Facts about France |
|
| Name | French Republic |
| Continent | Europe |
| Capital | Paris |
| Largest City | Paris |
| Area | 674,843 square kilometers (260,668 square miles) |
| Population | 65,350,000 (2012) |
| GDP (PPP) per capita | $35,520 (2012) |
| Form of Government | Republic |
| Administrative Units | 27 regions |
| National Holiday | Bastille Day – July 14 |
| Head of State | President Francois Hollande |
| Head of Government | Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault |
| Currency | Euro |
| Major Languages | French |
| Major Religions | Roman Catholic, Protestant |
Where is France?
France is a country located on the western edge of the European continent. It is bordered by Belgium and Luxembourg to the north, Germany and Switzerland to the east, Italy to the southeast and Spain to the southwest.
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Paris is the capital of France. It is located in the northern region of France on the Seine River. One of the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, Paris is also a cultural capital. Paris is the largest city in France with an estimated population of 2,193,031. Owing to its location and the beautiful destinations in the city, Paris is the most-visited city in the world. The famous Eiffel Tower is also located in Paris.
What are the administrative divisions of France?
France is divided into twenty-seven administrative regions that are further divided into 101 departments.
Who are the political leaders of France?
France is a democratic Republic with the prime minister as the head of government and the president as the head of state. The current President of France is Francois Hollande, and the Prime Minister of France is Jean-Marc Ayrault.
What currency is used in France?
The currency of France is the euro, which was introduced in the world financial market in 1999. The currency and coins appeared in participating countries in 2002. France started using the Euro as its currency on January 1st, 2002 like many other members of the Eurozone.
The euro is a legal currency in the Eurozone overseas territories of French Guiana, Reunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. The Euro is divided into 100 cents, sometimes referred to as eurocents. Euro coins from one country can be used in another country.
The Government of France is a semi-presidential system, based on the French Constitution of the fifth Republic. The nation declares itself as "an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic" in the French Constitution of the fifth Republic.
The divisions of the national Government of France are the executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The President of France possesses a degree of direct executive power. His appointee, the Prime Minister has the maximum executive powers. When the President chooses the Prime Minister, he must have the confidence of the National Assembly. The National Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament. The Prime Minister of France is always elected from the majority party of the lower house of the Parliament.
The Parliament is made up of the National Assembly and the Senate. The various functions of the Parliament include passing of statutes and votes on the budget. The Parliament checks the various actions of the Executive through formal questioning on the floors of the National Assembly and the Senate.
The Constitutional Council checks the constitutionality of the statutes. The President of the Republic, the President of the Senate and the President of the National Assembly appoint the members of this body.
What is the official language of France?
French is the official language of France spoken by more than 300 million people. Breton, Flemish, Spanish, Catalan, and Basque, Provencal are the other languages spoken around the country. Some dialects of Italian are also used by some.
What is the religion of France?
France is a predominantly Roman Catholic country. Since the 1970s, France has become a very secular country. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen says that Freedom of religion is a constitutional right.
After Catholicism, other commonly practiced religions in France include Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
What are the features of the economy of France?
France is one of the leading economic powers in the world. Machinery, automobiles, chemicals, aircraft, electronics equipment, textiles, and food processing are the major industries. Mining for coal, iron ore, and bauxite are the important major mineral resources. Nuclear energy boosts the national income. Tourism is also a significant part of the economy; the national capital Paris is the most-visited city in the world.
When did France achieve independence?
The history of independence of France spans many wars, the most memorable one being the French Revolution. The storming of the Bastille in 1789 sparked the revolution with the national cry for Equality, Liberty and Fraternity. The Revolution brought in sweeping reforms in the country; France became a constitutional monarchy. The Bastille Day is celebrated on the 14th of July every day to commemorate this day. France experienced many numerous crises and political and social upheavals in the twentieth century. It had a major role to play in the Second World War and suffered heavy damage and loss. However, it emerged from the ruins of the war and is now one of the leading countries in the world.
ACOD~20121206
Last Updated On : December 21, 2012
