During the period of European exploration, France established colonies in the New World. The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) in the New World resulted in the loss of the New France territories to Britain, under the rule of Louis XV. As a result, France was a major ally of American colonists seeking independence from Britain during the American Revolution, leading to the 1783 Treat of Paris.
The French Revolution took place from around 1789 to 1799, culminating in the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, which ended France's absolute monarchy and replaced it with a constitutional monarchy. The French Revolutionary Wars began in 1792, the same year France became a republic. King Louis XVI was executed in 1793 for treason, as was his wife Marie Antoinette.
Napoleon Bonaparte took over the Republic in 1799, eventually becoming emperor. The French Empire began conquering Europe, led by Napoleon until his defeat in 1815.
During the nineteenth century, France became the second largest colonial power of all time, with colonies in North America, Southeast Asia, North, West, and Central Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Islands. Many of these colonies are still part of the Republic of France. France was an integral part in both World War I and World War II, and was a founding member of NATO in 1949.
Geography
France is the largest country in western Europe, bordering Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, Monaco, and Andorra. The major bodies of water around France are the Mediterranean Sea, English Channel, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and the Rhine River. Other major features are the Alps, the Pyrenees Mountains, and the Massif Central.
France's other five territories are part of the Republic of France, and vary in geographical nature, primarily featuring islands.
Because France takes up a large area, the climate varies from one place to another. Areas closer to the Mediterranean have a Mediterranean climate, while the inland climate is a typical continental, and the Alps have much more extreme temperatures.
Polity
France has been under the Fifth Republic's constitution since September 28, 1958. The government is headed by a President, who is elected by the people, and a Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President. France has a parliament with a National Assembly and a Senate.
France is divided into twenty-seven regions, which are further divided into 101 departments, then further into arrondissements (341), cantons, and finally communes or municipalities. Paris, Lyon, and Marseille are three of the major communes in France, and these communes are divided into municipal arrondissements.
Five departments of France are overseas, away from the main, or metropolitan, part of France. These five departments, French Guiana, Guadaloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion are treated similarly to the departments of metropolitan France. France also has other overseas territories like French Polynesia that are considered collectivities.
Travel
France is a very popular destination for travelers from around the world. Known for its chic fashion, romantic atmosphere, and sophisticated people and cuisine, France has plenty to offer all types of tourists. Quaint villages in the countryside and big bustling cities, and geographic diversity, including the Alps and the French Riviera give travelers too many options to handle all at once.
Paris itself has a plethora of attractions, like the iconic Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, to the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and the Moulin Rouge. An abundance of other cities in France draw visitors to their beauty, including Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse. With such a long history, there are uncountable historic sites and UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in every region of France.
Culture is an important part of the French experience, with food and wine playing a central role. The French are known for being proud of their language, and often expect tourists to make some effort in speaking the language during their visit, so it's a good idea to study some commonly used expressions before traveling to France.
Education
France's system of education is handled by the Ministry of National Education, a centralized organization that regulates primary, secondary, and higher education. The education system used in France is credited to Jules Ferry, the Minister of Public Instruction, in the 1880s. School is public and free, and is now mandatory for students between the ages of six and sixteen.
France's education system is ranked twenty-fifth in the world. Because of the Ministry of Eduction, school curriculum is mostly standardized in schools across the country. Primary school lasts from age six to eleven, junior high (college) lasts from age eleven to fifteen, and high school (lycee) goes from fifteen to eighteen. The grade numbering system in France count starting from grade eleven, which is the first year, to first grade at age sixteen or seventeen, and terminale for seventeen and eighteen year olds. At the end of the final year of secondary schooling, students must take the baccalaureat to qualify for university or a profession.
Higher education in France is state funded, and thus tuition fees are generally very low. Three degrees are available that are equivalent to bachelor, master, and doctorate.
Trivia
France is the most visited country in the world - an estimated 82 million tourists travel to France every year.
Almost one-fifth of France's territory is not in Europe.
About one-fifth of France's population resides near Paris.
The French greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, but the number of kisses exchanged varies by region, and range from one kiss to five.
The French have one of the highest life expectancies in the EU.
French toast and french fries did not originate in France
Last Update on: May 16, 2012
