Paris

Paris (UK: /ˈpærɪs/ PARR-iss; US: ⁱ/ˈpɛərɪs/ PAIR-iss; French: [paʁi]) is the capital and most populous city of France. Situated on the Seine River, in the north of the country, it is in the centre of the Île-de-France region, also known as the région parisienne, "Paris Region". The City of Paris has an area of 105 km² (41 mi²) and a population of 2,241,346 (2014 estimate) within its administrative borders essentially unchanged since 1860.

Since the 19th century, the built-up area of Paris has grown far beyond its administrative borders; together with its suburbs, the whole agglomeration has a population of 10,550,350 (Jan. 2012 census).Paris' metropolitan area spans most of the Paris region and has a population of 12,341,418 (Jan. 2012 census), or one-fifth of the population of France. The administrative region covers 12,012 km² (4,638 mi²), with approximately 12 million inhabitants as of 2014, and has its own regional council and president.

Paris was founded in the 3rd century BC by a Celtic people called the Parisii, who gave the city its name. By the 12th century, Paris was the largest city in the western world, a prosperous trading centre, and the home of the University of Paris, one of the first in Europe. In the 18th century, it was the centre stage for the French Revolution, and became an important centre of finance, commerce, fashion, science, and the arts, a position it still retains today.

National library

A national library is a library specifically established by the government of a country to serve as the preeminent repository of information for that country. Unlike public libraries, these rarely allow citizens to borrow books. Often, they include numerous rare, valuable, or significant works.

There are wider definitions of a national library, putting less emphasis to the repository character.

National libraries are usually notable for their size, compared to that of other libraries in the same country. Some states which are not independent, but who wish to preserve their particular culture, have established a national library with all the attributes of such institutions, such as legal deposit.

Many national libraries cooperate within the National Libraries Section of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) to discuss their common tasks, define and promote common standards and carry out projects helping them to fulfil their duties. National libraries of Europe participate in The European Library. This is a service of The Conference of European National Librarians (CENL).

Niggas in Paris

"Niggas in Paris" (edited for radio as "In Paris" or simply "Paris", edited for album as "Ni**as in Paris") is a song by American rappers Kanye West and Jay-Z from their collaboration album Watch the Throne (2011).

The song contains samples from "Baptizing Scene" by Reverend W.A. Donaldson and also samples dialogue from DreamWorks Pictures' 2007 film Blades of Glory. It debuted at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the week of the album's release. The song has since peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Kanye West's 14th top-10 single and Jay-Z's 18th making Jay-Z the rapper with the most top-10 hits. As of November 2012, it has sold 3 million digital units in the United States.

"Niggas in Paris" won Best Rap Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards.

Background

In an interview, Kanye West revealed that the song was inspired by his travels in Paris:

The song's production was originally offered to rapper Pusha T by Hit-Boy. However, Pusha turned it down, saying "It sounds like a video game. Get that shit out of here!"

Bibliothèque nationale de France

The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF; French: [bi.bli.jɔ.tɛk na.sjɔ.nal də fʁɑ̃s]) is the National Library of France, located in Paris. It is intended to be the repository of all that is published in France. The current president of the library is Bruno Racine.

History

The National Library of France traces its origin to the royal library founded at the Louvre Palace by Charles V in 1368. Charles had received a collection of manuscripts from his predecessor, John II, and transferred them to the Louvre from the Palais de la Cité. The first librarian of record was Claude Mallet, the king's valet de chambre, who made a sort of catalogue, Inventoire des Livres du Roy nostre Seigneur estans au Chastel du Louvre. Jean Blanchet made another list in 1380 and Jean de Bégue one in 1411 and another in 1424. Charles V was a patron of learning and encouraged the making and collection of books. It is known that he employed Nicholas Oresme, Raoul de Presle and others to transcribe ancient texts. At the death of Charles VI, this first collection was unilaterally bought by the English regent of France, the Duke of Bedford, who transferred it to England in 1424. It was apparently dispersed at his death in 1435.

American Library (New Delhi)

The American Library in New Delhi is a library under the supervision of the American Embassy, situated in the commercial hub of New Delhi inside the American Center (the office of US government officials in India). Opened in 1951, the Library was established to promote understanding between the people of North India and the United States. The library has books on topics related to American society, American politics, American culture, and the American constitution which it serves to general public, students, teachers, and researchers.

History

The library started as a reading room on 54 Queensway (now Janpath) under the banner of the "United States Library" with a collection of 3,000 books, 2,000 pamphlets, and 80 periodical subscriptions, and a seating capacity of 24. In 1951, when the book collection reached 6,000, a lending system was introduced and free membership was extended. Two years later, loan services by mail were offered to those living outside the capital. The library moved to 24 Curzon Road (now Kasturba Gandhi Marg) in 1952 with a collection of 10,000 books and 300 periodical subscriptions. The library occupied temporary quarters at Bahawalpur House on 1, Sikandra Road from 1969 until February 1974. The library celebrated its 25 years of service to the Indian public in November 1971. The silver Jubilee celebrations were presided over by the Vice President of India, the late Dr.Gopal Swarup Pathak.