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FRANCE COUNTRY FACTS |
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BACKGROUND Land and Climate. Slightly smaller than Texas, France covers 211,208 square miles (547,030 square kilometers). As the country is hexagonal in shape, it is sometimes referred to as Hexagone. The terrain is varied, from plains to mountains and forests to farmland. Mountains stretch along the borders with Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. France boasts on of Europe’s highest peaks, Mount Blanc, at 15,771 feet (4,807 meters). The Rhine River forms part of the border with Germany. A flat plain with rolling hills dominates the northern area. The southern climate is Mediterranean, with cool, moist winters and hot, dry summers. The north is temperate and rainy. The west is also rainy and influenced by the Atlantic, which moderates winter temperatures. The central, east, and upland areas have a continental climate, with fluctuating temperatures; in the mountains, thunderstorms and prevalent in summer. French sovereignty extends to the island of Corsica (Corse) as well as 10 overseas territories and departements (overseas divisions of France that have representatives in the French government as well as some local autonomy). History. By 51 B.C., the Romans had conquered the area’s Celtic inhabitants, the Gauls, who then adopted the Romans’ customs, language, and laws. Clovis I, king of the Franks, defeated the last Roman governor in A.D. 486. The French consider his conversion to Catholicism in 496 the founding act of the nation; the move won him the support of the Catholic Church and Gallo-Roman people, who helped him defeat surrounding Arian kingdoms. In the late eight century, France was part of Charlemagne’s vast empire. After the empire’s disintegration, France emerged as one of the successor kingdoms in 987. The following centuries brought intermittent conflict, particularly with the English, including the Hundred Years’ War, from 1337 to 1453. In 1429, after 80 years of war, Joan of Arc led the French in victory over the English. Later burned to death by the English (1431), she remains a French heroine. By the late 1600s, France dominated Europe. Under Louis XIV (the Sun King), the movement toward centralized government reached its peak. His palace at Versailles was the envy of the continent. But by 1789, royal extravagance and defeats in foreign wars resulted in the French Revolution. Louis XVI’s monarchy was toppled and the country entered the “reign of terror.” Despite the brutality of the uprising, the French Revolution marks a milestone in world history because it started a movement toward democratic government. After a decade of instability, Napoleon Bonaparte took power, declaring himself emperor in 1804. Napoleon conquered most of Europe before embarking on a disastrous campaign in Russia in 1812. In 1814, Austrian and Prussian forces seized Paris, and Napoleon was exiled. His 1815 return to power, called his “Hundred Days,” ended in defeat by the English at Waterloo. The monarchy was restored but was followed by the Second Republic (1848-52) and then the Second Empire (1852-70) under Napoleon III. Defeat by Germany led to the Third Republic in 1871. France was a battleground during both world wars. It was occupied by Germany between 1940 and 1944 and was the site of the D-Day invasion that turned the tide of World War II in favor of the Allies. The Forth Republic was declared in 1946; it was followed by the Fifth Republic in 1958, with Charles de Gaulle as president. France was a founding member of the European Community and is a central force in today’s European Union (EU). In 1968, students and workers protested over poor working conditions and a rigid educational system; their protests resulted in lasting social change. The 1968 events were still fresh in the public’s mind when students in the early 1990s took to the streets, protesting conditions in public schools and proposed changes in wage laws. The social unrest and economic problems led three successive prime ministers to resign. Since that time, France’s internal politics have become more stable. However, the country has dealt with many international conflicts. France was part of the first wave of EU countries to join Europe’s common currency, the euro. THE PEOPLEPopulation. France’s population of 60.4 million is growing annually at 0.39 percent. Three-fourths of the population lives in urban areas. Greater Paris claims nearly 11 million inhabitants and Marseille 1 million. Ethnically, the French have a Celtic heritage that has mixed with various other European groups (Latin, Nordic, Teutonic, Slavic, and other) over the centuries. Primary immigrant groups include Portuguese, Italians, Spaniards, Poles, and immigrants from former French colonies in North Africa, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. Although they have integrated into French society, the various ethnic groups generally do not mix with one another. North Africans remain the most separate because of their religion, Islam. Language. French is an important international language. It is an official language of the United Nations and is second only to English in use between nations for communication, business, and diplomacy. The French government has stressed the language so much that almost everyone in France speaks French, despite the different nationalities represented. Even regional dialects have lost their importance in recent years. French students begin learning their first foreign language at age nine. Instruction in a second foreign language begins at thirteen. Communication skills are emphasized over grammar and theory. English is the most common first foreign language. Spanish and German are common second foreign languages. Despite its emphasis on foreign-language instruction, the French government resists the inclusion of foreign words in the French language. Religion. Although about 85 percent of the French population is Roman Catholic, only about 8 percent actively practices the religion. Most French Catholics celebrate the various religious holidays and attend Mass once or twice a year. Half have a religious wedding, and about 58 percent baptize their children. While active worship is increasingly rare, many people still visit shrines and other places of devotion. With around 8 percent of the population practicing Islam, it is the second largest religion in France. A small number of the people are Protestants (2 percent), Jewish (1 percent), or Buddhist (1 percent). Although thirty years ago more than 80 percent of French youth believed in God; today less than half believe. About 6 percent of the population claims no religion.
Economy. France’s larges industrial economy and welfarestyle government allow its people to enjoy the benefits of economic prosperity. Inflation is low, but high unemployment and budget deficits are ongoing challenges. In 2002, the euro officially replaced France’s former currency, the franc. As one of Europe’s leading agricultural producers, France is self-sufficient in most foods. The agricultural sector employs about 4 percent of the workforce and is a world leader in wine, milk, butter, cheese, barley, and wheat production. One-third of the land is arable. Major industries include steel, motor vehicles, aircraft, textiles, chemicals, and food processing. Tourism is a backbone industry; France attracts more tourists than any other country in the world. Exports include machinery and transport equipment, steel products, and agricultural goods. The service sector employs 70 percent of the labor force. Around 80 percent of France’s energy is generated by nuclear power plants. Transportation and Communications. France’s public transportation system is well developed. Buses serve most cities, and train service extends to even the4 smallest towns. Trains are best for long-distance travel. The TGV is a high-speed passenger train, reaching 186 mph (300 km/h). Most people own private cars, which are generally French brands, such as Renault or Peugeot. Taxis in urban areas are expensive. Subways are known as the Metro. The French domestic air system is efficient, and car ferries link France with Corsica (Corse) and Great Britain. A trip from Paris to London by train crosses under the English Channel and takes three hours. The actual time in the tunnel is 35 minutes. The communications system is modern. Pay phones generally use credit cards or phone cards purchased at a post office. The post office is the center for various forms of communication and transactions. Cellular phone use is rising. Education. Schooling is free and compulsory from age 6 to 16. Nearly 20 percent of all children attend Catholic schools, which are partly subsidized by the state. Secondary education, lasting seven years, is offered by lycees and colleges. Lycee students gain the equivalent of a U.S. junior college education. After secondary education, students take an exam to determine whether they may go on to higher education. Education is practically free at France’s 60 universities, including the Sorbonne in Paris. However, the best students take further preparatory classes in order to attend the Grandes Ecoles, where they study for careers in government, the military, education, and industry (engineering, marketing, and management). Health. The French enjoy good health and have a high life expectancy. Medical care is generally good and is available to all citizens through a socialized system. Prices and fees are fixed by the government. Many French people also carry private insurance to pay fees not covered by the government. In addition to public hospitals, private clinics are available. The government has recently raised taxes on cigarettes in an effort to curb the number of smokers in the country. NOTE: Please visit the CIA World FactBook for more country facts at: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html Source: CIA World Factbook |
