About France With a total land area of 266,558 square miles, France is the third-largest European country after Russia and Ukraine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Recovering from the losses it suffered in the two world wars, France today stands as one of the strongest nations of the world, economically, politically and culturally. The country possesses the second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world.
French is the official language of France and is spoken by 270 million people worldwide. It is also the official language of thirty other countries. The major religion is Roman Catholicism. The other religions followed by the French population include Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism.
Paris is the capital of the country and is the cultural heart of the Western world. One of the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, the city is also a culture-gully famous for its beautiful structures and the magnificent Museum of Louvre.
France has dominated and influenced the cultural world of western Europe in the field of art and literature right from the middle ages down to the modern times. The French are famous for their refined tastes in culture and fashion. Also they are well- known for their sophistication, the beauty of their spoken language, and their diverse accomplishments in literature, arts, and sciences. Even French cuisine and apparels have long been a source of national pride.
France has been a haven for the European artists since the seventeenth, eighteenth, and the nineteenth centuries. France has given the world many renowned painters, sculptors, philosophers ,writers, dramatists, music composers and film directors.
Politics The politics of France takes place in the framework of a democratic, semi-presidential form of government. The Prime minister is the head of government and the President is the head of state. Politically very active, the country has participated in the formation of UN, UN Security Council, European union, G8 and the Latin union.
Earlier known as the Fourth Republic, the French Constitution is now called the Constitution of the Fifth Republic. It was adopted on October 4, 1958 and the text of the constitution was drafted by a French politician, Michel Debre. The main driving force behind introducing the new constitution and inaugurating the Fifth Republic was Charles de Gaulle, a French military leader and statesman.
The Preamble of the Constitution of France recalls the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen from 1789. It establishes France as a secular and democratic republic. The country derives its sovereignty from the people.
The constitution of France has been amended eighteen times; the most recent amendment took place in 2008.
Economy of France
France has the second-largest economy in Europe. It is the world’s leader in luxury goods, including haute couture, perfumes and cosmetics and the first producer of wine and liquors. Financial services, insurance and banking sector are a major part of France's economy. It is also the first producer of nuclear electricity in Europe; France produces as much nuclear electricity as Germany, the UK, Spain and Russia combined. It exports cereals, wine, cheese and other agricultural products. French wine is famous all over the world. Tourism is a major industry contributing highly to the economy; about ten millions tourists visit France every year. From the majestic Alps to the exquisite Versailles, magnificent Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre Museum, and the Picasso Museum, France is a complete holiday package for people of all tastes. There are a number of sites in France that are recognized as world heritage sites by the UNESCO. One of the most popular heritage sites in the country is the Mont Saint Michel; it is located on an island just off the coast of the region of Lower Normandy in northern France. It is best known for the monastery that stands at the peak of the rocky island.
The national flag of France was officially adoptd on February 15, 1794. It consists of three equal vertical bands: blue on the hoist side, white, and red.
Climate of France
The climate of France is generally cool during winters and mild during summers. Along the Mediterranean, the winters are mild and summers are hot, accompanied with occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral. Flora And Fauna of France
Climatic conditions play a great role in determining the flora of France. Towards the slopping end of the mountains, Alpine pastures are present which provide good grazing ground for sheep and cattle during the summer months. As the elevation further slopes down, forests are made up of coniferous trees such as pine, larch, fir, and spruce. Below the coniferous forest is the deciduous forests comprising oak, beech, and chestnut trees. Along the Mediterranean coast where summers are generally long, hot, and dry, expanse of an evergreen shrub, called maquis are foud in plenty. The most common trees found in the Mediterranean region are the olive, the cork oak, and the Aleppo pine.
The fauna of France includes varied species of deer and foxes. Red deer, roe deer, wild boar, are found in remote forest areas. The rare chamois, a type of goat, is found in the Alps and in the Pyrenees. Among the smaller animals found in the region are porcupines, skunks, marmots, and martens. Endangered species include beavers, otters, and badgers. A small number of brown bears and lynx are also found in the Pyrenees. Apart from this, France also has an abundant bird life. Many species of migrating birds, including ducks, geese, and thrushes, spend their winters in France. The Mediterranean region is home to various exotic bird species, including flamingos, bee-eaters, egrets, herons, and black-winged stilts. Reptiles are rare, and the only venomous reptile in France is the adder.
Foreign Relations with the United States
France is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, European Union, NATO, the G-8, the G-20, the EU, and many other multilateral institutions. Being part of such institutions, France is bound to play influential role in global politics. The United States is the oldest ally of France and the relations between the two countries are very cordial. Both the countries have been actively involved in handling counter-terrorism effects. Both the United States and France have played major roles in granting independence to Lebanon and making it a sovereign country, free from Syrian regime.
The two countries have strong trade relations. The U.S. is believed to be the largest foreign investor in France, and employs over 650,000 French citizens.
