Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I
and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth,
manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless,
France today is one of the most modern countries in the world
and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has
constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the
instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies.
In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany
have proved central to the economic integration of Europe,
including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the
euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of
efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement
progress toward an EU foreign policy.
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay
and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the
UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
Area:
547,030 sq km
Border countries:
Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451
km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,
Switzerland 573 km
Climate:
generally cool winters and mild summers, but
mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional
strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
Geography:
largest West European nation
Population:
60,876,136
Nationality:
Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
Ethnic groups:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North
African, Indochinese, Basque minorities
Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish
1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%
Languages:
French 100%, rapidly declining regional
dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican,
Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Government type:
republic
Capital:
Paris
Time zone:
GMT/UTC +01:00
National holiday:
Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note -
although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the
celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first
anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789)
and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names
for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and
quatorze juillet (14th of July)
Currency:
euro (EUR)
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use: 35.7 million,
Telephone system: highly developed
Transportation:
Airports: 477, Railways: 29,085 km, Roadways:
891,290 km, Waterways: 8,500 km