Fact File: France

Fact File: France
Eiffel tower, Paris
ET staff writer
ET staff writer
01 June, 2000 1 min read

Area: 210,000 square miles. The largest nation in West Europe, Metropolitan France includes the island of Corsica.

Neighbouring countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra and Spain.

Climate: Generally cool winters and mild summers; but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean. An occasional strong, cold, northerly wind is known as the mistral.

Terrain: Mainly flat plains or gently rolling hills, with the Pyrenees mountains in the south and Alps in the east. There is a central plateau called the Massif Central.

Population: 60 million. Life expectancy: 79 years.

Ethnic groups: A variety of indigenous (Celtic and Latin) and immigrant (both legal and illegal) populations. Immigrants include European, North African and Indo-Chinese peoples.

Languages: French 100%. Also regional dialects and languages – Provençal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque and Flemish.

Capital: Paris (11 million). Other cities:Lyons (1.7 million), Marseilles (1.5 million).

Economy: France has a growing services sector and a diversified industrial base, as well as substantial mineral and agricultural resources. Fertile land, subsidies and modern technology have combined to make France practically self-sufficient in agriculture. Industry generates more than 80% of export earnings.

Religion: Roman Catholic 70%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 8%, non-religious/other 19%.

Protestant denominations: Over 100 denominations, including various Reformed and Protestant, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Baptist and Brethren churches; also independent Evangelical churches. About one third (200,000) of Protestants profess to be Evangelical.

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