Characteristics of the European country France. Information about France: general information, photos. Description, characteristics of the country France. State map. Science and culture of France
FRANCE, GENERAL INFORMATION.
Official name: France, French Republic (République française French),
French Republic
Based: 843 (Treaty of Verdun) from 1958 - Fifth Republic.
Capital: Paris.
Official language: French.
Currency unit: Euro.
Political system: presidential-parliamentary republic.
Head of State: The president.
Head of the government: Prime Minister
Parliament: bicameral (Senate and National Assembly).
Square: 674.8 thousand sq. km, ranks 48th in the world.
Population: 65.4 million people.
Population density: 115 people per 1 sq. km.
Information about France. Description of France.
France simply cannot help but attract people, because it is the center of fashion, culture, the birthplace of love. It is therefore not surprising that 60 million tourists come to France every year. In France you will not be bored at any time of the year and everyone will find something for themselves. They combine here beautiful beaches Cote d'Azur and ski resorts of the French Alps. Culture connoisseurs will be able to visit the unique collections of the museums of the Louvre, Montmartre, Picasso, Rodin and many others. Most cities in France are of great interest in themselves. The nature of the country is no less beautiful than the architecture of the cities, numerous vineyards, health resorts... here you will find everything you could possibly want.
The largest country in Europe by territory is France. Its area is 551 thousand square meters. km. belongs to France large island in the Mediterranean Sea - Corsica. France also has distant, overseas possessions. The largest and most famous is the island of Tahiti.
But its population is not small - 61.1 million people; however, in this respect, France is significantly inferior to, for example, Germany (82 million inhabitants).
The capital of France is the city of Paris on the Seine River. This Big city with a population of 10 million people (note that almost every sixth Frenchman lives in Paris). Here are famous historical and architectural monuments: Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris(Notre Dame), Eiffel Tower, Louvre Palace Museum and many others.
Paris is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cities peace. It is located in the center of the historical region of Ile-de-France. This is where the unification of French lands began in the past.
Western and northern regions of France - plains and lowlands; in the center and east there are mountains medium height(French Massif Central, Vosges, Jura). In the southwest are the Pyrenees, in the southeast are the Alps. On French territory there is the highest mountain peak in France and Western Europe - Mont Blanc.
The climate of France is very favorable. Everywhere, even slight negative temperatures in winter are considered rare. On the coast Mediterranean Sea- subtropical, Mediterranean climate. Olive trees are growing. Vegetables and potatoes, wheat, and corn are grown everywhere. Grapes can be grown almost everywhere (except relatively northern Normandy), and is especially famous for them historical region Burgundy. Livestock farming is highly developed. Forests have also been preserved in France. In this respect, France is unique for Western Europe - forests occupy up to a quarter of its territory.
France is a country with highly developed industry. It is a space power with its own spaceport in Oceania and Ariane rockets. Many industries are well developed, but the automotive industry (Renault and Peugeot companies), aircraft manufacturing and light industry, that is, the production of fashionable clothing, are of particular importance for the country. The French are famous everywhere for their culinary art. Many cities are famous for their food.
The history of France dates back to the tribes of the Gauls (Celts), who settled it many centuries BC. Even now France is sometimes called Gaul. Gaul was conquered by Ancient Rome. After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Germanic tribes of the Franks came here and mixed with the Gauls. The Franks were ruled by kings. King Charlemagne united most of Europe in the 8th century, and after his death this huge empire fell apart. The descendants of Charlemagne began to rule France. In the 10th century, the Carolingian family to which they belonged was extinguished. A new king, Hugh Capet, was elected. Paris became the capital.
The Capetians ruled the country until the Great French Revolution of 1789. After the revolution, France became a republic. But very soon the talented and ambitious general Napoleon Bonaparte seized power. He achieved resounding military victories, conquered almost all of Europe, and proclaimed himself emperor. But after his defeat in Russia he was overthrown. France did not remain a monarchy for long and restored the republic.
During World War II, France was occupied by Nazi Germany. But the French could not submit; A Resistance Movement arose, led by Charles de Gaulle, who was elected president after the liberation of France.
France is part of the European Union. The head of state is President Francois Hollande.
Official language- French. The monetary unit is the euro.
The area of France is 551.5 thousand square meters. km, population - 59.5 million people in 2001. In terms of area, France is the third country in Europe (after Russia and Ukraine) and the first in Western Europe (about a fifth of the territory of the European Union), more than twice the area of Great Britain.
In 2000, France ranked fifth in the world in terms of GDP production after the USA, Japan, Germany and Great Britain. Its GDP was $1,294.2 billion (per capita 24,223 per year in 2000 PPP dollars).
France occupies the extreme western part of the European continent and the configuration of the territory resembles a hexagon with maximum distances of no more than 1000 km, and there is not a single settlement, more than 50 km away from the sea coast or river bed.
France owns the island of Corsica and a number of small coastal islands in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as overseas departments and territories - Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Pierre and Mequelon, Reunion, French Guiana, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna - with a total area of 127 thousand sq km, with a population of 1.5 million people. For comparison: on the eve of the Second World War, France's possessions (including trust territories) amounted to 12 million square meters. km with a population of 70 million people.
France can be called an Atlantic and Mediterranean country, a Rhineland and Pyrenean country. Convenience of sea and land connections, hub geographical position among the largest Western European states, in the vicinity of the economic centers of the region (South-East England, Rhineland Germany, Western Switzerland, north-west Italy) contributed to the early development of its economy, the growth of trade and cultural relations. However, this geographical location was also one of the reasons for the repeated invasion of its territory by foreign conquerors.
Natural conditions and resources. Main Differences natural conditions France, like Germany, is caused by a gradual rise in surface from north to south. The entire northern and western part, that is, almost half of the country, is occupied by lowlands. These are areas of former subsidence earth's crust, filled with sedimentary deposits. The most extensive of them are the North French (Aquitaine) Lowland - the main living area of the country. Significant oil deposits are associated with sedimentary deposits of the Aquitaine Lowland. In the central, northeastern and northwestern regions there are ancient Hercynian massifs: the Central French Massif, the Vosges, the Ardennes, and the Armorican massif, formed more than 200 million years ago. Many minerals are associated with these geological structures.
In the south and southwest rise the young mountains of the Alpine folding - the Alps and the Pyrenees. These mountain systems have large reserves of water, their vast alpine and subalpine meadows are used for pastures, forests provide raw materials for the wood processing industry. The main mineral resources of France are iron ores, bauxite, tungsten, lead, tin, and silver. However, the country is not rich enough in energy resources: reserves of coal, oil and gas are insignificant. More important are the uranium reserves in the Massif Central and the energy of mountain rivers, in particular the Rhone and its Alpine tributaries. In the future, there are great opportunities to use the energy of sea tides, which reach 12–16 meters in height off the coast of France. The most important mineral resources are located on the outskirts of the country. Deposits of coal, potash and rock salts are located in the northeast of the country (Alsace). There is a lot of iron ore in Lorraine, but it is poor in iron content. In the south of the country - in Provence and Languedoc - there are bauxites, but their mining is currently suspended due to unprofitability. France is rich in natural building materials.
The climate of France is formed under the influence of Atlantic air masses and is characterized as maritime, moderately warm and humid. In most of the country (excluding the mountains), winter temperatures are positive, there is usually no snow cover, and the rivers do not freeze. Annual precipitation is 600–1000 mm. Only in the north-west of the country (Brittany) does agriculture suffer from excess moisture, and on the Mediterranean coast (Mediterranean climate) from lack of moisture in the summer. The mildest winter is the extreme eastern part of the French coast - the Riviera (in Nice average temperature July +230, January +80). Climatic conditions allow the cultivation of crops from both the temperate zone and the subtropics (citrus fruits in Corsica).
France has many rivers, but few lakes. Rivers have large reserves of hydroelectric power, especially the Rhone and its tributaries, which account for half of the hydropower reserves, and the rivers of the Massif Central - 20%.
The soils are brown forest, humus-carbonate, quite fertile, especially the soils of the North French Lowland.
France is a country international tourism and mountaineering. Favorable climate, historical and architectural monuments, huge opportunities for the development of mountaineering and winter sports in the mountains, dense network good roads, hotels and restaurants attract tens of millions of foreigners, and all this brings large revenues to the country.
The nature of France is highly cultivated by man: 33% of the area is arable land; 27% – forests (mostly planted); 21% – pastures and hayfields; 2.5% – vineyards, orchards and vegetable gardens; 17% – developed and unused land.
Population. Political system. France is a country of relatively homogeneous ethnic composition. About 97% of its population are French, one of the Romance peoples of Europe. In ancient times, the territory of France was inhabited by Gauls (Celts), hence its ancient name- Gaul. The Gauls later mixed with the Roman conquerors and Germanic tribes. The name "French", like "France", comes from the Germanic tribe of the Franks, who conquered in the 5th century. BC. northern part countries.
Other national minorities - Alsatians and Lorraineers, Basques, Corsicans live on the periphery of the country, as well as immigrants (Italians, Portuguese, Moroccans, Algerians, etc.). They make up more than 4 million people – 7–8% of total number population. France's population is growing faster than other countries large countries Europe, as the state encourages an increase in the birth rate and immigration. France has welcomed immigrants throughout its history. France's population is 1% of the population globe(17th place in the world). The average birth rate in 2000 was 12.3/1000, mortality rate – 9.1/1000, infant mortality rate – 4.5/1000. The average life expectancy in 2000 was 78.8 years, including: men – 74.8, women – 82.9 years. The working-age population makes up 42% of the total, in the USA this figure is 48%, in Japan - 49%. Women make up 51.3% of the country's population.
Social class structure of the population: 85% of the workforce are wage earners (workers and employees), 12% are small entrepreneurs in towns and villages and helping family members, and about 3% are large business employers who control the bulk of the national wealth and politics of France. The standard of living of the population is approximately the same as in Germany and Great Britain, but 2–2.5 times higher than in modern Russia.
Almost all religions are represented in France, however, among believers, Catholics make up 81.2% of the total population, Muslims - 6.9%, Protestants - 1.6%, Orthodox - 0.3%, other religions - 10%. The influence of the church is weaker than in Italy and Spain.
France provides compulsory free education for children from 6 to 16 years of age, but secondary education is largely different from other education systems. European countries and consists of the following levels: mother school (corresponding to our kindergartens), primary, college, lyceum and high school. The peculiarity of the education system is that the state is responsible for the content and organization of education, provides professional training, recruitment, management and remuneration of teachers. Along with state educational institutions, there are also private ones, especially those providing denominational (Catholic) education; they cover about 20% of students. The entire education system is characterized by a differentiated approach to students' abilities, an informal atmosphere in educational groups and a trusting relationship with teachers. Education is secular in nature and built on the principles of political, ideological and religious impartiality.
In 1998, the number of schoolchildren and students exceeded 15 million people, accounting for a quarter of the country's population. In addition, the education system is the largest employer, employing over 1.2 million people - just over half of the total number of government employees. Government spending on education amounts to 7.4% of GDP.
Three quarters of the population lives in cities, with half in individual residential buildings. Main form urban settlements are agglomerations, and in rural areas small villages and hamlets are typical. There are 52 agglomerations (urban areas) in France, which account for about 60% of all city residents. Five of them are the largest. The Paris metropolitan area is home to 10.6 million people, or 17.5% of the country's population. In France, as in Great Britain, the importance of the capital is exceptionally great, which stands out sharply in terms of the number of inhabitants among other centers. The next largest agglomerations are Lyon (1.6 million people), Marseille (1.4 million people), Lille (1.1 million people), Toulouse (0.9 million people); they are 7–10 times inferior to Paris. Therefore, the country's government is pursuing a policy of curbing the growth of Paris. The construction of new factories and other facilities is limited here, and the development of other economic regions and centers is stimulated.
France is a presidential republic. The constitution of 1958 with amendments is in force.
The head of state is the president, elected for a term of 7 years by direct universal suffrage, endowed with broad powers: he appoints members of the government, is the supreme commander in chief, and has the right to dissolve the National Assembly.
The highest legislative body is the parliament, consisting of two chambers - the National Assembly, elected for a period of 5 years, and the Senate; senators are elected for 9 years; Every three years the composition of the Senate is renewed by one third.
The government is responsible to parliament and may be subject to a vote of no confidence by the National Assembly. This requires an absolute majority of votes of all deputies.
France is divided into 96 departments and 36.6 thousand communes. In most cases, departments are named after the rivers and mountains located on their territory. National minorities, with the exception of Corsicans, do not have autonomy.
Largest political parties: French Socialist Party, Rally for the Republic, Union for French Democracy, Communist Party of France, National Front.
France cannot but attract tourists. This is the center of European fashion, culture, the birthplace of love. Here they combine beautiful beaches Cote d'Azur, chic ski resorts of the French Alps and austere medieval architecture of ancient cities. Everyone can choose their own France: castles, museums, palaces, beaches, vineyards and wine-growing areas, health resorts and colorful nature, ski resorts and the splendor of the Alps.
France is sea shores And high mountains. She washes herself Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea. The two mountain systems of the Alps and the Pyrenees form its natural boundaries. A wide variety of itineraries can be created for traveling around France. This is a country rich history and great ideas, the birthplace of fashion and champagne. This is a gentle sea Cote d'Azur, the best ski resorts, famous mud and hydropathic baths and wine therapy, these are respectable Biarritz and Deauville and majestic medieval castles Loire.
France, Paris, Versailles - these words always evoke romance and slight sadness. This amazing and unusual European country is very popular among tourists from all over the world. Especially for lovers and newlyweds. After all, each of us at least once in our lives dreamed of climbing the Eiffel Tower with our loved one and giving him the most tender kiss. Yes, indeed, France is a country of romantics and for romantics. There is no mass for material values here, here you forget about the outside world, here you want to fall in love and stay alive. Snow-white mountain slopes and picturesque beaches, endless hilly valleys and lace vineyards, small fairy-tale villages and modern metropolises - this is all France. The first people appeared in this territory more than 450 thousand years ago. After this, the confusing and mysterious history of the largest European state began. Each era has left its mark here: these are the majestic castles of the Loire, and cave paintings, and Notre Damme de Paris.
Geography
State in Western Europe. In the northeast it borders with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, in the east - with Germany, Switzerland, in the southeast - with Monaco and Italy, in the southwest - with Spain and Andorra. France is washed by the North and Mediterranean Seas, the Pas de Calais, the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. total area is 551 thousand sq. km. Largest rivers France - Loire, Seine, Garonne, Rhone and Rhine. They are mostly flat and navigable. With the exception of two high mountain ranges - the Alps in the southeast and the Pyrenees in the southwest, the country's territory is mostly hilly, with extensive lowlands and highlands and medium-altitude mountains. Highest point France (and all of foreign Europe) - Mont Blanc (4807 m).
Time
It lags behind Moscow by an hour.
Climate
The west of the country has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. The average monthly temperature of the coldest month - February - ranges from +5 to +7 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +2 degrees, the maximum reaches + 9 degrees. The hottest time of the year is August. The average monthly temperature in August is from +16 to +18 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +12 degrees, the maximum reaches +22 degrees. The driest months are May, June, and July, with monthly precipitation ranging from 50 to 70 mm. The rainiest time of the year is December, the amount of precipitation for this month is up to 150 mm.
In eastern France, the climate is close to temperate continental, resulting in colder winters and hotter summers. The average monthly temperature of the coldest month - January - ranges from 0 to +2 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to -2 degrees, the maximum reaches + 4 degrees. The hottest time of the year is July. The average monthly temperature in July ranges from +18 to +20 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +14 degrees, the maximum reaches +25 degrees. The driest months are February, March and April, with monthly rainfall ranging from 30 to 45 mm. The rainiest time of the year is summer (June-August), monthly precipitation can reach 80 mm.
On the south Mediterranean coast A subtropical climate prevails with mild and damp winters and hot and dry summers. The average monthly temperature of the coldest month - January - ranges from +6 to +8 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +2 degrees, the maximum reaches + 12 degrees. In winter, “mistral” winds are very frequent, blowing from the north and bringing cold weather. The hottest time of the year is July. The average monthly temperature in July ranges from +22 to +24 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +18 degrees, the maximum reaches +29 degrees. The driest months are July and August, with monthly precipitation ranging from 10 to 30 mm. The rainiest times of the year are October, November and December, with monthly precipitation in each of them ranging from 80 to 120 mm. The water temperature on this coast warms up to its maximum in July and August and ranges from +22 to +24 degrees; in June, September and October it does not drop below +19 degrees, and the rest of the year it is +12..+16 degrees.
The climate in the mountains is characterized by lower temperatures than in the plain areas. There is more precipitation. Snow cover persists at high altitudes. For example, Mont Blanc is covered with snow all year round.
Language
All residents of France speak French. In western Brittany approx. 1250 thousand Bretons use the Breton language, which belongs to the Celtic group, in the Pyrenees approx. 200 thousand Basques speak Basque, and approx. 250 thousand Catalans - in Catalan. The Italian dialect - Corsican - is spoken by 250 thousand Corsicans on the island of Corsica. In the northeast of the country in Alsace and some areas of Lorraine, approx. 1 million people speak a dialect of German, and almost 150 thousand people in the Dunkirk region speak Flemish.
Religion
Catholicism is professed by 4/5 of the country's population, 1/4 of the population regularly attends church. About 12% of the population, including over 1/3 of those living in the Paris metropolitan area, consider themselves atheists. Muslims (mostly migrants from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali and Mauritania) make up 3% of the population. About 2% of the population profess Protestantism and 1% Judaism.
Population
IN historical time France has repeatedly been the scene of migrations of different peoples; as a result of the mixing of these heterogeneous elements, the modern population of the country was formed. However, three racial groups are distinguished: Mediterranean (South European), Central European (Alpine) and Northern European (Baltic). The Mediterranean group is characterized by short stature and a frail build, dark hair, brown eyes and an oval face. The Central European community is characteristic mainly of the French Massif Central region and is distinguished by short stature, stocky build, and light brown hair. The main characteristics of the Northern European group are tall stature, muscular build, blond hair, white skin and blue or gray eyes.
On January 1, 2001, the population of France was 60.7 million people, equivalent to 16% of the population of the entire European Union. Of these, 59 million live in the metropolis and 1.7 million live in 4 overseas departments. Over the past decade, the country's population has increased by approximately 250 thousand people per year: by approximately 200 thousand people due to natural growth and by 50 thousand due to migration influx. At the same time, France is one of the densely populated territories of the planet, but moderately populated in Europe: in terms of density, it ranks 9th in the European Union, far behind the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany and Italy. According to the 1999 census, there were 4.3 million immigrants in France (i.e. about 7% of the population), most of whom were Arabs from the Maghreb, Africans from tropical Africa, the Portuguese, Spaniards, Chinese and Vietnamese. Moreover, from 1990 to 1999 the number of immigrants increased by 3%, that is, it increased in the same proportion as the rest of the population, which causes discontent among many native French.
Electricity
Emergency numbers
Fire protection - 18
Police - 17
Ambulance (SAMU) - 15
Pan-European Rescue Service - 112
Emergency (automotive) - 05-10-6106
SOS Medecine (urgent call to a doctor) - 47-07-77-77
SOS Dentaire (urgent call to the dentist) - 43-37-51-00
Center anti-poison (for poisoning) - 40-37-0404 or 43-37-5100
Ambulances de Paris (AP) - 40-44-4345
Medical assistance in Paris - 48-87-27-50
Help Desk - 12
Connection
Local conversation costs 1 franc. Automatic telephone communications from Moscow: 8 8-10-33-1 (Paris), 56 (Bordeaux), 93 (Cannes), 88 (Strasbourg), 91 (Marseille), 78 (Lyon), 93 (Nice). Automatic telephone communication from Paris: 19 + country code + city code + subscriber number. (For example, Moscow: 19-007-095+...). From most telephone booths you can only make calls using a calling card (Telecarte). Such cards can be purchased at post offices or tobacco stores. In some surviving payphones you can use coins of 0.5, 1 or 5 francs. Telephone inquiries in France: 12. To call from France to Russia you need to dial 007 - area code - subscriber number.
Currency exchange
The currency of France is the Euro, equal to 100 cents. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. It is recommended to take care of purchasing currency before entering the country. The most favorable exchange rate is offered by the Bank de France and exchange offices with the “No Commission” sign. Kiosks at airports, hotels and train stations do not offer the most favorable rate, plus they charge a percentage for the transaction, but their opening hours are very convenient. For exchanging dollars, most exchange offices charge a 15% commission, although this is not indicated anywhere. Traveler's checks can be easily cashed at a bank or exchange office. Credit cards widespread. With checks in France you can receive an amount not exceeding 60 euros at a time; it is better to take checks in euro currency with you. It is also profitable to exchange currency through ATM machines.
VAT (TVA) is 20.6% (33% for luxury goods) and is included in the price of many goods. Foreigners who purchase goods in one store for an amount of at least 185 euros can receive a tax refund. The money is returned at customs when crossing the border upon presentation of the check and the goods, or the check is sent to your place of residence and cashed at the bank.
Banks are usually open on weekdays from 10.00 to 17.00 or from 9.30 to 16.00, closed on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. On the eve of holidays they work only in the first half of the day. In the province, banks are open from Tuesday to Saturday. The break is usually from 13.00 to 15.00; on holiday eves they also close earlier than usual. Currency exchange offices are open daily from 9.00 to 18.00, closed on Sundays.
Visa
Russian citizens need a visa to enter France. It is processed at the French Embassy in Moscow. France is a member of the Schengen Agreement. With a French visa you can stay in the territory of 15 countries included in the Schengen zone (Portugal, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Germany, Greece and Austria). Visas to France are short-term and multiple-entry. Depending on the purpose of the visit to the embassy, you must provide: a document confirming the hotel reservation (the purpose of the trip is tourism), an invitation from the French side (the purpose of the trip is private). If the purpose of the trip is business, then the invitation must be issued on the company’s letterhead with the signature of the director (original with a photocopy). Due to the increase in consular fees from January 1, when applying for a Schengen visa at the French Embassy, the cost of obtaining a visa increases to 50 euros.
Customs regulations
Allowed duty-free import of cigarettes - 200 pcs., strong drinks - 1 l., wine - 2 l., perfume - 50 g, cologne - 500 g, coffee - 500 g, tea - 40 g, food (fish - 2 kg ., caviar - 250 g., animal products - 1 kg., new things or food for personal consumption - in the amount of no more than 300 francs (150 francs for children under 15 years of age. The import of gold bullion is prohibited). in the form of plates and coins - without the permission of the country's bank, illegally produced printed materials are subject to mandatory customs control when exporting: weapons, antiques and art, products made of gold and precious metals. If their value exceeds 20 thousand francs, a duty is charged. in the amount of 6-7% of their value. So, upon entry, do not forget to declare expensive jewelry, so that later you can easily remove them. The amount of imported and exported means of payment is not limited. .
Holidays and non-working days
Holidays in France - unique phenomenon. Their uniqueness lies in the variegated diversity and combination of provincial cultures, the origins of which go back to antiquity and the Middle Ages. There are dozens in France major cities and hundreds of small villages. Each of these places has its own traditional holidays and festive culture. The French zealously observe the traditions of their regions, which carry with them a separate uniqueness and originality. These holidays include religious celebrations of saints, ancient carnivals, and festivals. Each province has its own holiday calendar, containing so many similar folk festivals that celebrations occur almost every weekend. The French generally like to relax and thoroughly celebrate both the founding day of their city and the day of the local horse breed. The main thing is to have your own identity, the cultural exclusivity of the holiday in your own province, delicious food and, of course, wine.
1st of January ( New Year), Easter, May 1 (Labor Day), May 8 (Liberation Day), May 20 (Ascension), May 30-31 (Trinity), July 14 (Bastille Day), August 15 (Assumption of the Virgin), November 1 ( All Saints' Day), November 11 (Armistice Day in the First World War), December 25 (Christmas). In addition, when planning visits to your partners in France, keep in mind that summer time for two months - July and August - business life in France comes to a standstill, and everyone goes on vacation, so visits must be planned excluding dates between June 15 and September 15 to be sure. In addition, during the Christmas holidays, it is not customary to make business visits from December 20 to January 14, since many also take additional vacation at this time.
Transport
France has an extensive railway network. Travel costs railway depends on the distance, travel time and age of the passenger. There are many intercity routes in the country bus routes. A bus ticket costs less than railway ticket. In France there is a whole system of discounts and international single tickets. You can use the EurailPass, which provides unlimited travel in first class for the entire duration of its validity.
Also used is the Europass, which can only be used for a certain number of days during its validity period (from 5 to 15 days within 2 months, valid only in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland). Eurail Saverpass offers discounts for 2 or more people traveling together. The Eurail Flexipass for a specific period allows you to travel for a limited number of days.
There are 16 metro lines in Paris, designated by the names of the end stations, so you need to know the name of the end station of the line you need. The metro operates from 5.30 am to 1 am. The distances between metro stations are usually very short. With one ticket you can make as many transfers as you like (“correspondance”). Metro tickets are also valid for buses and RER trains within Paris. A ticket for 1 trip costs 1.5 euros, for 10 trips - 7-8 euros, depending on the zone. There are also weekly tickets (“coupon jaune”, valid from Monday to Sunday) and monthly (“carte orange”), costing according to transport zones from 10 to 25 euros.
French taxis do not have a special light signal - outside, near the windshield, there is a meter with a flag (raised - the taxi is free, lowered - occupied). Tolls will be charged according to the meter. In Paris, the basic fare for any trip is 2 euros, plus in the daytime - from 50 cents per kilometer, at night - about 1 euro, for luggage - 1-2 euros. Outside the city, prices are approximately 40% higher; you should agree to pay in advance, since in this case the return trip to the city is also paid. Taxi waiting time is charged at 20 euros per hour. Tip the driver - about 10%. It's not easy to catch a car on the street.
Among European countries, France is one of the most difficult to hitchhike. A respectable appearance is desirable. The waiting time will be reduced if a large backpack is visible behind your back. On the country's highways, the most dangerous sections are painted in bright colors (tunnel pavement is white, bicycle lanes are red, pedestrian crossings are green, intersections are black and white).
Tips
If the restaurant bill does not indicate “service compris”, then the waiter is given a tip of 5-10% of the cost of the service. It is customary to tip the taxi driver in the same amount. At the hotel, the porter is given 5-10 francs per bed, and the maid is given 5-7 francs.
The shops
Features of the stores. Stores in France operate according to a kind of “seasonal schedule”:
January-February - winter clothes, sales until the second week of February.
March is the fashion of the spring-summer season.
April-May - goods for the holiday season.
June is the beginning of sales.
July-August - preparation for the new school year, sales.
September-October - winter fashion.
November-December - gifts for Christmas and New Year.
Items purchased on sale cannot be returned or exchanged. This is indicated by the inscription on the check “Ni repris, ni echange”. Regular items can be exchanged if you have a receipt. Starting from a certain amount, customers of many large stores are provided with free delivery.
Most shops are open from 10:00 to 19:00 and 20:00. Supermarkets and grocery stores are open from 9:00 or 10:00 to 21:00 (some until 22:00), on Saturday until 20:00. There are very few 24-hour grocery stores. Sunday is a day off. Small shops may be closed on Mondays. In the province, many shops are open with a lunch break from 12:00 to 14:00.
Bargaining in France can only be done at markets, but this is usually not successful. The “1+1=3″ system is very developed there, that is, when you buy two items, the third one is free. In such cases, prices are always indicated directly on the product. One of the oldest department stores in Paris is Le Printemps, which opened in 1864. Parisians believe that Le Printemps is the most visited historical monument French capital. More than 80 thousand people come here every day. Shopping complex- This real city, it is divided into three “districts”.
National cuisine
French cuisine is considered one of the best in the world. Its most famous products are croissants, chocolate bread, baguette, long loaves, as well as Burgundy snails, cocotte eggs with tarragon, socca pea flour pancakes, Lyonnaise sausages, lobster with parsley, pie onion pisaladie and, of course, onion soup. Plus the mandatory use of a variety of sauces (more than 3,000 recipes) and a variety of spices. Moreover, each region of the country has its own traditional cuisine, often completely different from its “neighbors”.
The cuisine of Burgundy is famous for its cheeses (chaurs, vézelay, macon, epoisse, Charolais and sumantran), Chablis sausages, chicken in red wine, Dijon mustard, Burgundy snails, goat cheese from Macon, poultry from Bresse, ham with parsley, Burgundy truffles, and the famous Charolais beef. Haute cider and blackcurrant liqueur are very popular.
The cuisine of Provence, Languedoc and Gascony is distinguished by its spiciness and extensive use of wines and spices for cooking. On the Loire coast you can try extraordinary dishes made from dandelion leaves and freshwater fish. Alsatian cuisine is very similar to German.
Brittany is widely known for its " seafood cuisine", almost all edible representatives are used here for food marine fauna, and fish, oysters, crabs, lobsters, lobsters and shrimp are used to prepare every second dish. Also popular are “crepes” - a type of pancake with a variety of fillings.
The cuisine of Provence is, first of all, bouillabaisse various types fish with rouille sauce, fresh mussels in onion broth with spices, boat-shaped bread - "navette", dishes of crabs and fish in sauce or fried with anise liqueur on the grill, fish soup with garlic sauce - "burrida", vegetable stew "ratatouille" and lamb ragout, Provençal tomatoes, goat cheese, truffles, etc., all generously seasoned with olive oil. And, of course, the famous "nougat" from Montelimar.
Normandy is famous for its dairy products, primarily cheese (Camembert, Pont-Leveque, Livaro, Neufchatel, etc.), sour cream and mushrooms, added to almost all dishes, as well as Vire sausage and "tru Normand" - apple fruit ice cream in Calvados.
Corsica is famous for its brocchiu sheep's milk cheeses, coppa ham, fig jam, omelet with mint and cheese, game, corn porridge, seafood, delicious sweets, several types of honey and strawberry jam. Excellent meat dishes are prepared here - chestnut soup with onions and garlic in meat broth, pork fillet "lonzu", ham "prizuttu", bacon with eggs or baked potatoes "panzetta" and smoked liver sausage "figatella". The most popular “fruit” on the island is the sweet chestnut, from which great amount dishes, as well as the Corsican variety of tangerines - “clementine”.
France produces thousands of varieties of excellent wine “of all colors”; the vineyards are considered the national treasure of this country, which gave the world cognac (in its modern sense), champagne and the famous Armagnacs.
Attractions
Loire castles The Renaissance is part of human culture and history, if you like, its foundation, without which the idea of civilization would not be complete. Of course, you shouldn’t discover the Loire in a hurry, go here to check a box, that is, for one day, go there and immediately back. The impression may be blurred, but the castles are worth a leisurely glance. If you choose a season, the best time is autumn, when the flow subsides bus tourists, and the summer haze gives way to clear fresh air, when you feel the softness of the colors and the tranquility of the surrounding landscape. They say that the healing climate of the Loire has had a beneficial effect on more than one soul.
One of the most beautiful churches Paris - Sacre Coeur(“Sacre Coeur” - Church of the Heart of Christ). No matter where you are in the city, your gaze will definitely linger on the white domes of the Sacre Coeur Basilica, rising majestically on the top of Montmartre Hill. In its architectural appearance there is a clear imitation of the Cathedral of San Fro in Perigueux in southwestern France. Situated at the top of Montmartre, the Sacré-Coeur Basilica was designed by the architect Abadie. The temple was built in memory of the victims of the Franco-Prussian War; funds for its construction were collected by public subscription.
Triumphal Arch:
height 49.51 m, width 44.82 m, vault height 29.19 m. Built in 1806-1836. according to the project of the architect. Chalgrena. Decorated with four sculptural groups: from the Champs Elysees side - “Marseillaise” sc. Ryuda (right) and "Triumph 1810" sk. Corto; from Avenue de la Grande-Arme - “Resistance” (right) and “Peace” sc. Etexa. On the walls of the arch are engraved the names of 128 battles won by the Republican and Imperial armies, as well as the names of 658 French military leaders. The arch is surrounded by one hundred granite pedestals (in honor of the “hundred days” of Napoleon’s reign), interconnected by cast iron chains. The inscription on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: “Here lies a French soldier who gave his life for his homeland, 1914-1919.”
One of the most visited attractions in France. Estate of Vaux-le-Vicomte(Vaux-Le-Vicompte) was built in the 1650s for Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV's minister of finance. The best craftsmen of that time worked on the palace: Levo, Le Nôtre and Lebrun. But the minister never got to enjoy country life. Three weeks after the housewarming party, which was attended by the king, Fouquet was arrested and placed in prison, and the palace was given to His Majesty. At the entrance, pay attention to the tapestries, which served as a model for the Parisian masters who were mastering the new production. The only room that has not changed since construction is the kitchen.
Versailles occupies the top position in the list of attractions that tourists want to see outside the city. The electric train, following line C with stops along the left bank of the Seine, will quickly take you there. When you get off at Versailles station, you can easily follow the signs to walk or take a bus to the palace, which is located very close to the station. The interior of the palace is open daily, except Mondays, from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, and the extensive parks are open from morning to night. A guided tour of the palace (no guide allowed) takes about an hour, but you may have to wait in line for as long.
Famous Champs Elysees stretch between the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. Compared to the two-thousand-year age of Paris, the Champs Elysees is a relatively young street. Once upon a time there lay a dried up branch of the Seine, and until the beginning of the 16th century these were swampy places where French kings came to hunt ducks. In 1616, at the direction of Marie de Medici, three alleys with elms were laid here, and in 1667, under the leadership of the landscape architect Le Nôtre, a walking area was built that continued the Tuileries Garden. The first houses appeared on the Champs Elysees when construction began royal palace in Versailles.
Eiffel Tower: height: 318.7 m. Weight: about 10,000 tons. Number of prefabricated metal elements: 15,000. Number of welded rivets: 2.5 million. Pressure exerted on the ground: 4 kg/cm2 (= pressure of a person sitting on chair). Oscillation of the top in the strongest wind: no more than 12 cm. Height of observation platforms: lower - 57 m, middle - 115 m, upper - 274 m. Number of steps of the staircase leading to the lower observation deck: 1652. Regularity of cosmetic repairs: every 7 years (60 tons of paint in three shades). 10,400 people can be on the tower at the same time. In addition to serving tourists, the tower is used for radio and television broadcasts, as well as a weather service station. Service personnel: 350 people. Average number of visitors per year: 6 million people. In clear weather, the viewing radius from the upper observation deck is up to 70 km (best visibility is an hour before sunset). Chronicle Eiffel Tower January 1887 - March 31, 1889 construction of foundations and installation of the tower (300 climbers).
Ile de la Cité- “the beginning of all beginnings”, the cradle of the French capital. Back in the 3rd century BC, the Celtic tribe of Parisians lived on the island of Seine. Around 52 BC, the Roman conquerors who came to Gaul settled on the island, giving it the name "Lutetia". First, a small garrison town appeared here, and then villas, Baths (Roman baths), a necropolis, an aqueduct, a theater and two temples were built on the island and on the left bank of the Seine. At the beginning of the 3rd century, the area of the island was 10 hectares (the area of modern Cité is 17 hectares).
Louvre- this is not only an architectural monument, like the palace of the French kings, but also one of the most famous museums peace. It contains richest collection various exhibits. Here you can find bas-reliefs from Assyrian palaces, Egyptian paintings and much more.
Beginning with the fortress of Philip-Augustus (1190), the Louvre gradually expanded along the right bank of the Seine, until the completion of the Great Project "Grand Dessein" (1870). The buildings are a kind of barrier dividing the city into northern and southern parts. From the side of the buildings there is a wonderful view, covering the Arc du Carrousel, the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde, the triumphal arch on the Champs Elysees, and, located on the right, the new Arc de al Defense. The world fame of the Louvre sometimes makes us forget that it was originally conceived as a residential palace.
Disneyland is located in the suburbs, you need to go there by RER trains, for which you buy separate tickets. By the way, you can buy an entrance ticket to the park itself right at the ticket office. Disneyland is divided into thematic zones - Main Street, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Discoveryland. Each has attractions that match the theme. There is always a board in front of the attractions that indicates the waiting time in minutes. For some attractions there is a Fastpass - with an entrance ticket to the park, you receive another ticket from the machine, which indicates the time during which you need to approach the attraction and you will be allowed in either without a queue or much faster than people in the main queue.
National Center for the Arts Georges Pompidou(Parisians call it the "Beaubourg Center") - the most visited tourist attraction in Paris: 8 million visitors a year (twice as many as the Eiffel Tower and almost as many as EuroDisneyland). The center building houses a public library, National Museum contemporary art, the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics and Music (headed by the famous avant-garde composer Pierre Boulez), a library and art workshops for children, cinema and conference rooms. In 1999-2000, the building was repaired and reconstructed.
Park Asterix is an amusement park with famous French comics and cartoons about the Romans and the ancestors of the French - the Gauls. It is located 30 km from Paris. Asterix is an amusing trip covering 6 periods of history from Ancient Gaul to the present day, fantastic attractions, performances, cinema.
Resorts
Ski resorts in the French Alps: Belle Plagne- the most interesting station, which, thanks to an extensive system of lifts, is located in the center of the ski area. Belle Plagne is a fairly affordable resort with reasonable prices. The resort provides a wide variety of possibilities for skiing on pistes of any level, as well as for off-piste skiing. The compactness of the resort allows you to get to any point of the resort in just a couple of minutes. At your service are restaurants, discos, bars, night clubs, bowling alleys, saunas, Turkish baths. It is possible to ride with an instructor on the bobsleigh track. For the second season, you will be greeted here not by a “Russian-speaking”, but by a truly Russian instructor working at the Ecole de Ski Belle Plagne.
Val Thorens is one of the newest resorts in the French Alps. Located at the top of the Three Valleys at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level, which makes it the highest in the region. A powerful cable car will take you to the most beautiful peak Cime de Caron (3195 m), from where Mont Blanc (4807 m) is visible in clear weather. A system of interconnected lifts allows you to ski not only in Val Thorens, but also in any of the Three Valleys. The slopes of Pointe de Thorens (3266 m) with spacious virgin fields are best mastered by skiers with extensive experience in mountain skiing. And for beginner athletes, in the lower reaches of the gorge there is a web of “blue” and “green” descents. The snow cover will never let you down at any time of the skiing season. Resort altitude: 2300 meters above sea level.
Resorts Val d'Isere and Tignes- the homeland of the French world champions Oreilles and Killy - form a single ski area Espace Killy, which is bordered on both sides by two national parks: Vanoise and Grande Paradis. Val d'Isere and Tignes - a spacious alpine paradise: several thousand hectares marked ski slopes and 10 thousand hectares of virgin land at an altitude of 1550 to 3500 m. The slopes are serviced by 100 ski lifts. Here is the best riding school alpine skiing and snowboarding. No other resort offers such freedom of movement and variety of slopes: for lovers of extreme skiing, the breathtaking rock bastions of Galice and Grande Aiguille Rousset, and for beginners, the classic Madeleine routes in the forests of Santons and Vallons. The Bellevarde cliff with Bernard Roussy's downhill (height 2809 m, vertical drop 972 m, length 2905 m, average slope 350, maximum slope 630) will finally convince you that Val d'Isère and Tignes is the place to be! than you can only dream of.
Courchevel(French Courchevel) is a popular ski resort in the French Alps (Savoie department), located in an area called “Three Valleys” (Les Trois Vallées). Founded in 1946. The four stations of the resort are located at altitudes of 1300, 1550, 1650 and 1750 (commercial name - 1850) meters above sea level. Ski season lasts from late November to early May. In the Courchevel valley there are 67 modern cable cars, including a funicular, 9 cabin and 16 chair lifts. The total length of the routes is more than 600 km. La Tanya- This is an excellent option for inexpensive family accommodation in the Three Valleys. In general, all night life takes place in Courchevel. La Tania is a small ski resort in the French Alps, located between Meribel (5 kilometers) and Courchevel (2 kilometers) at an altitude of 1350 meters. The resort is closed to vehicles. The small village of La Tanya consists of 7 skyscraper residences, several restaurants and cafes. You can leave the apartments here directly on skis. The ski season lasts from mid-December to the end of April.
Les Arcs- the resort is located directly above Bourg St-Maurice (you can get there either by car - 15 km of serpentine road, or by funicular, which runs 10 minutes from the railway station). Bourg St-Maurice is 180 km from Geneva by car, or 200 km from Lyon (car or train), or 130 km from Grenoble (car or train). From Bourg St-Maurice there is also a serpentine road to Tignes, Val d'Isere - 30 km. Close to Les Arc and Three Valleys (about 70 km or 55 km from Bourg St-Maurice).
Les Deux Alpes- one of the 5 largest French ski resorts International Klaas, is located in the town of Dauphine at the foot of the largest glacier in Europe, so snow is guaranteed in both winter and summer. In addition to well-prepared, varied trails and modern ski lifts, the resort’s attraction is the artificial “ice grotto,” located at an altitude of 3,400 meters.
Les Menuires located in the same valley as Val Thorens at an altitude of 1850 m. The town is divided into three districts. In the central one - Le Crouzette - there are main entertainment and shops. From here the most convenient access to the ski lifts. There are two more new areas: Le Bruyères and Reberti (1850 m), where there are mainly modern residential buildings and also have shops and bars. Further down the valley is Saint Martin de Belleville (1400 m), a pretty Savoyard village connected to Menuires by a ski lift. There are many old wooden and stone houses, and in the center of the village in a small square there is a 16th century church.
Megève- one of the most prestigious and picturesque ski resorts with world renown. The pedestrian zone with cobbled streets in the center and ancient architecture create the atmosphere of a real Savoyard village. Mont Joly and other sites offer impressive views of Mont Blanc. The mountains rise to a height of 1000-2500 meters; up to 1850 m the mountains are covered with spruce and fir forests, giving a special charm to this place.
Chamonix- this is a mecca where every self-respecting skier must visit. Just like Madonna, kings and princes, and ordinary inhabitants of our planet. This is a kind of symbiosis, where you will find restaurants with haute French cuisine, as well as the rock cafe Arbate, the Chamonix Museum and aquatic center. And most importantly - a sea of varied skiing.
P 
arij(French Paris) - the capital of France, the most important economic and Cultural Center countries. The French capital is one of the largest and most populous cities in the world. In the actual urban part of Paris, according to statistics, about a little more than 2 million people live, and on the outskirts in the so-called Greater Paris- more than 10 million. Paris is a city that has everything for everyone: the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Palais Royal - for lovers of history and royal grandeur; Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe - for connoisseurs of the unity of past and present; the brilliant "Moulin Rouge" - for those who want to enjoy a spectacular, vibrant show; "Disneyland" - for those who are still close to the world of children's entertainment; The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral require no comment, as do cute streets, quiet, cozy cafes and, of course, romantic evening boat rides on the Seine.
Strasbourg- a city about which one can rightfully say “Central European”. A city on the border of France and Germany. It changed hands many times, and today you can’t tell what is more German or French in it. The capital of Alsace is the most German region France. Required gothic cathedral in the center, narrow streets, cobblestone streets. Historical Center located as if on an island formed by the Il River and canals. French wine, German beer, Strasbourg pates. The charming quarter of "Little France" (La Petite France) - white stone houses with a dark wood frame look at their reflections in the water of the canals. Tourist boats glide smoothly along the canals, from one lock to another.
Located southeast of Paris and southwest of Dijon on the Bouzaise River, medieval market town Bon(Beaune) is considered the unofficial wine capital of Burgundy, one of the best preserved medieval cities in the region. The city has retained the influence of distant Flemish culture, introduced during the reign of the Burgundian dukes for the most part Belgium and Holland. A trace of Flemish architecture can be felt here: a striking example is the town hall. Beaune was the trading capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, where cloth and wine were sold. Beaune finally secured its status as the center of the wine trade during the Age of Enlightenment. In the Middle Ages, a fortified castle and a deep ditch protected the city. Today its bastions and watchtowers are guarded only by sweet wine nectars, and its ditches and ditches have turned into squares and gardens. Once built to protect the city, the fortifications have been used for two centuries to store millions of bottles of Burgundy wines from the most prestigious brands and vintages.
Cannes- a city of movie stars whose motto is “Life is a celebration.” The Palais des Festivals and the famous Cannes steps, the grandiose Croisette with palm trees, restaurants, cafes and boutiques, the ancient Suquet quarter, and, of course, Rue Antibes, a paradise for shopping lovers, welcome an endless stream of tourists all year round. And this is not surprising, because Cannes is also one of the most valuable pearls of the magnificent Cote d'Azur.
Principality Monaco located in Southern Europe, on a narrow strip of coastline on the Mediterranean Riviera about 10 km. from the French-Italian border. On land, the country is surrounded by French territory (Alpes-Maritimes department), and in the south it is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The relief is hilly, quite dissected. The highest point of the country is the Mont Agel rock (140 m). The total area of the country is 1.95 square meters. km. (about 200 hectares, of which 40 are “reclaimed” from the sea).
Lyon- the third largest city in France, as well as a port located at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers, the administrative center of the Rhone department. The population of the city is 400 thousand people and more than 1 million in the suburbs. The history of Lyon, then known as Lugdunum, began in ancient Roman times, in the first century BC, when the city was proclaimed the capital of the Three Gauls. This official status brought political, economic, military and religious development to the city. By the end of the 15th century Lyon became important center trade with its fairs and a well-developed banking system. It soon housed the social, intellectual and artistic elite. In the 17th and 18th centuries, due to the development of the silk weaving industry, the city continued to grow, new squares and impressive buildings were built here, and under the Napoleonic Empire, Lyon became an industrial city.
Marseilles- second largest city and largest port in France. The city is located in the south of France on the shores of the Gulf of Lyon in the Mediterranean Sea. Marseille, founded by the Greeks in 600 BC, is considered the oldest city in the country. As one of the leading industrial centers France, Marseille nevertheless takes pride in its unique heritage and enjoys a privileged location on the Mediterranean coast. Its majestic island-studded bay and small rocky coves (Les Calanques) are considered a unique natural phenomenon.
Nice- the capital of the alluring, affectionate, sunny, chic, friendly, noisy and simply unforgettable Cote d'Azur. Its sky is not covered with clouds 300 days a year, the average temperature throughout the year does not fall below +16 degrees, the smells of wine and lavender are in the air, and the clear blue sea and white stones of the coast promise unforgettable moments of bliss. It was in Nice, at the beginning of the last century, that the Romanov royal family purchased a villa in which they lived for many summers. This is where world celebrities like to relax today. Old city, the Promenade des Anglais, the Cimiez quarter - all this needs to be seen to understand the charm and exclusivity of Nice.
Hello everyone, dear readers! Today I have prepared another article on countries, we will talk about the characteristics of France.
Everything is as always, essentially multiples, no frills 🙂 Let's get started.
The name of this country comes from the ethnonym of the Germanic tribe – the Franks.
Full title: French Republic.
Capital: Paris.
Area: 551,500 km2.
Population: 59,551 thousand people.
Location: France is located in Western Europe. French territory is washed in the north and west by the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean, and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea. Based on this, maritime boundaries France can be divided conditionally into 3 parts: the shores of the English Channel, the coastal strip of the Atlantic and Baltic Gulf and the Mediterranean coast.
France in the southeast borders with, and in the southwest the Pyrenees Mountains draw the border with. In the east, a natural barrier is created by the Alps and Jura mountains, where France borders Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Also, the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea is part of French territory.
France, in addition, also owns overseas territories, these are a number of islands in: French polynesia, New Caledonia. Futuna, Wallis, French Antarctica and Southern lands, also belong to France.
Administrative division: The territory of France is divided into 96 departments (administrative units). French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, the French South Antarctic Territories, the islands of Mayotte, Futuna, Saint-Pierre, Miquelon and Wallis have special status as overseas departments.
There are 22 historical provinces in France (Burgundy, Provence, Brittany, Lorraine, Navarre, etc.).
Flag and coat of arms of France:
Form of government: Republic.
Head of State: President, who is elected for a seven-year term.
Supreme legislative body: Bicameral Parliament (Senate, which is elected for nine-year terms, and the National Assembly, which is elected for five-year terms).
Supreme executive body: Government.
Large cities: Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lille, Strasbourg, Nice, Rouen, Toulouse, Rouen, Nantes.
Official language: French.
Religion: Catholics make up 90% of believers, Protestants – 2%, Jews – 1%, Muslims – 1%.
Ethnic composition: French make up 95%, Spaniards, Portuguese, Italians, Turks, Moroccans, Algerians, Armenians – 5%.
Currency: Euro = 100 cents.
Climate: Conventionally, France can be divided into 5 climatic zones. On mountainous areas is the smallest of them, where the air temperature is usually 5°C lower than in the country as a whole. (More information about climate types and climate zones -).
In the east of the country there is a second climate zone; this zone is characterized by large temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The temperature here in summer is +30°C, and in winter about 0°C.
The valley from Lyon to the Rhone and the Mediterranean Coast belongs to the subtropical Mediterranean climate zone.
In the coastal zones of the Gulf of Lyon, special climatic conditions, thanks to mountain ranges The Alps, which prevent the penetration of warm cyclones from the southeast into the interior of the country.
Another climatic zone, the Atlantic, is the central part of the country. It is almost no different from the Mediterranean in terms of precipitation; its difference is in greater temperature fluctuations.
The final fifth zone is located along the Atlantic coast. The proximity of the sea determines the more even nature of temperature fluctuations and air humidity.
Flora: Citrus fruits and palm trees grow on the Mediterranean coast. 24% of the territory of France is occupied by forests in which oak, walnut, spruce, birch, linden, chestnut, and cork grow.
Fauna: French fauna is represented by: bear, badger, fox, wolf, deer, forest cat, roe deer, wild boar, hare, squirrel, fallow deer. In the mountains there are snakes and mountain goats. Birds: hazel grouse, pheasant, partridge, snipe, thrush, woodcock, sparrow, magpie, hawk, pigeon.
Attractions: France is a real reserve of cultural, architectural and historical monuments.
In Paris - the Eiffel Tower, the Ile de la Cité with Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Palace Museum, the Opera, the Luxembourg Palace, the Palais Royal and much more; Saint-Denis (tomb of the French kings), the palace and park complex of Versailles, the monastery of Saint-Michel.
In Angoulême - Saint-Pierre Cathedral.
In Le Monial - Notre Dame Church.
In Rouen - the Church of Saint-Maclou.
And many other architectural monuments.
Nice is international center tourism, and one of the most famous resorts. This city is famous for its annual flower festivals, book festivals, beaches, and carnivals.
That's all for today, dear readers. 🙂 I think that you liked the description of France on my blog and found it useful 🙂 All the best, see you again on the pages of this blog! Don't forget to subscribe to updates so you don't miss a new article 😉