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The roots of France as a separate entity started with Charlemagne dividing his Frankish empire into an eastern and a western part. The eastern part can be regarded the beginnings of what is now Germany, the western part that of France. A variety of descendents of Charlemagne ruled France until 987, when Hugh Capet, a duke, was crowned King of France. His descendents, the Capetian? dynasty, ruled France until 1328, when they were succeeded by the related Valois dynasty. The end of the direct male line of Capetians also led to the [Hundred Years' War]?.
The Valois branch of the Capetians were succeeded by the Bourbon dynasty. The French overthrew their monarchic structure during the French revolution. Their anthem, The Marseillaise concerns the overthrow of tyranny. The national motto is "liberty, equality, fraternity".
The capital city, Paris, is home to the Eiffel Tower, a tower of girdered steel constructed in 1889. The language is French.
Instead of having amendments to their Constitution, the French make another one. Currently this is the 5th, there are talks of making a 6th, and a few have not been counted.
Cities and major towns include:
From the CIA World Factbook 2000.