Gif-sur-Yvette is a commune in the south-western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 22.9km from the center of Paris.GeographyThe town is crossed by and named after the Yvette River. The total area is 11.60km2 and 4.07km2 is green spaces and woods.Place namesThe town of Gif-sur-Yvette is composed of sections: in the valley: The Rougemonts, The Mérantaise, The Mairie, The Féverie, Coupières, Damiette, Courcelle, l'Abbaye, les Coudraies; on the Moulon Plateau: The Moulon ; on the Hurepoix Plateau: The Hacquinière, Belleville and Chevry . Also, the commune's territory includes many forests such as the Hacquinière Wood and the d'Aigrefoin Wood.Commune's neighborsThe neighboring communes of Gif-sur-Yvette are : Villiers-le-Bâcle, Saint-Aubin, Saclay, Orsay, Bures-sur-Yvette, Gometz-le-Châtel, Gometz-la-Ville, Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse.HistoryThe human presence on the Moulon Plateau originates in Neolithic times. Agriculture was developed, notably during the Roman era.Between the 12th and the 18th century, an important Benedictine abbey was built in Gif.In the 19th century, Gif remained very agricultural (in particular, operating mills).