History of Modern Europe - Literature review Example

Introduction: There are very few capital cities of the different countries that are famous for several reasons. Paris, the capital of France is at the top of the list in this regard. It is center of attraction to millions of visitors every year. It has certain reasons and factors to it that make it the most sought after and desired for capital of the world. It is not just the beauty of the capital city, but historic background, cultural context, art and architecture, scenery, landscape and various other facets that would define a nearly complete city. As a result of rich precedence and possessions, Paris enjoys number of names. It is called as the city of love by few (Badd, 68); to others it is the city of perfumes and fragrance, while to others it is the city of lights. To others it is a city that loosely depicts the structure of a snail from posterior view. Paris is amongst the largest cities in entire France. It is relatively green in its outlook and is well looked after in the context of beautification and scenery. Although richly gifted, Paris has few of the most sparkling places that stand out and are on the priority list of any visitor who heads to France and Paris. These places include the Eiffel tower, which is world famous for its beauty, galore and grandeur, this followed by the “The Arc de Triomphe de L Etoile and Pantheon. Each of these has its own significance, history and historical existence and precedence to it and in turn makes it more so special. Geographical location of Paris: Paris has an edge over other capitals of the world with regard to its geographical location as well. It is on the outskirts of river Seine (Dickinson, 223) towards the northern part. The region across IIe de Cite is amongst one of the archaic place of the entire city in terms of its standing in present day. To other estimates and geographical calculations, the overall circumference of the entire city encompasses as much as only 55 kilometers only, making it more suitable for administration, monitoring and visitors to explore. The only exception that stands out as contract and conflicting to the original elevation and altitude of Paris is that of Rue du Telegraphe. Its altitude is around 300 feet roughly. On district wise division the entire city consists of around 20 districts broadly divided. This division is on uneven grounds and one cannot draw clear demarcation based on equal proportions. Eiffel Tower: Eiffel tower stands as a monument and wonder over Paris. It is amongst the Seven Wonders of the World that is considered as authentic wonders in modern times. Apart from its architecture and design factor, it has its own historic precedence and importance to it. Its importance and significance can be drawn from the days of French Revolution. It is situated around Champ de Mars. The tower and monument derives its name from the then engineer Gustav Eiffel (Jonnes, 237). He incorporation it with his companions and professional partners had significant role in the construction of this wonder and as a result the name has been associated to them. In the earlier stages of the plan set forth by Gustav Eiffel and his contemporary engineers, the overall plan was being ridiculed and mocked at. However they had conviction in their abilities and work and as a result made it possible making it one of the worlds’s most sought after building and construction. Eiffel tower is amongst the world’s most visited place every year. It enables earning large amount of investment and attracting tourists every year. The overall height of the tower is 324 meters and it has a net amount of 81 storey building. Eiffel tower also holds the honors and privilege of being the world’s tallest building that has been constructed. It was super ceded by other buildings later on but the entire building remained world’s largest for a total of over four decades. Gustav Eiffel did not pull this one off as a mere by chance wonder, rather he had his skills under usage and demand in the case of resurrection of the Statue of liberty and his expertise and ideas were used for this purpose. Eiffel tower was opened for the public viewing in 1889 (LeBoutillier, 14) and in no time it gained the attention of the people and it went on to become the world’s most tallest building for the earlier part of 20th century. The year 1889 actually marked the hundred years of celebrations as a result of the French Revolution which served as a pivotal moment in the modern history of France. The people associated their memories and feelings to a free France based on the ideals that were set forth in the revolution. It as a result served as an emblem of free nation that had undergone the revolution and in turn given the people, equality, liberty and fraternity. Arc de Triomphe: The Arc de Triomphe is perhaps the second most sought after building and monument in the land of French. It has its own significance to it. It enjoys territorially rich location. On one side it bears it existence along the Palace of Charles de Gaulle on other side it is along the lines of the famous Champs- Elysees. The early construction phase: The earlier part of construction came about during the days when Napoleon Bonaparte was in power (Rao, 44). It was around 1805-1806. However unfortunately, he could not live long to see its completion and before it could be completed, Napoleon was ousted and had little influence, presence and dominance in the affairs of France and decision making corridors. The structure so crafted is made in such a way that it contains the names of all the leads of the contributed towards the success of Napoleon and his undertaken wars and offensives against rest of the Europe. It was a homage and honor being paid to them by engraving their names on the wall. The completion of this monument came about in around twenty years from the initial time of official start. It was during the reign of Louise-Philippe that this grand monument came into existence and was opened for the masses to visit and celebrate the victory of Napoleon and French revolution as a whole. Historic significance: This monument also traces back its existence to the days of French Revolution. It was build in the memory and recognition of all those who made a valiant effort and stood above their own safety and paved the way for the success of the breaking of status quo in the form of French Revolution. Arc de Triomphe also draws its inspiration and in turn pays tribute to the people and soldiers who contributed in the Napoleon wars that were fought right after the French revolution which took place in 1789. The Napoleon wars lasted till 1815 and gave France a say and position in the affairs of the global politics. Large numbers of geographical and other strategic successes were achieved during this, and as a result enabled achieving the objectives that were set forth against the French Revolution. Construction view point: The design draws its inspiration from the Roman craft and that of the Arc of Titus in Rome. The notable difference between these two is that of the height factor. The French constructed one stands far more taller and longer in its existence as compared to the Roman architecture master piece. Existence in context of elevation: Paris does not qualify for the world’s highest altitude bearing cities unlike Rio -De-Jenario and other high elevation bearing cities of the world. Terrain wise it is one of the few capital cities that enjoy balanced and low level elevation. The other city that offers such beautiful outlook is Toronto. Its elevation shoots up to a mere and meager value of 120 feet from above the surface of the sea level. The relatively higher point in the city is that in form of mountain. This mountain series is known as Montmartre. It is this geographical positioning that gifts Paris with a pleasant weather. It does not receive any extremes weathers. The summer temperatures at most rise up to 30 degree Celsius while in spring the rotates around 10 to 15 degree centigrade, making it most suitable for visitors from across the world in different time periods. The Pantheon: The Pantheon makes up for the third most significant and attractive place in Paris. It also draws its historical perspective and importance based on the glory of French history and the overall development the society and people of France have undergone since the French revolution. Initial context: The building’s original purpose and objective was to preserve the legacy of church in regard to St. Genevieve. However since its original established structure and objective, it has undergone massive changes and it does not serve the purpose of being a mere church and sacred entity, rather its present day outlook is more secular and generic in nature than it was when it was first established. The structure is reminiscent to the Pantheon that is in Rome. Legacy: The structure initially came about into existence in the days of King Louis the fifteen. This was prior to the French Revolution which took place in the times of his brother. The construction was a result of a pledge and vow by the incumbent king with regard to the problems he had faced in his life in terms of physical illness (Mandaville, 51). He established it as a homage and regard to the priest of Paris in those days. The overall structure is quite huge in size, massing up to a net of one hundred and ten meters in length. The different domes within make it more architecturally sound and effective more valuable in the eyes of the historians and artisans. The initial day brick was laid in around 1760 but due to the internal unrest and other unforeseen developments and events, the process of development kept seeing delays. its completion came about in the days of post French Revolution and more significantly in the times of the General Assembly and Legislative Assembly. The members at that time then gave their approval to completing it and facilitated its construction and completion. The building holds other significant facts as well. The experiment of the then physicist Leon Foucault in 1851 (Cumming, 43) was also undertaken at the same building to determine the rotation and gravitational element of the earth. References: Badd, Liliana. Exit: A Novel. Trafford Publishing, 2010. Dickinson, Robert E. West European City Ils 179. Routledge, 2013. Graham-Cumming, John. The Geek Atlas: 128 Places Where Science and Technology Come Alive. "OReilly Media, Inc.", 2009.Press. Jonnes, Jill. Eiffels Tower: And the Worlds Fair where Buffalo Bill Beguiled Paris, the Artists Quarreled, and Thomas Edison Became a Count. Penguin, 2009. LeBoutillier, Nate. Eiffel Tower. The Creative Company, 2006. Mandaville, Michael. A Cold Death: An Aristotle Witzer Mystery. Dog Ear Publishing, 2009. Rao, B. V. History of Modern Europe Ad 1789-2002. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd, 2005. Read More