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Continent
in: Europe
Capital: Paris
Currency: Franc
Area: 616,429
sq. km
Population:
80,415,400
Literacy: 99%
GNP: $1533.6
billion
International Dialling Code: +33
Time Zone: IST
- 4 1/2 (GMT + 1)
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The Eiffel Tower
in Paris, the capital city of France, is one of the most popular structures
of the world. |
| Geography |
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Located
in Western Europe, France is Europe's
biggest country after Russia. France has coastlines on three
sides with the North Sea, Atlantic
Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
It is a country with small towns and villages spread around
a picturesque countryside. The country is marked with rugged
hills and volcanic peaks of
the Massif Central. The highest mountains are the Alps and the
Pyrenees.
Principal Rivers:
Rhine, Loire, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Saone.
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| History
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The
history of France goes back to Celtic Gauls who ruled the
country between 1500 and 500 BC. After several centuries of
conflict between the Gauls and Rome, Julius Caesar took control
of the territory in 52 BC. The Middle Ages were marked by
a succession of power struggles between the warring Frankish
dynasties.
By the early 17th century, the country was in control of the
notorious Cardinal Richelieu, who established an absolute
monarchy and increased French power in Europe.
By the late 1780s, the peasants and the urban poor were fed
up of the monarchy. This led to the French
Revolution in 1789.
From amidst the chaos of the revolution emerged Napoleon Bonaparte
in 1799. He ruled France till 1812. |
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During the later half of the 19th century, France was characterised
by an inept government and impractical wars. In 1870, the government
was again overthrown and France became a republic.
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| Economy
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Farming
is one of the most important activities of this country. As
a result, France is Europe's second biggest food producer,
after Russia.
Industry is concentrated in a few big cities like Paris, Lyon,
Marseilles and Lille. Industries include chemicals, aircrafts,
high-speed trains, steel and textiles.
The country is rich in natural resources like coal and iron-ore.
Not to forget, French cheese, perfumes and wines which are
considered the best in the world.
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| Government |
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The
national name of France is Republique Francaise. France
is a republic, headed by a President.
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| Religion
and Language |
More
than 81% of French people are Roman Catholic. The French people
are a festive bunch with many cities hosting music, dance, theatre,
cinema or art events each year.
Popular among them is the colourful Gypsy Festival held in May
at Provence to honour Sarah, patron saint of the gypsies.
French is the official language of France. The French people
are very proud about their language. French phrases like Bon
Voyage, RSVP (Repondez Silt Vous Plait), Status Quo, Déjà vu
are used even by non- French speaking people. |
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| Activities |
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France's
varied geography and climate allow for a wide range of outdoor
activities.
France has some of the best locales for hiking, cycling and
skiing.
Some of the best beaches and swimming spots in the world are
found along the Atlantic coast (near La Rochelle), the Channel
coast of Normandy and the coast of Corsica off the Mediterranean.
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| Art
and Culture |
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France
is a major centre for art and culture. Major events include
the Cannes Film Festival (mid-May), the International Music
Festival in Strasbourg (first three weeks of June) and the Jazz
Festival in Nancy (9-24 October).
Paris is the fashion capital of the world. Famous designers
include Calvin Klien, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurant. |
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| Fundu
Fact |
| The
Château de Versailles is the grandest and most famous
palace in France. Built in the mid-1600s during
the reign of Louis XIV, the palace is a famous tourist
destination. Apart from grand halls, bedchambers,
gardens, ponds and fountains, there's also a 75-metre-long
Hall of Mirrors where nobles would watch themselves
- and each other - while dancing. |
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| Did
you know? |
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The
French Alps include Mont Blanc, which at 4807 meters is Europe's
highest peak. |
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| TGV |
The
French train, TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) Atlantique
achieved a speed of 515.3 km/h on 18 May 1990 to enter the record
books as the fastest train in the world. You may find the aerodynamic
styling of its nose as the most interesting feature.
But, the most innovative feature of the train is the joining
together of the bogies. The cars are not merely coupled together,
instead, they are semi-permanently attached to each other, with
the ends of two adjacent cars resting on a common two-axle truck
almost like a trailer truck. This makes it stable at high speeds.
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