France

France, in Western Europe, encompasses medieval and port cities, tranquil villages, mountains and Mediterranean beaches. Paris, its capital, is known worldwide for its couture fashion houses, classical art museums including the Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its sophisticated cuisine and its wines. Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, Lyon’s Roman theater and the immense Palace of Versailles are testaments to its long history.

Capital: Paris

Population:

66.03 million

Name: Republique Francaise

Language: French

Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 64%)

Currency: 1 Euro=100cents, until 2002 French Franc

Flag: blue, white and red. The French refer to the flag as 'Tricolore' (french for 'three colours')History: In 700-500BC the Celtic Gauls arrive in France. In 58-50BC Roman Emperor Julius Caesar defeats the Gauls and France becomes part of the Roman Empire until 476AD. French was ruled by kings for many centuries until the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution in 1789. Then Napoleon becomes Emperor of the French Republic until he is sent to exile.

Area: 643,801 km2

France is situated in Western Europe, 1 hr flight from London/England, 5.5 hrs from New York/USA.

On the France outline you will see the little island of Corsica, which belongs to France, also in the French flag colors.On the France outline you will see the little island of Corsica, which belongs to France, also in the French flag colors.

The western-European Country shares borders with Belgium to the North East, Germany and Luxembourg in the East as well as with Switzerland, Italy to the South East. The Pyrenees, a mountain range to the South of France, form a natural border between Spain and France. The highest mountain in France is the Mont Blanc, that is 4,810m high and stands at the border between France and Italy.