In 2020, the population of the city of Lyon was 522,228 in its small municipal area of ​​48 km2, but together with its suburbs and suburbs, the Lyon metropolitan area had a population of 2,293,180 in the same year, the second most populous in France.
Lyon and 58 suburban municipalities have since 2015 formed the Metropolis of Lyon, a directly elected metropolitan government that is currently responsible for most urban matters, with a population of 1,416,545 in 2020.
Lyon is the prefecture of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and the seat of
Rhone Department Council.
The capital of the Gauls during the Roman Empire, Lyon is the seat of an archbishopric, the owner of which bears the title of Primate of the Gauls.
Lyon became a major economic center during the Renaissance.
The city is famous for its cuisine and gastronomy, as well as historical and architectural attractions;
Thus, the areas of Old Lyon, the Fourvière hill, the Presqu'île and the slopes of Croix-Rousse are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Lyon has historically been an important silk production and weaving area.
Lyon has played a significant role in the history of cinema since Auguste and Louis Lumière invented cinema here.
The city is also famous for its festival of light, Fête des Lumières, which begins every December 8th and lasts for four days, earning Lyon the title of "Capital of Light".
Economically, Lyon is a major center for the banking, chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
The city has a significant software industry, with a particular focus on video games;
Home to renowned universities and higher education institutions, Lyon is the second largest student city in France, with almost 200,000 students studying in the Lyon metropolitan area.
Lyon is home to the international headquarters of Interpol, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and Euronews.
According to the Research Institute for Globalization and World Rankings, as of 2018 Lyon is considered a beta city.
It was ranked second in France and 40th in the world in Mercer's 2019 Liveability Index.
The name of the area is attested in the forms Lugdon, Luon, then Lyon from the 13th century.