France

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 advent of the euro in January 1999.
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. Area: total: 547,030 sq km, land: 545,630 sq km, note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions, water: 1,400 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly less than twice the size of Colorado. Land boundaries: Total: 2,889 km, 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. Coastline: 3,427 km.
Climate and Terrain: 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. Terrain: Mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east.
People: Population: 59,765,983. Ethnic groups: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities. Religions: Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%. Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish).
Government: Government type: Republic. Capital: Paris.
Economy overview: France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern economy that 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 large 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.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 34.86 million. Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.078 million. Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters). Radios: 55.3 million. Television broadcast stations: 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters). Televisions: 34.8 million. Internet users: 11.7 million. Railways: Total: 31,939 km . Highways: Total: 892,900 km. Airports: with paved runways: 270, with unpaved runways: 207. Heliports: 3.