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    More History Resources
     The Campaigns of Napoleon
    The Campaigns of Napoleon

    David G. Chandler
     Louis Xiv And The Greatness Of France
    Louis Xiv And The Greatness Of France

    Maurice P. Ashley
     Madame Tussaud: A Life in Wax
    Madame Tussaud: A Life in Wax

    Kate Berridge
     The Private Lives of the Impressionists
    The Private Lives of the Impressionists

    Sue Roe
     Earthly Powers: The Clash of Religion and Politics in Europe, from the French Revolution to the Great War
    Earthly Powers: The Clash of Religion and Politics in Europe, from the French Revolution to the Great War

    Michael Burleigh


    About the Country


    French maps, French history, French regions, French reference
    Background: 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. 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 advent of the euro in January 1999. Today, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus.

    Map of France
    Map courtesy of www.theodora.com/maps
    used with permission.



    Geography

    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

    Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 2 00 E

    Area:
    total: 547,030 sq km
    land: 545,630 sq km
    water: 1,400 sq km
    note: includes only metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative divisions

    Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Colorado

    Land boundaries:
    total: 2,889 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

    Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash


    People

    Population: 60,424,213 (July 2004 est.)

    Population growth rate: 0.39% (2004 est.)

    Birth rate: 12.34 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

    Ethnic groups: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities

    Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers) 1%, unaffiliated 6%

    Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)


    Government

    Government type: republic

    Capital: Paris

    Independence: 486 (unified by Clovis)

    National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)

    Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts


    Economy

    Labor force: 27.1 million (2003 est.)

    Unemployment rate: 9.6% (2003 est.)

    Exports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, iron and steel products; agricultural products, textiles and clothing

    Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, chemicals; agricultural products

    Currency: euro (EUR)


    Military

    Military branches: Army (includes Marines), Navy (includes Naval Air), Air Force (includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie

    Military expenditures - dollar figure: $45,238.1 million (2003)


    Source of background and statistical data: The World Factbook
    For more on France, click here

    Featured Reading
     Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy's Guide (Eminent Lives)
    Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy's Guide (Eminent Lives)

    Joseph Epstein
     The First Men In: U.S. Paratroopers and the Fight to Save D-Day
    The First Men In: U.S. Paratroopers and the Fight to Save D-Day

    Ed Ruggero




    Maps Links
  • ArcData Online
  • Clickable map of France
  • Fact Monster
  • Gheos.com - Map of France
  • Historical Maps of Europe
  • Map Machine National Geographic.com
  • Map of France and Monaco
  • MapQuest


  • WorldAtlas.com

    WorldAtlas.com


    Reference Links
  • Atlapedia Online
  • Britannica.com
  • CountryReports.org
  • National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies
  • The World Factbook
  • World Desk Reference
  • WorldInformation.com


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    History Links
  • DiscoverFrance.com : History of France
  • French History: Renaissance
  • H-France
  • History of France
  • History of France - Primary Documents
  • World History Archives


  • Library Spot

    Regional Links
  • Aix-les-Bains
  • Alsace
  • Avignon et Provence
  • Chantilly
  • *
  • Courchevel
  • Loire Valley
  • Lourdes
  • Normandy
  • Reims
  • Strasbourg

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