France-West-Central Europe 8 th Grade Geography

History France has been occupied by people from many other parts of Europe. In ancient times, France was part of a region known as Gaul. They spoke Celtic languages related to modern Welsh and Gaelic.

Conquerors Around 600 B.C., the Greeks set-up colonies on Gaul’s southern coast. Centuries later, the Romans conquered Gaul. The Romans introduced Roman law, government, and established a Latin- based language that developed into French.

As Roman power and influenced stopped around 400 A.D., the Franks, a Germanic people conquered Gaul. It is from these people that France takes its name.

Charlemagne Charlemagne was the greatest Frank ruler. His dream of a Christian empire earned Charlemagne the title “Emperor of the Romans” in 800 A.D from the pope.

After Charlemagne death, the empire was divided and later conquered by tribes like the Normans. Normandy is where they settled.

The period from the collapse of the Roman Empire to about 1500 is called the Middle ages, or medieval period. The word medieval comes from the Latin words Medium, meaning “middle”

Duke of Normandy The Duke of Normandy, conquered England in How many French words are there in the English language? England tried to occupy the throne of France in the 1300s. Eventually the French drove the English out of France.

Roman Catholic Church During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church created a sense of unity among many Europeans. Many tall, impressive cathedrals were build including the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, which took 200 years to build.

Revolution From the 1500s to the 1700s, France grew as a global power. However, many French people lived in poverty. In 1789, the French overthrew the king and established an elected government.

Napoleon Bonaparte Ten years after the revolution, a brilliant general seized power in France. He conquered most of Europe, built roads, improved education, and established the metric system of measurement. In 1815, an alliance of European countries finally defeated Napoleon.

World Wars Germany occupied the northern and eastern part of France during WWI. In WWII, Germany defeated France and occupied the northern and western regions of France. In 1944, the allies liberated France

Government Today, France is a republic with a parliament and an elected president. France is also a founding member of the European Union (EU).

Culture 90 % of the French people are Roman Catholic, and 3 % practice Islam. Most French people speak French. Immigrants from the former colonies influence French culture with their style of foods, clothing, music, and art. (Africa, Caribbean, SE Asia)

Customs In southern France, people eat a Mediterranean diet of wheat, olives, olive oil, cheese, and garlic. In the north food is more likely to be prepared with butter, herbs, and mushrooms.

Customs Wine and cheese are produced in many regions. 400 different kinds of cheese Bastille day, July 14 is celebrated to commemorate the beginning of the French Revolution.

Cheeses

France Today Break into pairs and see what should be added to the notes.

Question The life expectancy for males in France is 75, and females is 83. The life expectancy for males in the U.S is 74, females is 80. What can we learn?