credit cards are not accepted at the terminal, although there are numerous ATMs in the attached shopping mall. The ferry in service is very old and offers no facilities other than simple air-conditioned seating. There is no access to the top, meaning thereby that no sight-seeing on the way is available. There is proper locked storage for luggage at the rear of the ship upon boarding. There is no restaurant. Check-in is at least 30mins before scheduled departure time.

Penang Port also operates Swenttenham Pier on Penang island to handle some of the largest cruise vessels in the world. The following are fleets that routinely stopover at Swenttenham Pier:

• SuperStar Virgo and SuperStar Gemini operated by Star Cruises

• Pacific Sky operated by P&O Cruises

From Medan, Indonesia

• Ferries depart from Medan's port of Belawan to Swenttenham Port or vice versa at 9AM daily. Operated by Langkawi Ferry Services, Tel: +60 4 264-2088 in Penang; +62 61 452-1666 / 452-7555 in Medan. Oneway trip costs RM110 for adult, RM60 for child (3-12 years old) and RM40 for infant (below 3-year old); return trip costs RM180, RM100 and RM50 respectively. Travel duration is about 5 hours 30 minutes.

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Getting Around

Trishaw, taxi, rented car, motorcycle and bicycle or public bus – you choose. Of course there various modes of transportation in the state but it really depends on where you are planning to visit.

If it is within the George Town UNESCO Heritage Site you want to explore, the trishaw is a good bet because all the famous landmarks are just a stone’s throw away from each other. Besides its quaint charm, the trishaw ride is relaxing and a great way to take in the sights. If you would rather walk or cycle, the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) has a great heritage trail you can embark on.

To travel around the island, the air conditioned Rapid Penang public bus service is quite reliable and their drivers are a helpful lot. Just make sure you have a comprehensive map in hand!

You can also opt to rent a motorcycle or car or hire a taxi for the day if you want to see other landmark attractions outside the George Town inner city enclave.

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Stay safe

• Don't walk alone in deserted places.
• Don't accept rides from Kereta Sapu (passenger car / unlicensed taxi).
• Don't carry valuables in motorbike-baskets.
• Don't leave valuables in hotel rooms.
• Don't place valuables on restaurant tables.
• Do be wary of snatch-thieves - especially when wearing jewelry and/or carrying bags. Some of these felons practice the art of 'ride-by' snatching of ladies' handbags which can result in serious injury to the victim. So ladies: walk against traffic and keep the handbag on the side away from the road or better still - don't carry one.
• Do be wary of the (sometimes aggressive) long-tail macaques at the botanical gardens.

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Contact

• Penang Tourism Action Council 56th Floor, KOMTAR, Phone:+60 4 262-0202, Fax:+60 4263-1020 enquiry@tourismpenang.gov.my
• Tourism Malaysia
  

o Penang Tourist Centre: Bangunan Penang Port Bhd, Pesara King Edward. Phone:+60 4 261-6663
o Penang Development Corporation Tourism Division: 1 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bayan Baru. Phone:+60 4 643-2111, Fax:+60 4 643-2405
o Tourism Information Centre: Level 3, Concourse KOMTAR. Phone:+60 4 261-4461
o Tourism Malaysia Penang Branch: 56th Floor, KOMTAR. Phone:+60 4 261-0058/ 264-3494. Fax:+60 4 262-3688 mtpbpen@tourism.gov.my

• Penang Heritage Trust 26 Church Street, Phone+60 4 264-2631. Fax+60 4 262-8421 phtrust@streamyx.com
• Ambulance / Police: 999
• Fire: 994
• Rescue (Civil Defense): 991
• All the abovementioned numbers: 112 from mobile phones
• Tourist police:+60 4 222-1522
• Telegram service: 100
• International and domestic operator assisted service: 101
• Directory enquiry service: 103
• Multilingual international service: 198

Refer: Penang Tourism, Wikitravel

Bali

More than four thousands years ago, Bali was an emerald green, tropical rain forest covered the island. The first wave of human arrivals from across the seas brought with them techniques for rice cultivation, new languages and new customs. These early immigrants and others who followed over the years helped to create a haven, providing today's visitors with a wealth of sights and sounds, dances, music, arts and crafts.

The Paradise Island

Bali has been described by many different names - "The Hidden Paradise", "The Last Paradise on Earth", "Morning of The World", "Island of God", and "Island of Thousand Temples". This Island of Gods is situated approximately on latitude 8ฐ South and longitude 115ฐ East. Bali and the neighboring island of Lombok are the most westerly of the Little Sunda Islands and part of the 13,700 islands that make up Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world.

The island itself covers an area of 5,632,860 square kilometers, with a volcanic mountain range that stretches from the western tip to the eastern side of the island, with Mt. Agung being the highest peak.

For many centuries, -until today-, Bali has attracted visitors from all over the world. It is so attractive for its colorful ceremonies, natural scenery, and the ever-smiling people. Their colorful religious festivals and ceremonies, the traditional music and dances have been a way of life, and have unwittingly contributed much to the success of tourism here. The Balinese people are predominantly Hindu and their traditional and religious beliefs are as strong today as they ever were.

Bali, The History

In 7th century, perhaps Bali was predominantly Buddhist. Yi Tsing, a Chinese scholar, on his trip to India in 670 AD reported that he visited a Buddhist country called Bali.

The old Balinese kingdom got its glory at 11 century. There is a monument called Gunung Kawi (means The Poet's Mountain) which houses several royal tombs of noblemen and kings of the 11th century. At this period Bali was governed by king Dharmodayana Warmmadewa, also known as Udayana and his wife -a Javanese Queen- named Gunapriyadharmapatni, also known as Mahendradatta. They sent their son Airlangga to study in the Emperor of Java. He at last became the king in Java and rebuilt a new kingdom with two autonomous province Java and Bali. He then appointed his brother, Anak Wungsu, as ruler of Bali. This was the period when the old Javanese language, Kawi, became the language used by the aristocracy, as well as one of the many Javanese traits and customs adopted by the cause.

In 1284, the East Javanese king Kertanegara conquered Bali and ruled over it from Java.

In 1292, king Kertanegara was murdered. Bali got its freedom for about fifty years.

In 1343, a brilliant General named Gadjah Mada from Majapahit - a powerful empire of east Java- with his strong armies came to invade this island. And the glorious period would come to an end. Though he conquered Bali but the General made Bali became an important part of this East Java Empire. This Hindu Majapahit Empire gave Bali the form and structures that stand to this day. The caste system which is still strong until today, the rules and rituals, the arts, the architecture of house and the temple were all passed on from this powerful empire.

But when Islam successfully gained followers and then gained foothold throughout Sumatra and Java in the 15th century, this powerful Hindu Majapahit Kingdom at last collapsed in 1515 and went into gradual decline. But this new religion was not easily accepted by the people of the kingdom. At the time there were large numbers of Hindu priests, artists, noblemen and Hindu followers which left Majapahit and then escaped to Bali. Here they blended their belief with the traditions of the local people. This blend became the embryo of the Hindu now in Bali. This was the period when "gamelan" - Balinese music instrument, dances, the art of drama and opera (the Gambuh and Arja) and the shadow puppet (Wayang Kulit) would develop and flourish. But this period of the rise of Islam was also the time when the first westerners were beginning to appear which at last built their colonization in this part of the world.

The first European came to visit Bali was the Dutch Admiral, Cornelis De Houtman. He and his troop arrived off the coast of Bali in 1598 and friendly welcomed by the king Watu Renggong who was the king of united Bali. Encouraged by this gesture the Dutchmen baptized this island "Jonck Hollandt" or the New Holland. Since this period the influence of the Dutch grew over the archipelago. But with the death of Watu Renggong, the other rulers would rule independently while still paying homage to the Dewa Agung, the king of Klungkung.

In 1840 Dutch successfully began to control the northern part of Bali. Starting from this area then the Dutch took over and occupied the all island.

The Dutch troop with their modern weaponary was too strong for the ill local forces. But they did not want to surrender. So the local kings led their followers in "puputan" - fight until dead. They faced the Dutch troop with their traditional weapon. Those were still standing killed by their own followers, or they killed themselves in order to assure their heavenly path to the glorious paradise to join their ancestors.

This "Puputan" happened between 1906 and 1908 when the kings of Denpasar and Klungkung chose this path than surrender. After this "Puputan", Dutch could successfully control this island.

During the World War II the Dutch were expelled by the Japanese, then occupied Indonesia from 1942 - 1945. On February 19, 1942, the Japanese landed about 500 troops on Sanur beach to occupy Bali.

Though the Japanese occupation was only for three years, but it strongly inspired the people to get the freedom. Some days after Nagasaki and Hiroshima were completely destroyed by atomic bomb, a famous young leader named Soekarno who was part of Balinese declared the independence of Indonesia on 17 August 1945. Balinese people are proud to be the part of this new country.

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How to get there

By plane

Most visitors will arrive at Denpasar's Ngurah Rai international airport, which has extensive domestic connections as well as direct flights throughout Asia and Australia. In addition to the usual suspects, a few specialist airlines like Qantas subsidiary Australian Airlinesoperate cheap flights from Australia to Bali. In the low-cost carriet set, Jetstar Asia operate from Singapore while AirAsia operate daily direct flights to Denpasar from Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta

Note that if you are flying internationally out of Ngurah Rai, you are then subject to the airport tax (100,000 Rupiah as at Jan '06) which you would need to pay for in Rupiah so save some bills for the trip out. ATM machines are available at Airport Departure Lobby which accept Cirrus and Plus cards for withdrawals.

By boat

Ferries cross from Gilimanuk in western Bali to Ketapang on the island of Java every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, and the crossing takes just 30 minutes (plus waiting around, loading, unloading, etc).

There are also services from Padangbai to Lembar (Lombok) every few hours, with the trip taking around 3.5 hours.

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Get around

Bali's a fairly big island and you'll need a method to get around if you plan on exploring more than the hotel pool.

By taxi

Metered taxis are very common in southern Bali up to Denpasar but not available elsewhere. The starting fee is Rp 4,000 for the first two km and the meter ticks up Rp 2,000 per kilometer afterwards. Waiting time is Rp 20,000 per hour. Trips outside southern Bali will incur an extra charge of 30%, as the driver has to go back empty — if day-tripping, it's often cheaper and more convenient to arrange for your driver to wait and take you back.

By bemo

Bemos, basically minivans which serve as a flexible bus service, are Bali's "traditional" form of transportation, but they have largely given way to metered taxis in the south. Fares on shared bemos can be very cheap, but drivers will often insist that foreign tourist charter the entire vehicle, in which case they'll usually ask for taxi prices or worse.

By car or bike

Car and motorbike rental is available, but may not be safe for drivers used to more formal traffic rules. Consider hiring a car and driver as you can relax, be safe, and not get lost.


More Rome Information / Facts

* Country: Indonesian
* Area: 5,632.86 km²
* Population: 3,150,000
* Country population: 222,781,000
* Language: Balinese, Indonesian
* Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
* Time zone: WITA (UTC+8)
* Country dialling code: +62
* Internet TLD: .id
* Religion: Hindu, Muslim

Refer: Wikitravel, balinicerate

Paris

It's little wonder that so many wistful songs have been penned over the years about France's capital, Paris . Few cities leave the visitor with such vivid impressions, whether it's the drifting cherry blossoms in the tranquil gardens of Notre-Dame, the riverside quais on a summer evening, the sound of blues in atmospheric cellar bars, or the ancient alleyways and cobbled lanes of the historic Latin Quarter and villagey Montmartre.

Paris has no problem living up to the painted images and movie myths with which we're all familiar. Indeed, the whole city is something of a work of art. Two thousand years of shaping and reshaping have resulted in monumental building, sweeping avenues, grand esplanades and celebrated bridges. Many of its older buildings have survived intact, having been spared the ravages of flood and fire and saved from Hitler's intended destruction. Moreover, they survive with a sense of continuity and homogeneity, as new sits comfortably against a backdrop of old - the glass Pyramid against the grand fortress of the Louvre, the Column of Liberty against the Opéra Bastille. Time has acted as judge, as buildings once surrounded in controversy - the Eiffel Tower, the Sacré-Coeur, the Pompidou Centre - have in their turn become well-known symbols of the city. Yet for all the tremendous pomp and magnificence of its monuments, the city operates on a very human scale, with exquisite, secretive little nooks tucked away off the Grands Boulevards and very definite little communities revolving around games of boules and the local boulangerie and café.

Architecturally, the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Palais du Louvre , in the city's centre, provide a constant reminder of Paris's religious and royal past. The backdrop of the streets is predominantly Neoclassical, the result of nineteenth-century development designed to reflect the power of the French state. Each period since, however, has added, more or less discreetly, novel examples of its own styles - with Auguste Perret, Le Corbusier, Mallet-Stevens and Eiffel among the early twentieth-century innovators. In recent decades, the architectural additions have been more dramatic in scale, producing new and major landmarks, and recasting down-at-heel districts into important centres of cultural and consumer life. New buildings such as La Villette, La Grande Arche de la Défense , the Opéra Bastille , the Institut du Monde Arabe and the Bibliothèque Nationale have expanded the dimensions of the city, pointing it determinedly towards the future.

Paris's museums and galleries , not least the mighty Louvre , number among the world's finest. The tradition of state cultural endowment is very much alive in the city and collections are exceedingly well displayed and cared for. Many are also housed in beautiful locations, such as old mansions and palaces, others in bold conversions, most famously the Musée d'Orsay , which occupies a former train station. The Impressionists here and at the Musée Marmottan , the moderns at the Palais de Tokyo , the smaller Picasso and Rodin museums - all repay a visit. In addition, the contemporary scene is well represented in the commercial galleries that fill the Marais, St-Germain, the Bastille and the area around the Champs-Élysées, and there's an ever-expanding range of museums devoted to other areas of human endeavour - science, history, decoration, fashion and performance art.

Few cities can compete with the thousand-and-one cafés, bars and restaurants that line every Parisian street and boulevard. The variety of style and décor, cuisine and price is hard to beat too. Traditional French food has become increasingly innovative and the many ethnic origins represented among the city's millions have opened eateries providing a range of gastronomic options for every palate and pocket.

The city entertains best at night, with a deserved reputation for outstanding film and music . Paris's cinematic prowess is marked by annual film festivals, with a refreshing emphasis on art, independent and international films. Music is equally revered, with nightly offerings of excellent jazz, top-quality classical, avant-garde experimental, international rock, West African soukous and French-Caribbean zouk , Algerian raï , and traditional chansons .

If you've time, you should certainly venture out of the city. The region surrounding the capital - the Île de France - is dotted with cathedrals and châteaux as stunning and steeped in history as the city itself - Chartres, Versailles and Fontainebleau , for example. An equally accessible excursion from the capital is that most un-French of attractions, Disneyland Paris .

The city of Paris
Geography and history have combined to give Paris a remarkably coherent and intelligible structure. The city lies in a basin surrounded by hills. It is very nearly circular, confined within the limits of the the ring road, the boulevard périphérique, which follows the line of the city's nineteenth-century fortifications. The capital's raison d'être and its lifeline, the River Seine , flows east to west, carving the city in two. Anchored at the hub of the circle, in the middle of the river, is the island from which the rest of Paris grew: the Île de la Cité , home of the capital's oldest religious and secular institutions - Notre Dame cathedral and the Palais de Justice.

The north or Right Bank ( rive droite ) of the Seine is characterized by imposing government buildings, sweeping vistas and elegant boulevards. The longest and grandest thoroughfare is the so-called Voie Triomphale , which runs from the Louvre to the Grande Arche de la Défense in the northwest, taking in the Tuileries gardens, Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe, each monument an expression of royal or state power across the centuries. To the immediate north and east of the Voie Triomphale spread the commercial and financial quarters, site of the stock exchange, the refurbished nineteenth-century passages and Les Halles shopping centre. Just to the east of Les Halles lie the Marais and Bastille quartiers, two of the city's liveliest and most happening areas.

The south bank of the river, or Left Bank ( rive gauche ), owes its existence to the cathedral school of Notre-Dame, which spilled over from the Île de la Cité and became the university of the Sorbonne, attracting scholars and students from all over the medieval world. Ever since, it has been the traditional domain of academics, writers and artists.

The city is divided into twenty arrondissements , whose spiral arrangement provides a fairly accurate guide to its historical growth . Centred on the Louvre, they wind outwards in a clockwise direction. The inner hub of the city comprises arrondissements 1er to 6e, and it's here that most of the major sights and museums are to be found. The outer or higher-number arrondissements were mostly incorpor ated into the city in the nineteenth century - some, such as Montmartre, Belleville and Passy , have succeeded in retaining something of their separate village identity. Historically, the districts to the west attracted the aristo cracy and the newly rich, while those to the east accommodated mainly the poor and the working class, distinctions which largely hold true to this day, though much of the east is gradually being gentrified.

Paris is not particularly well endowed with parks. The largest, the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes , at the western and eastern limits of the city respectively, do possess small pockets of interest, but are largely anonymous sprawls. For a break from the bustle of the city, it is best to try an out-of-town excursion, to the gardens of Giverny , for example, or the forest of Fontainebleau .

More Paris Information / Facts

* Country: France
* Status: Capital city
* Area: Approximately 105 square kilometres / 41 square miles
* Population: 2.2 million in the city; 10.95 million in the Île de France area
* Language: French
* Currency: Euro
* Time Zone: GMT / UTC +1
* Country dialling code: +33
* Telephone area code: 01
* Religion: Predominantly Catholic
* Tourism: 20 million visitors annually
* Layout: Consists of 20 Arrondissements (Districts)

Refer : France Travel