2011 Edition

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 hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.

Area

643,801 sq km; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France) 640,427 sq km; 549,970 sq km (metropolitan France) 3,374 sq km; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France) the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion

total

643,801 sq km; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France)

water

3,374 sq km; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France)

Area - comparative

slightly less than the size of Texas

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 tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)

French Guiana

tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation

Guadeloupe and Martinique

subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average

Mayotte

tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)

metropolitan France

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

Reunion

tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)

Coastline

4,853 km 3,427 km

metropolitan France

3,427 km

total

4,853 km

Elevation extremes

Rhone River delta -2 m Mont Blanc 4,807 m in order to assess the possible effects of climate change on the ice and snow cap of Mont Blanc, its surface and peak have been extensively measured in recent years; these new peak measurements have exceeded the traditional height of 4,807 m and have varied between 4,808 m and 4,811 m; the actual rock summit is 4,792 m and is 40 m away from the ice-covered summit

highest point

Mont Blanc 4,807 m

lowest point

Rhone River delta -2 m

Environment - current issues

some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, 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

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

33.16 cu km/yr (16%/74%/10%) 548 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

548 cu m/yr (2000)

total

33.16 cu km/yr (16%/74%/10%)

Geographic coordinates

46 00 N, 2 00 E 4 00 N, 53 00 W 16 15 N, 61 35 W 14 40 N, 61 00 W 12 50 S, 45 10 E 21 06 S, 55 36 E

French Guiana

4 00 N, 53 00 W

Guadeloupe

16 15 N, 61 35 W

Martinique

14 40 N, 61 00 W

Mayotte

12 50 S, 45 10 E

metropolitan France

46 00 N, 2 00 E

Reunion

21 06 S, 55 36 E

Geography - note

largest West European nation

Irrigated land

26,950 sq km; 26,700 sq km (2008)

metropolitan France

26,700 sq km (2008)

total

26,950 sq km;

Land boundaries

2,889 km 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 1,183 km Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km

border countries

Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km

French Guiana - total

1,183 km

metropolitan France - total

2,889 km

Land use

33.46% 2.03% 64.51% French Guiana - arable land 0.13%, permanent crops 0.04%, other 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other); Guadeloupe - arable land 11.70%, permanent crops 2.92%, other 85.38%; Martinique - arable land 9.09%, permanent crops 10.0%, other 80.91%; Reunion - arable land 13.94%, permanent crops 1.59%, other 84.47% (2005)

arable land

33.46%

other

64.51%

permanent crops

2.03%

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 Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

French Guiana

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname

Guadeloupe

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico

Martinique

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Mayotte

Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique

metropolitan France

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

Reunion

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Map references

Europe South America Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean Africa World

French Guiana

South America

Guadeloupe

Central America and the Caribbean

Martinique

Central America and the Caribbean

Mayotte

Africa

metropolitan France

Europe

Reunion

World

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean) 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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

Natural hazards

flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanic activity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion)

metropolitan France

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

overseas departments

hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanic activity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion)

Natural resources

coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay

French Guiana

gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay

metropolitan France

coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish

Terrain

mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast

French Guiana

low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains

Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin

Martinique

mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano

Mayotte

generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks

metropolitan France

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

Reunion

mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast

Total renewable water resources

189 cu km (2005)

Age structure

18.5% (male 6,180,905/female 5,886,849) 64.7% (male 21,082,175/female 21,045,867) 16.8% (male 4,578,089/female 6,328,834) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

18.5% (male 6,180,905/female 5,886,849)

15-64 years

64.7% (male 21,082,175/female 21,045,867)

65 years and over

16.8% (male 4,578,089/female 6,328,834) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

12.29 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

8.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities black, white, mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian

overseas departments

black, white, mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian

Health expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,700 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

150,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

7.11 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

3.29 deaths/1,000 live births 3.61 deaths/1,000 live births 2.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

2.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

3.29 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official) 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect)

overseas departments

French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect)

Life expectancy at birth

81.19 years 78.02 years 84.54 years (2011 est.)

female

84.54 years (2011 est.)

total population

81.19 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Major cities - population

PARIS (capital) 10.41 million; Marseille-Aix-en-Provence 1.457 million; Lyon 1.456 million; Lille 1.028 million; Nice-Cannes 977,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

39.9 years 38.4 years 41.5 years (2011 est.)

female

41.5 years (2011 est.)

male

38.4 years

total

39.9 years

Nationality

Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) French

adjective

French

noun

Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)

Net migration rate

1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.9% (2007)

Physicians density

3.497 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

65,312,249 (July 2011 est.) the above figure is for metropolitan France and five overseas regions; the metropolitan France population is 62,814,233

Population growth rate

0.5% (2011 est.)

Religions

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

overseas departments

Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, pagan

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 16 years (2008)

female

16 years (2008)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.051 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.72 male(s)/female

at birth

1.051 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.96 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

22.6% 23.4% 21.7% (2009)

female

21.7% (2009)

total

22.6%

Urbanization

85% of total population (2010) 1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

85% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

27 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy), Bourgogne (Burgundy), Bretagne (Brittany), Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse (Corsica), Franche-Comte, Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy), Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Martinique, Mayotte, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Reunion, Rhone-Alpes France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 5 overseas regions (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 5 overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions)

Capital

Paris 48 52 N, 2 20 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October applies to metropolitan France only, not to its overseas departments, collectivities, or territories

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

48 52 N, 2 20 E

name

Paris

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted by referendum 28 September 1958; effective 4 October 1958; amended many times amended in 1962 concerning election of president; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, 2003 Treaty of Nice; amended in 1993 to tighten immigration laws; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term; amended in 2005 to make the EU constitutional treaty compatible with the Constitution of France and to ensure that the decision to ratify EU accession treaties would be made by referendum

Country name

French Republic France Republique francaise France

conventional long form

French Republic

conventional short form

France

local long form

Republique francaise

local short form

France

Dependent areas

Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica; New Caledonia has been considered a "sui generis" collectivity of France since 1998, a unique status falling between that of an independent country and a French overseas department

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Charles H. RIVKIN 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 PSC 116, APO AE 09777 [33] (1) 43-12-22-22 [33] (1) 42 66 97 83 Marseille, Strasbourg

chief of mission

Ambassador Charles H. RIVKIN

consulate(s) general

Marseille, Strasbourg

embassy

2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08

FAX

[33] (1) 42 66 97 83

mailing address

PSC 116, APO AE 09777

telephone

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Francois M. DELATTRE 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 944-6000 [1] (202) 944-6166 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco

chancery

4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Francois M. DELATTRE

consulate(s) general

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

FAX

[1] (202) 944-6166

telephone

[1] (202) 944-6000

Executive branch

President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007) Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May 2007) Council of Ministers appointed by the president at the suggestion of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 April and 6 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of 2012); prime minister appointed by the president Nicolas SARKOZY elected; first round: percent of vote - Nicolas SARKOZY 31.2%, Segolene ROYAL 25.9%, Francois BAYROU 18.6%, Jean-Marie LE PEN 10.4%, others 13.9%; second round: SARKOZY 53.1%, ROYAL 46.9%

cabinet

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

chief of state

President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007)

election results

Nicolas SARKOZY elected; first round: percent of vote - Nicolas SARKOZY 31.2%, Segolene ROYAL 25.9%, Francois BAYROU 18.6%, Jean-Marie LE PEN 10.4%, others 13.9%; second round: SARKOZY 53.1%, ROYAL 46.9%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 April and 6 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of 2012); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May 2007)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution when the "ancient French color" of white was combined with the blue and red colors of the Parisian militia; the official flag for all French dependent areas the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Netherlands

Government type

republic

Independence

no official date of independence: 486 (Frankish tribes unified under Merovingian kingship); 10 August 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 14 July 1789 (French monarchy overthrown); 22 September 1792 (First French Republic founded); 4 October 1958 (Fifth French Republic established)

no official date of independence

486 (Frankish tribes unified under Merovingian kingship); 10 August 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 14 July 1789 (French monarchy overthrown); 22 September 1792 (First French Republic founded); 4 October 1958 (Fifth French Republic established)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, FZ, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

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

Legal system

civil law; review of administrative but not legislative acts

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (348 seats; 328 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for French Polynesia, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 1 for Wallis and Futuna, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms; one third elected every three years); note - between 2006 and 2011, 15 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 348 seats - 328 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for French Polynesia, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 1 for Wallis and Futuna, and 12 for French nationals abroad; Mayotte's previously held 2 seats as an overseas collectivity are now included in the total as an overseas department; starting in 2008, members will be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms with one-half elected every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; 555 for metropolitan France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for overseas dependencies; members elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held on 25 September 2011 (next to be held in September 2014); National Assembly - last held on 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held in June 2012) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS/Greens 140, UMP 132, PCF/MRC 21, PRG 17, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - UMP 46.4%, PS 42.2%, miscellaneous left wing parties 2.5%, PCF 2.3%, NC 2.1%, PRG 1.6%, miscellaneous right wing parties 1.2%, the Greens 0.4%, other 1.2%; seats by party - UMP 313, PS 186, NC 22, miscellaneous left wing parties 15, PCF 16, miscellaneous right wing parties 9, PRG 7, the Greens 3, other 6

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS/Greens 140, UMP 132, PCF/MRC 21, PRG 17, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - UMP 46.4%, PS 42.2%, miscellaneous left wing parties 2.5%, PCF 2.3%, NC 2.1%, PRG 1.6%, miscellaneous right wing parties 1.2%, the Greens 0.4%, other 1.2%; seats by party - UMP 313, PS 186, NC 22, miscellaneous left wing parties 15, PCF 16, miscellaneous right wing parties 9, PRG 7, the Greens 3, other 6

elections

Senate - last held on 25 September 2011 (next to be held in September 2014); National Assembly - last held on 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held in June 2012)

National anthem

"La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle adopted 1795, restored 1870; originally known as "Chant de Guerre pour l'Armee du Rhin" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into Paris in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars

lyrics/music

Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle

name

"La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)

National holiday

Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July)

National symbol(s)

Gallic rooster

Political parties and leaders

Centrist Union or UDF [Nicolas ABOUT]; Democratic Movement or MoDem [Francois BAYROU] (previously Union for French Democracy or UDF); French Communist Party or PCF [Pierre LAURENT]; Greens [Cecile DUFLOT]; Left Party or PG [Jean-Luc MELENCHON]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Jean-Michel BAYLET] (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG); Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; New Anticapitalist Party or NPA [Olivier BESANCENOT]; New Center or NC [Herve MORIN]; Radical Party [Yvon COLLIN]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Republican and Citizen Movement or MRC [Jean-Luc LAURENT]; Socialist Party or PS [Martine AUBRY]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [Nicolas SARKOZY]; Worker's Struggle or LO [Nathalie ARTHAUD]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation francaise democratique du travail or CFDT, left-leaning labor union with approximately 803,000 members; Confederation francaise de l'encadrement - Confederation generale des cadres or CFE-CGC, independent white-collar union with 196,000 members; Confederation francaise des travailleurs chretiens of CFTC, independent labor union founded by Catholic workers that claims 132,000 members; Confederation generale du travail or CGT, historically communist labor union with approximately 700,000 members; Confederation generale du travail - Force ouvriere or FO, independent labor union with an estimated 300,000 members; Mouvement des entreprises de France or MEDEF, employers' union with 750,000 companies as members (claimed) conservationists; gold mining pressure groups; hunting pressure groups Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for an Independent Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP NA

French Guiana

conservationists; gold mining pressure groups; hunting pressure groups

Guadeloupe

Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for an Independent Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement

Martinique

Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP

Reunion

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$1.26 trillion $1.44 trillion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$1.44 trillion (2010 est.)

revenues

$1.26 trillion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010) 1.75% (31 December 2009) this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.373% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.249% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$54.4 billion (2010 est.) -$39.87 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$5.633 trillion (30 June 2011) $4.698 trillion (30 June 2010)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.7 (2008) 32.7 (1995)

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 government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, and has ceded stakes in such leading firms as Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. It maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. With at least 75 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third largest income in the world from tourism. 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. France has weathered the global economic crisis better than most other big EU economies because of the relative resilience of domestic consumer spending, a large public sector, and less exposure to the downturn in global demand than in some other countries. Nonetheless, France's real GDP contracted 2.5% in 2009, but recovered somewhat in 2010, while the unemployment rate increased from 7.4% in 2008 to 9.5% in 2010. The government pursuit of aggressive stimulus and investment measures in response to the economic crisis, however, are contributing to a deterioration of France's public finances. The government budget deficit rose sharply from 3.4% of GDP in 2008 to 6.9% of GDP in 2010, while France's public debt rose from 68% of GDP to 82% over the same period. Paris is terminating stimulus measures, eliminating tax credits, and freezing most government spending to bring the budget deficit under the 3% euro-zone ceiling by 2013, and to highlight France's commitment to fiscal discipline at a time of intense financial market scrutiny of euro zone debt levels. President SARKOZY - who secured passage of pension reform in 2010 - is expected to seek passage of some tax reforms in 2011, but he may delay additional, more costly, reforms until after the 2012 election.

Electricity - consumption

460.9 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

44.91 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

25.7 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

510 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.755 (2010) 0.7198 (2009) 0.6827 (2008) 0.7345 (2007) 0.7964 (2006)

Exports

$517.2 billion (2010 est.) $475.9 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 16.4%, Italy 8.2%, Belgium 7.7%, Spain 7.6%, UK 6.8%, US 5.1%, Netherlands 4.2% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

1.7% 18.6% 79.7% (2010 est.)

agriculture

1.7%

industry

18.6%

services

79.7% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$33,100 (2010 est.) $32,800 (2009 est.) $33,900 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.5% (2010 est.) -2.5% (2009 est.) 0.1% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.583 trillion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.145 trillion (2010 est.) $2.114 trillion (2009 est.) $2.169 trillion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3% 24.8% (2004)

highest 10%

24.8% (2004)

lowest 10%

3%

Imports

$588.4 billion (2010 est.) $535.8 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 19.3%, Belgium 11.4%, Italy 8%, Netherlands 7.5%, Spain 6.8%, China 5.1%, UK 5% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

5.1% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.7% (2010 est.) 0.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

29.32 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.8% 24.3% 71.8% (2005)

agriculture

3.8%

industry

24.3%

services

71.8% (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.926 trillion (31 December 2010) $1.972 trillion (31 December 2009) $1.492 trillion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

49.78 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

2.945 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

46.2 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

721 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.796 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

1.861 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

487,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

2.22 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

84,820 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

91.63 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

6.2% (2004)

Public debt

82.4% of GDP (2010 est.) 79% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$166.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $133.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.57 trillion (31 December 2011 est.) $2.336 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.746 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.662 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.161 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.128 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.319 trillion (31 December 2009 est.) $4.121 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$887.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $886.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

48.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.3% (2010 est.) 9.1% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

a mix of both publicly-operated and privately-owned TV stations; state-owned France Televisions operates 4 networks, one of which is a network of regional stations, and has part-interest in several thematic cable/satellite channels and international channels; a large number of privately-owned regional and local TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable services provide a large number of channels; public broadcaster Radio France operates 7 national networks, a series of regional networks, and operates services for overseas territories and foreign audiences; Radio France Internationale (RFI), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a leading international broadcaster; a large number of commercial FM stations, with many of them consolidating into commercial networks (2008)

Internet country code

metropolitan France - .fr; French Guiana - .gf; Guadeloupe - .gp; Martinique - .mq; Mayotte - .yt; Reunion - .re

Internet hosts

15,182,001; 15.161 million (metropolitan France) (2010)

Internet users

45.262 million; 44.625 million (metropolitan France) (2009)

Telephone system

highly developed extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive use of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system country code - 33; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (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 country codes: French Guiana - 594; Guadeloupe - 590; Martinique - 596; Mayotte - 262; Reunion - 262

domestic

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

general assessment

highly developed

international

country code - 33; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (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

overseas departments

country codes: French Guiana - 594; Guadeloupe - 590; Martinique - 596; Mayotte - 262; Reunion - 262

Telephones - main lines in use

36.154 million; 35.2 million (metropolitan France) (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

64 million; 62.6 million (metropolitan France) (2010)

Airports

475 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

76 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

98

2,438 to 3,047 m

27

914 to 1,523 m

83

over 3,047 m

14

total

297

under 914 m

76 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

108 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

69

total

177

under 914 m

108 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 2, cargo 8, chemical tanker 36, container 25, liquefied gas 12, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 44, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 11 57 (Belgium 7, China 5, Denmark 12, French Polynesia 12, Germany 1, New Caledonia 3, Norway 1, NZ 1, Singapore 3, Spain 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 5) 146 (Bahamas 19, Belgium 5, Bermuda 1, Canada 1, Cyprus 16, Egypt 1, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 1, Italy 2, Luxembourg 16, Malta 13, Morocco 4, Netherlands 2, Norway 4, Panama 13, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 3, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, UK 33, US 4, unknown 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

57 (Belgium 7, China 5, Denmark 12, French Polynesia 12, Germany 1, New Caledonia 3, Norway 1, NZ 1, Singapore 3, Spain 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 5)

registered in other countries

146 (Bahamas 19, Belgium 5, Bermuda 1, Canada 1, Cyprus 16, Egypt 1, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 1, Italy 2, Luxembourg 16, Malta 13, Morocco 4, Netherlands 2, Norway 4, Panama 13, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 3, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, UK 33, US 4, unknown 1) (2010)

total

167

Pipelines

gas 15,276 km; oil 2,939 km; refined products 5,084 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Rouen

Railways

29,640 km 29,473 km 1.435-m gauge (15,361 km electrified) 167 km 1.000-m gauge (63 km electrified) (2009)

narrow gauge

167 km 1.000-m gauge (63 km electrified) (2009)

total

29,640 km

Roadways

951,200 km (metropolitan France; includes 11,100 km of expressways) there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2008)

total

951,200 km (metropolitan France; includes 11,100 km of expressways)

Waterways

8,501 km (1,621 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) (2010)

metropolitan France

8,501 km (1,621 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

14,563,662 14,238,434 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

14,238,434 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

14,563,662

Manpower fit for military service

12,025,341 11,721,827 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

11,721,827 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

12,025,341

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

396,050 377,839 (2010 est.)

female

377,839 (2010 est.)

male

396,050

Military branches

Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy (Marine Nationale; includes Naval Air, Maritime Gendarmerie (Coast Guard)), Air Force (Armee de l'Air (AdlA); includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie (2011)

Military expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

17-40 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; 12-month service obligation; women serve in noncombat posts (2010)

Disputes - international

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

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe

French Guiana

small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe

Martinique

transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe

metropolitan France

transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics