| Location |
France lies in Western Europe, bordering
the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium
and Spain. |
| Area |
Total Area 547,030 sq.km
Land 545,630 sq.km
Water 1,400 sq.km |
| Population |
60.9 million (1998)
Population
Density: 105 inhabitant per sq.km
Population Growth Rate: 0.35% (1997) |
| Life Expectancy (1997) |
Males - 74.44 years, Females - 82.53 years |
| Languages |
French |
Religion
|
Roman Catholic - 90%, Protestant - 2%,
Jewish - 1%, Muslim - 1%, Unaffiliated - 6% |
| Education |
Education is free but compulsory between
the six and sixteen years of age. |
| Capital |
Paris |
| Major Cities |
Marseilles, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg,
Nice, and Bordeaux |
| Climate |
Generally mild summers, but along the Mediterranean
you can experience hot summers and mild winters. |
| Public Holidays |
New Years Day - January 01
Easter Monday - April 05
Labour Day - May 01
Veteran’s Day - May 08
Ascension Day - May 13
Whit Monday - May 24
French National Day - July 14
Assumption Day - August 15
All Saint's Day - November 01
Veteran's Day - November 11
Christmas Day - December 25 |
| Time |
One hour ahead of GMT. |
| Visa Requirement |
All travellers other than from EU countries
must posses a valid passport. Application for Visas should
be made at the French Embassy or the consular office in
the applicants own country. |
| Currency |
1 French franc = 100 centimes |
| Government |
France has a two-chamber parliament comprising
a Senate and a National Assembly |
