FRANCE

Three horizontal stripes—blue, white, and red—the colors of the French Revolution. Red and blue symbolize Paris, where the main revolution was fought. White is the color of royalty.

FRANCE

General Facts

• French is second only to English in use between nations for communication, business, and diplomacy.

• Pets outnumber children in France.• Capital: Paris• Population: 64,057,792 • Real GDP per capita: $30,386

Euro Disney

Land/Climate

Land/Climate• The landscape in France ranges from plains and mountains to

forests and farmland. • Mountains stretch along the borders with Spain, Italy, and

Switzerland. • The Rhine River forms part of the border with Germany. • The northern border with Belgium is a flat plain with rolling

hills. • About a third of the country is forested. • France’s climate is generally moderate.• The south has mild winters and hot summers. • The west is rainy and has mild winters.

Population

• Three-fourths of the population lives in cities rather than in the countryside.

• 1/5 (20%) of French people are located in Paris.• A large number are recent immigrants (people

who have moved from other countries) from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Although they have become a part of French society, the various ethnic groups often don’t mix with one another

Religions

Greeting• When greeting someone other

than a friend, a handshake is customary.

• The French handshake is a light grip and a single, quick shake.

• A woman does not offer her hand to a man but instead waits for him to initiate the greeting.

• Women customarily are kissed on both cheeks by male and female friends.

• Men only kiss the cheeks of males who are relatives or close friends.

Eating Manners• Etiquette in eating is important. • Both hands remain above the table at all times. • The French eat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in

the right. • In formal contexts, lettuce is folded into small pieces with the

fork but never cut.• Fruit is peeled and cut with a knife and eaten with a fork. • Bread, eaten with every meal, is broken with the fingers and

never used to wipe the plate. • Formal lunches and dinners may last more than two hours,

with as many as eight to twelve courses.

Gestures• The “okay” sign used in the United States (a rounded index

finger touching the tip of the thumb) means “zero” to the French.

• The French gesture for “okay” is the “thumbs up” sign. • Slapping the open palm over a closed fist is vulgar and should

be avoided. • Sitting with legs spread apart is impolite for women; one should

sit straight with knees together or with legs crossed at the knee. • Feet are not placed on tables or chairs. • It is improper to speak with one's hands in one's pockets or to

chew gum in public.

Education

• Schooling is free and compulsory from age 6 to 16.

• Nearly 20 percent of all children attend Catholic schools, which are partly subsidized by the state.

Sports

Team• Football (soccer) is the most popular

sport for boys to play-World Cup, which is the world’s most popular sporting event.

• Rugby is another favorite sport. • French people like to participate in

individual sports more than team sports.

• They ride bikes, play tennis, practice judo, ski, hike, fish, andsail. The annual Tour de France cycling race is a popular international event.

Individual

Famous Things

The Louvre Arc de Triomphe

Famous ThingsBoulangerie

(French bakeries )Roadside café is a popular pastime in

France.

Famous Things

Subway System Notre Dame

Famous PeopleJoan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc)(1412–1431) national heroine, saint Voltaire (François Marie Arouet)

(1694–1778) writer, philosopher

Famous Things

Eiffel Tower French Lavender

Famous PeopleClaude Monet

(1840–1926) painter Napoleon

Guillotine

Economy

Ways to make money• It is a world leader in producing

milk, butter, cheese, wheat, and wine.

• France also has many factories that produce clothing, machines, electronics, medicines, chemicals, cars, and other things.

• The fashion industry is very important in France.

• The French currency was the franc, but is now the euro, a single currency used throughout much of Europe

Euro

Agriculture/Industry

Farming• 85% of France is fertile• Southern Region grows

grapes, olives, citrus.

Resources for Heavy Industry• Iron-ore• Lorraine region center of

iron & steel industry.• Southern part of FR has

extensive deposits of bauxite & natural gas.

• Has to import large amounts of coal from Germany.

Government

President: Nicolas Sarkozy Prime Minister Francois Fillon

Government• President: Nicolas Sarkozy

Prime minister: Francois Fillon

• President is elected by the people for a term of five years. • The president selects a prime minister from the political party

with the most members in the National Assembly. • This prime minister runs the daily government. • The legislature has two houses: • National Assembly : 577 members• Senate: 344 members• Has 26 regions, which are like states.