2013 Edition

Background

France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-8, the G-20, the EU and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing de Gaulle's 1966 decision to take French forces out of NATO. 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 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)

31.62 cu km/yr (19%/71%/10%) 512.1 cu m/yr (2009)

per capita

512.1 cu m/yr (2009)

total

31.62 cu km/yr (19%/71%/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

26,420 sq km 26,950 sq km 27,230 sq km (2007)

metropolitan France

27,230 sq km (2007)

total

26,420 sq km 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

33.45% 1.86% 64.69% 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% (2011)

arable land

33.45%

other

64.69%

permanent crops

1.86%

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

211 cu km (2011)

Age structure

18.7% (male 6,314,779/female 6,029,258) 11.9% (male 4,017,893/female 3,840,268) 38.9% (male 12,877,039/female 12,764,229) 12.6% (male 4,020,974/female 4,287,381) 17.9% (male 5,029,801/female 6,769,989) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

18.7% (male 6,314,779/female 6,029,258)

15-24 years

11.9% (male 4,017,893/female 3,840,268)

25-54 years

38.9% (male 12,877,039/female 12,764,229)

55-64 years

12.6% (male 4,020,974/female 4,287,381)

65 years and over

17.9% (male 5,029,801/female 6,769,989) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

12.6 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

76.4% percent of women aged 20-49 (2008)

Death rate

8.96 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

56.5 % 28.5 % 27.9 % 3.6 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

27.9 %

potential support ratio

3.6 (2013)

total dependency ratio

56.5 %

youth dependency ratio

28.5 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2009)

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

11.6% of GDP (2011)

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

6.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

3.34 deaths/1,000 live births 3.67 deaths/1,000 live births 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

3.34 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

81.56 years 78.45 years 84.82 years (2013 est.)

female

84.82 years (2013 est.)

total population

81.56 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 urban areas - 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 (2010)

Median age

40.6 years 39.1 years 42.1 years (2013 est.)

female

42.1 years (2013 est.)

male

39.1 years

total

40.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.6 (2006 est.)

Nationality

Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) French

adjective

French

noun

Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)

Net migration rate

1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.2% (2008)

Physicians density

3.38 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

65,951,611 (July 2013 est.) the above figure is for metropolitan France and five overseas regions; the metropolitan France population is 62,814,233

Population growth rate

0.47% (2013 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 (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 17 years (2011)

female

17 years (2011)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.74 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.08 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

22.1% 21.2% 23.2% (2011)

female

23.2% (2011)

total

22.1%

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

4 October 1958 (French Constitution) (2013)

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 (since 3 August 2009) note - also accredited to Monaco 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 (since 3 August 2009) note - also accredited to Monaco

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 (since 18 February 2011) 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 (since 18 February 2011)

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 Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012) Prime Minister Jean-Marc AYRAULT (since 16 May 2012) 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 2012 (next to be held in the spring of 2017); prime minister appointed by the president Francois HOLLANDE elected; first round: percent of vote - Francois HOLLANDE 28.6%, Nicolas SARKOZY 27.2%, Marine LE PEN 17.9%, Jean-Luc MELENCHON 11.1%, Francois BAYROU, 9.1%, others 6.1%; second round: HOLLANDE 51.6%, SARKOZY 48.4%

cabinet

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

chief of state

President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012)

election results

Francois HOLLANDE elected; first round: percent of vote - Francois HOLLANDE 28.6%, Nicolas SARKOZY 27.2%, Marine LE PEN 17.9%, Jean-Luc MELENCHON 11.1%, Francois BAYROU, 9.1%, others 6.1%; second round: HOLLANDE 51.6%, SARKOZY 48.4%

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 2012 (next to be held in the spring of 2017); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Jean-Marc AYRAULT (since 16 May 2012)

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, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, FZ, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNSC (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (consists of the court president, 6 divisional presiding judges, 120 trial judges, and 70 deputy judges organized into 6 divisions - 3 civil, 1 commercial, 1 labor, and 1 criminal); Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members) Court of Cassation judges appointed by the president of the republic from nominations from the High Council of the Judiciary, presided by the Court of Cassation and 15 appointed members; judge term of appointment NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 3 by the president of the republic and 3 each by the National Assembly and Senate presidents; members serve 9-year, non-renewable terms with one third of the membership renewed every 3 years appellate courts or Cour d'Appel; regional courts or Tribunal de Grande Instance; first instance courts or Tribunal' d'instance

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (consists of the court president, 6 divisional presiding judges, 120 trial judges, and 70 deputy judges organized into 6 divisions - 3 civil, 1 commercial, 1 labor, and 1 criminal); Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Cassation judges appointed by the president of the republic from nominations from the High Council of the Judiciary, presided by the Court of Cassation and 15 appointed members; judge term of appointment NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 3 by the president of the republic and 3 each by the National Assembly and Senate presidents; members serve 9-year, non-renewable terms with one third of the membership renewed every 3 years

subordinate courts

appellate courts or Cour d'Appel; regional courts or Tribunal de Grande Instance; first instance courts or Tribunal' d'instance

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); 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 2012 (next to be held in June 2017) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS/Greens 140, UMP 132, UDF 31, PCF/MRC 21, PRG 17, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PS 48.5%, UMP 33.6%, miscellaneous left wing parties 3.8%, Greens 3.0%, miscellaneous right wing parties 2.6%, NC 2.1%, PRG 2.1%, FDG 1.7%, other 2.6%; seats by party - PS 280, UMP 194, miscellaneous left wing parties 22, Greens 17, miscellaneous right wing parties 15, NC 12, PRG 12, FDG 10, other 15

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS/Greens 140, UMP 132, UDF 31, PCF/MRC 21, PRG 17, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PS 48.5%, UMP 33.6%, miscellaneous left wing parties 3.8%, Greens 3.0%, miscellaneous right wing parties 2.6%, NC 2.1%, PRG 2.1%, FDG 1.7%, other 2.6%; seats by party - PS 280, UMP 194, miscellaneous left wing parties 22, Greens 17, miscellaneous right wing parties 15, NC 12, PRG 12, FDG 10, other 15

elections

Senate - last held on 25 September 2011 (next to be held in September 2014); National Assembly - last held on 10 and 17 June 2012 (next to be held in June 2017)

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 and Marianne

Political parties and leaders

Centrist and Republican Union or UCR [Francois ZOCCHETTO] (previously Centrist Union Democratic Movement or MoDem [Francois BAYROU] (previously Union for French Democracy or UDF) Europe Ecology - The Greens or EELV [Pascal DURAND] French Communist Party or PCF [Pierre LAURENT] Left Front Coalition or FDG [Jean-Luc MELENCHON] Left Party or PG [Jean-Luc MELENCHON and Martine BILLARD] 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 [Marine LE PEN] New Anticapitalist Party or NPA [collective leadership; main spokesperson Christine POUPIN] New Center or NC [Herve MORIN] Radical Party [Jean-Louis BORLOO] Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA] Republican and Citizen Movement or MRC [Jean-Luc LAURENT] Socialist Party or PS [Haerlem DESIR] United Republic or RS [Dominique DE VILLEPIN] Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [Jean-Francois COPE] Worker's Struggle (Lutte Ouvriere) or LO [collective leadership; spokespersons Nathalie ARTHAUD and Arlette LAQUILLER]

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$1.358 trillion $1.485 trillion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$1.485 trillion (2012 est.)

revenues

$1.358 trillion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.5% (31 December 2012) 1.75% (31 December 2010) 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

3.44% (31 December 2012 est.) 3.43% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-57.2 billion (2012 est.) $-49.2 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$5.165 trillion (31 December 2012) $5.004 trillion (31 December 2011)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.7 (2008) 32.7 (1995)

Economy - overview

The French economy is diversified across all sectors. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. However, the government maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. With at least 79 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's real GDP contracted 2.6% in 2009, but recovered somewhat in 2010 and 2011, before stagnating in 2012. The unemployment rate increased from 7.4% in 2008 to 10.3% in 2012. Youth unemployment shot up to 24.2% during the third quarter of 2012 in metropolitan France. Lower-than-expected growth and high unemployment costs have strained France's public finances. The budget deficit rose sharply from 3.4% of GDP in 2008 to 7.5% of GDP in 2009 before improving to 4.8% of GDP in 2012, while France's public debt rose from 68% of GDP to 90% over the same period. Under President SARKOZY, Paris implemented some austerity measures 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. Socialist Party candidate Francois HOLLANDE won the May 2012 presidential election, after advocating pro-growth economic policies, the separation of banks' traditional deposit taking and lending activities from more speculative businesses, increasing the top corporate and personal tax rates, and hiring an additional 60,000 teachers during his five-year term. The government's attempt to introduce a 75% wealth tax on income over one million euros for two years was struck down by the French Constitutional Council in December 2012 because it applied to individuals rather than households. France ratified the EU fiscal stability treaty in October 2012 and HOLLANDE's government has maintained France's commitment to meeting the budget deficit target of 3% of GDP during 2013 even amid signs that economic growth will be lower than the government's forecast of 0.8%. Despite stagnant growth and fiscal challenges, France's borrowing costs declined during the second half of 2012 to euro-era lows.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.78 (2012 est.) 0.72 (2011 est.) 0.76 (2010 est.) 0.72 (2009 est.) 0.68 (2008 est.)

Exports

$567.4 billion (2012 est.) $592.9 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 16.7%, Belgium 7.5%, Italy 7.5%, Spain 6.9%, UK 6.9%, US 5.6%, Netherlands 4.3% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

57.7% 24.7% 19.8% 0% 27.4% -29.6% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

27.4%

government consumption

24.7%

household consumption

57.7%

imports of goods and services

-29.6%

investment in fixed capital

19.8%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2% 18.8% 79.2% (2012 est.)

agriculture

2%

industry

18.8%

services

79.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$35,300 (2012 est.) $35,500 (2011 est.) $34,900 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0% (2012 est.) 2% (2011 est.) 1.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.579 trillion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.238 trillion (2012 est.) $2.238 trillion (2011 est.) $2.193 trillion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

17.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 18.9% of GDP (2011 est.) 17.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3% 24.8% (2004)

highest 10%

24.8% (2004)

lowest 10%

3%

Imports

$643.4 billion (2012 est.) $686.4 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 19.5%, Belgium 11.3%, Italy 7.6%, Netherlands 7.4%, Spain 6.6%, UK 5.1%, China 4.9% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-1% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2012 est.) 2.3% (2011 est.)

Labor force

29.78 million (2012 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

$1.569 trillion (31 December 2011) $1.926 trillion (31 December 2010) $1.972 trillion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

7.8% (2010)

Public debt

90.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 85.8% of GDP (2011 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$184.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $171.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.571 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.499 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.497 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.275 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.095 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $956.3 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.631 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.448 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$939.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $908.2 billion (31 December 2011 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

52.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.8% (2012 est.) 9.2% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

374.3 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1.298 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

72,300 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

85.18 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

471 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

56.69 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

22.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

14.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

50.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

6.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

12.52 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

124.3 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

530.6 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

47.99 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

5.994 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

47.71 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

508 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

10.7 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.792 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

464,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

834,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.55 million bbl/day (2010 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

17.266 million (2012)

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 (2011)

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 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

39.29 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

62.28 million (2012)

Airports

464 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

75 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

97

2,438 to 3,047 m

25

914 to 1,523 m

83

over 3,047 m

14

total

294

under 914 m

75 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

105 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

64

total

170

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 3, cargo 7, chemical tanker 34, container 27, liquefied gas 12, passenger 10, passenger/cargo 41, petroleum tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 11 50 (Belgium 7, Bermuda 5, Denmark 11, French Polynesia 11, Germany 1, New Caledonia 3, Singapore 3, Sweden 4, Switzerland 5) 151 (Bahamas 15, Belgium 7, Bermuda 1, Canada 1, Cyprus 16, Egypt 1, Hong Kong 4, Indonesia 1, Ireland 2, Italy 2, Luxembourg 15, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 7, Mexico 1, Morocco 3, Netherlands 2, Norway 5, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 3, South Korea 2, Taiwan 2, UK 39, US 4, unknown 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

50 (Belgium 7, Bermuda 5, Denmark 11, French Polynesia 11, Germany 1, New Caledonia 3, Singapore 3, Sweden 4, Switzerland 5)

registered in other countries

151 (Bahamas 15, Belgium 7, Bermuda 1, Canada 1, Cyprus 16, Egypt 1, Hong Kong 4, Indonesia 1, Ireland 2, Italy 2, Luxembourg 15, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 7, Mexico 1, Morocco 3, Netherlands 2, Norway 5, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 3, South Korea 2, Taiwan 2, UK 39, US 4, unknown 1) (2010)

total

162

Pipelines

gas 15,322 km; oil 2,939 km; refined products 5,084 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Brest, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Rouen (Seine); Strasbourg (Rhine); Bordeaux (Garronne) Le Havre (2,215,262)(2011) Calais, Cherbourg, Le Havre

container port(s)

Le Havre (2,215,262)(2011)

cruise/ferry port(s)

Calais, Cherbourg, Le Havre

major seaport(s)

Brest, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes,

river port(s)

Paris, Rouen (Seine); Strasbourg (Rhine); Bordeaux (Garronne)

Railways

29,640 km 29,473 km 1.435-m gauge (15,361 km electrified) 167 km 1.000-m gauge (63 km electrified) (2008)

narrow gauge

167 km 1.000-m gauge (63 km electrified) (2008)

total

29,640 km

Roadways

1,028,446 km (metropolitan France; includes 11,416 km of expressways) there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2010)

total

1,028,446 km (metropolitan France; includes 11,416 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), Air Force (Armee de l'Air (AdlA); includes Air Defense) (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; 1-year service obligation; women serve in noncombat posts (2013)

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

23,225 (Sri Lanka); 12,666 (Cambodia); 12,585 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 11,767 (Russia); 11,506 (Serbia); 10,887 (Turkey); 8,605 (Vietnam); 7,335 (Laos) (2012) 1,210 (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

23,225 (Sri Lanka); 12,666 (Cambodia); 12,585 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 11,767 (Russia); 11,506 (Serbia); 10,887 (Turkey); 8,605 (Vietnam); 7,335 (Laos) (2012)

stateless persons

1,210 (2012)