2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes

note

metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.6% (male 5,725,170; female 5,449,991) 15-64 years: 65.1% (male 19,619,994; female 19,583,850) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 4,006,857; female 5,794,667) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish

Airports

477 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 80

total

273

under 914 m

57 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 95

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

204 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 74

under 914 m

128 (2002)

Area

land

545,630 sq km

note

includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions

total

547,030 sq km

water

1,400 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Colorado

Background

Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of the euro in January 2002. At present, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus. Geography France

Birth rate

12.54 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$330 billion, including capital expenditures of $23 billion (2002 est.)

revenues

$286 billion

Capital

Paris

Climate

generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral

Coastline

3,427 km

Constitution

28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993

Country name

conventional long form

French Republic

conventional short form

France

local long form

Republique Francaise

local short form

France

Currency

euro (EUR)

note

on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code

EUR

Death rate

9.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

NA (1998)

Dependent areas

Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna

note

the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Howard H. LEACH

embassy

2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08

mailing address

PSC 116, APO AE 09777

telephone

[33] (1) 43-12-22-22

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Jean-David LEVITTE

Disputes - international

Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and French Guiana; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia, claimed by France and Vanuatu

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.7 (1995)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $6.3 billion (1997)

Economy - overview

France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The Socialist-led government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, but still retains controlling stakes in several leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales, and remains dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. The current government has lowered income taxes and introduced measures to boost employment. At the end of 2002 the government was focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweek and restrictions on lay-offs. The government was also pushing for pension reforms and simplification of administrative procedures. The tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe. The current economic slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the deficit above the EU's 3% debt limit. Business investment remains listless because of low rates of capital utilization, high debt, and the steep cost of capital.

Electricity - consumption

415.3 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

72.6 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

4.2 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

520.1 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

8.2%

hydro

14%

nuclear

77.1%

other

0.7% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mont Blanc 4,807 m

lowest point

Rhone River delta -2 m

Environment - current issues

some forest damage from acid rain (major forest damage occurred as a result of severe December 1999 windstorm); air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff

Environment - international agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Ethnic groups

Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities

Exchange rates

euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister

chief of state

President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)

election results

Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN (FN) 18.04%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in 2001); election last held 21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round NA April 2007, second round NA May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN (since 7 May 2002)

Exports

$307.8 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages

Exports - partners

Germany 15%, UK 9.8%, Spain 9%, Italy 9%, US 7.8%, Belgium 6.9% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 944-6166

[33] (1) 42 66 97 83

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco

consulate(s) general

Marseille, Strasbourg

telephone

[1] (202) 944-6000

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications France

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas Economy France

GDP

purchasing power parity - $1.558 trillion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

3%

industry

26%

services

71% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $26,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.2% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

46 00 N, 2 00 E

Geography - note

largest West European nation People France

Government type

republic

Heliports

3 (2002) Military France

Highways

paved

894,000 km (including 11,500 km of expressways)

total

894,000 km

unpaved

0 km (2000)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

800 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

100,000 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

25.1% (1995)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$303.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals

Imports - partners

Germany 19.4%, Belgium 9.2%, Italy 8.8%, UK 7.3%, Netherlands 7%, US 6.8%, Spain 6.7% (2002)

Independence

486 (unified by Clovis)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.3% (2002)

Industries

machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism

Infant mortality rate

female

3.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

4.89 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.37 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.8% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Internet country code

.fr

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

62 (2000)

Internet users

16.97 million (2002) Transportation France

Irrigated land

20,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat

Labor force

26.6 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

services 71%, industry 25%, agriculture 4% (1997)

Land boundaries

border countries

Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km

total

2,889 km

Land use

arable land

33.3%

other

64.59% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

2.11%

Languages

French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)

Legal system

civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majoritarian system to serve five-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 83, PS 68, UDF 37, DL 35, RDES 16, PCF 16, other 66; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 355, PS 140, UDF 29, PCF 21, Radical Party 7, Greens 3, other 22

elections

Senate - last held 23 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2004); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007)

Life expectancy at birth

female

83.11 years (2003 est.)

male

75.63 years

total population

79.28 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (1980 est.) Government France

male

99%

total population

99%

Location

Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 NM

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 NM (does not apply to the Mediterranean)

territorial sea

12 NM

Median age

female

39.8 years (2002)

male

36.8 years

total

38.3 years

Merchant marine

convenience

French Polynesia 2, Greece 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Sweden 9 (2002 est.)

note

includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

ships by type

cargo 4, chemical tanker 9, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 4

total

35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 749,570 GRT/939,134 DWT

Military branches

Army (includes marines), Navy (includes naval air), Air Force (includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$46.5 billion (2000)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.57% (2002) Transnational Issues France

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

14,523,208 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

12,079,413 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

392,824 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Nationality

adjective

French

noun

Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)

Natural gas - consumption

42.01 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

1.725 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

40.26 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.898 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

12.86 billion cu m (37257)

Natural hazards

flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean

Natural resources

coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, potash, timber, fish

Net migration rate

0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

2.026 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

409,600 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

2.281 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

34,920 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

144.3 million bbl (37257)

Pipelines

gas 13,946 km; oil 3,024 km; refined products 4,889 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Citizen and Republican Movement or MCR [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT]; Democratic and European Social Rally or RDSE (mainly RAD and PRG) [leader NA]; French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Left Radical Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Liberal Democracy or DL (originally Republican Party or PR; now merged into the UMP) [Alain MADELIN]; Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR (merged into UMP) [Serge LEPELTIER]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Greens [Martine BILLARD, Denis BAUPIN, Stephane POCRAIN, Maryse ARDITI]; Union for French Democracy or UDF (coalition of DL, CDS, UDF, RP, and other parties) [Francois BAYROU]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (including RPR, DL, and a part of UDF) [Alain JUPPE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed); left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, approximately 865,000 members (claimed, of which 810,000 are actively employed); independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members (claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed)

Population

60,180,529 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

6.4% (1999)

Population growth rate

0.42% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nates, Paris, Rouen, Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg

Radio broadcast stations

AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios

55.3 million (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

167 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)

standard gauge

32,515 km 1.435-m gauge (14,104 km electrified)

total

32,682 km

Religions

Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system

general assessment

highly developed

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries

Telephones - main lines in use

34.86 million (yearend 1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular

11.078 million (yearend 1998)

Television broadcast stations

584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

34.8 million (1997)

Terrain

mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east

Total fertility rate

1.85 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.1% (2002 est.)

Waterways

14,932 km (6,969 km heavily traveled)