The area of ​​France is 551.5 thousand square meters. km, population - 59.5 million people in 2001. In terms of area, France is the third country in Europe (after Russia and Ukraine) and the first in Western Europe (about a fifth of the territory of the European Union), more than twice the area of ​​Great Britain.

In 2000, France ranked fifth in the world in terms of GDP production after the USA, Japan, Germany and Great Britain. Its GDP was $1,294.2 billion (per capita 24,223 per year in 2000 PPP dollars).

France occupies the extreme western part of the European continent and the configuration of the territory resembles a hexagon with maximum distances of no more than 1000 km, and there is not a single settlement more than 50 km away from the sea coast or river bed.

France owns the island of Corsica and a number of small coastal islands in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as overseas departments and territories - Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Pierre and Mequelon, Reunion, French Guiana, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna - with a total area of ​​127 thousand sq km, with a population of 1.5 million people. For comparison: on the eve of the Second World War, France's possessions (including trust territories) amounted to 12 million square meters. km with a population of 70 million people.

France can be called an Atlantic and Mediterranean country, a Rhineland and Pyrenean country. Convenience of sea and land connections, a key geographical location among the largest Western European states, adjacent to the economic centers of the region (South-East England, Rhineland Germany, Western Switzerland, north-west Italy) contributed to the early development of its economy, the growth of trade and cultural relations. However, this geographical location was also one of the reasons for the repeated invasion of its territory by foreign conquerors.

Natural conditions and resources. The main differences in the natural conditions of France, like Germany, are due to the gradual increase in surface from north to south. The entire northern and western part, that is, almost half of the country, is occupied by lowlands. These are areas of former subsidence of the earth's crust, filled with sedimentary deposits. The most extensive of them are the North French (Aquitaine) Lowland - the main living area of ​​the country. Significant oil deposits are associated with sedimentary deposits of the Aquitaine Lowland. In the central, northeastern and northwestern regions there are ancient Hercynian massifs: the Central French Massif, the Vosges, the Ardennes, and the Armorican massif, formed more than 200 million years ago. Many minerals are associated with these geological structures.

In the south and southwest rise the young mountains of the Alpine folding - the Alps and the Pyrenees. These mountain systems have large reserves of water, their vast alpine and subalpine meadows are used for pastures, and forests provide raw materials for the wood processing industry. The main mineral resources of France are iron ores, bauxite, tungsten, lead, tin, and silver. However, the country is not rich enough in energy resources: reserves of coal, oil and gas are insignificant. More important are the uranium reserves in the Massif Central and the energy of mountain rivers, in particular the Rhone and its Alpine tributaries. In the future, there are great opportunities to use the energy of sea tides, which reach 12–16 meters in height off the coast of France. The most important mineral resources are located on the outskirts of the country. Deposits of coal, potash and rock salts are located in the northeast of the country (Alsace). There is a lot of iron ore in Lorraine, but it is poor in iron content. In the south of the country - in Provence and Languedoc - there are bauxites, but their mining is currently suspended due to unprofitability. France is rich in natural building materials.

The climate of France is formed under the influence of Atlantic air masses and is characterized as maritime, moderately warm and humid. In most of the country (excluding the mountains), winter temperatures are positive, there is usually no snow cover, and the rivers do not freeze. Annual precipitation is 600–1000 mm. Only in the north-west of the country (Brittany) does agriculture suffer from excess moisture, and on the Mediterranean coast (Mediterranean climate) from lack of moisture in the summer. The extreme eastern part of the French coast - the Riviera - has the mildest winter (in Nice the average temperature in July is +230, in January +80). Climatic conditions allow the cultivation of crops from both the temperate zone and the subtropics (citrus fruits in Corsica).

France has many rivers, but few lakes. Rivers have large reserves of hydropower, especially the Rhone and its tributaries, which account for half of the hydropower reserves, and the rivers of the Massif Central - 20%.

The soils are brown forest, humus-carbonate, quite fertile, especially the soils of the North French Lowland.

France is a country of international tourism and mountaineering. Favorable climate, historical and architectural monuments, huge opportunities for the development of mountaineering and winter sports in the mountains, a dense network of good roads, hotels and restaurants attract tens of millions of foreigners, and all this brings large incomes to the country.

The nature of France is highly cultivated by man: 33% of the area is arable land; 27% – forests (mostly planted); 21% – pastures and hayfields; 2.5% – vineyards, orchards and vegetable gardens; 17% – developed and unused land.

Population. Political system. France is a country of relatively homogeneous ethnic composition. About 97% of its population are French, one of the Romance peoples of Europe. In ancient times, the territory of France was inhabited by Gauls (Celts), hence its ancient name - Gaul. The Gauls later mixed with the Roman conquerors and Germanic tribes. The name "French", like "France", comes from the Germanic tribe of the Franks, who conquered in the 5th century. BC. northern part of the country.

Other national minorities - Alsatians and Lorraineers, Basques, Corsicans live on the periphery of the country, as well as immigrants (Italians, Portuguese, Moroccans, Algerians, etc.). They make up more than 4 million people – 7–8% of the total population. France's population is growing faster than other large European countries as the government encourages higher birth rates and immigration. France has welcomed immigrants throughout its history. France's population accounts for 1% of the world's population (17th in the world). The average birth rate in 2000 was 12.3/1000, mortality rate – 9.1/1000, infant mortality rate – 4.5/1000. The average life expectancy in 2000 was 78.8 years, including: men – 74.8, women – 82.9 years. The working-age population makes up 42% of the total, in the USA this figure is 48%, in Japan - 49%. Women make up 51.3% of the country's population.

Social class structure of the population: 85% of the workforce are wage earners (workers and employees), 12% are small entrepreneurs in towns and villages and helping family members, and about 3% are large business employers who control the bulk of the national wealth and politics of France. The standard of living of the population is approximately the same as in Germany and Great Britain, but 2–2.5 times higher than in modern Russia.

Almost all religions are represented in France, however, among believers, Catholics make up 81.2% of the total population, Muslims - 6.9%, Protestants - 1.6%, Orthodox - 0.3%, other religions - 10%. The influence of the church is weaker than in Italy and Spain.

In France, compulsory free education is provided for children from 6 to 16 years of age, but secondary education is largely different from other European countries and consists of the following levels: mother's school (corresponding to our kindergartens), primary, college, lyceum and high school. The peculiarity of the education system is that the state is responsible for the content and organization of education, provides professional training, recruitment, management and remuneration of teachers. Along with state educational institutions, there are also private ones, especially those providing denominational (Catholic) education; they cover about 20% of students. The entire education system is characterized by a differentiated approach to students' abilities, an informal atmosphere in educational groups and a trusting relationship with teachers. Education is secular in nature and built on the principles of political, ideological and religious impartiality.

In 1998, the number of schoolchildren and students exceeded 15 million people, accounting for a quarter of the country's population. In addition, the education system is the largest employer, employing over 1.2 million people - just over half of the total number of government employees. Government spending on education amounts to 7.4% of GDP.

Three quarters of the population lives in cities, with half in individual residential buildings. The main form of urban settlement is agglomeration, and in rural areas small villages and hamlets are typical. There are 52 agglomerations (urban areas) in France, which account for about 60% of all city residents. Five of them are the largest. The Paris metropolitan area is home to 10.6 million people, or 17.5% of the country's population. In France, as in Great Britain, the importance of the capital is exceptionally great, which stands out sharply in terms of the number of inhabitants among other centers. The next largest agglomerations are Lyon (1.6 million people), Marseille (1.4 million people), Lille (1.1 million people), Toulouse (0.9 million people); they are 7–10 times inferior to Paris. Therefore, the government of the country is pursuing a policy of curbing the growth of Paris. The construction of new factories and other facilities is limited here, and the development of other economic regions and centers is stimulated.

France is a presidential republic. The constitution of 1958 with amendments is in force.

The head of state is the president, elected for a term of 7 years by direct universal suffrage, endowed with broad powers: he appoints members of the government, is the supreme commander in chief, and has the right to dissolve the National Assembly.

The highest legislative body is the parliament, consisting of two chambers - the National Assembly, elected for a period of 5 years, and the Senate; senators are elected for 9 years; Every three years the composition of the Senate is renewed by one third.

The government is responsible to parliament and may be subject to a vote of no confidence by the National Assembly. This requires an absolute majority of votes of all deputies.

France is divided into 96 departments and 36.6 thousand communes. In most cases, departments are named after the rivers and mountains located on their territory. National minorities, with the exception of Corsicans, do not have autonomy.

Largest political parties: French Socialist Party, Rally for the Republic, Union for French Democracy, Communist Party of France, National Front.

France is separated from its northern neighbor - Great Britain - by the English Channel and Pas de Calais. In the northeast, in Flanders and the Ardennes, France borders Belgium and Luxembourg. Further to the east rise the domed peaks of the Vosges. The Franco-German border runs here. Having reached the river The Rhine and the border pillars turn sharply to the south, rising higher and higher: first to the mountain slopes of the Jura, along which the border with Switzerland passes, and then to the snow-covered ridges of the Alps, separating France from Italy. Here is the highest mountain in Western Europe - Mont Blanc (4810 m). The Alpine ridges are cut through by deep and fairly wide valleys, convenient for communication. In the southwest lies the lower but inaccessible mountain range of the Pyrenees. It forms the natural border of France with Spain and the small state of Andorra.

The territory of France has been inhabited since ancient times (probably 1 million years ago). In ancient times, France was inhabited by Gauls (Celts), hence its ancient name - Gaul. By the middle of the 1st century. BC e. conquered by Rome; from the end of the 5th century. BC e. - the main part of the Frankish state. Formed by the Treaty of Verdun in 843, the West Frankish Kingdom occupied approximately the territory of modern France; in the 10th century The country began to be called "France". Until the middle of the 12th century. feudal fragmentation reigned. In 1302, the first Estates General was convened, and a class monarchy was formed. The economic development of France was delayed for a long time by the Hundred Years' War of 1337 - 1453. The worsening situation of the people caused the Parisian uprising of 1357 - 1358, the Jacquerie. The centralization of the state was largely completed in the second half of the 15th century. under Louis XI. Absolutism strengthened after the Wars of Religion in the 16th century and reached its apogee under Louis XIV. In the 15th - 17th centuries. French kings waged a long struggle with the Habsburgs (Italian Wars 1494 - 1559, Thirty Years' War 1618 - 48). The feudal-absolutist system was eliminated by the Great French Revolution. A republic was established in 1792 (the first republic). The highest stage of the revolution is the Jacobin dictatorship. The Thermidorian coup of 1794 marked the victory of the bourgeois counter-revolution. The regime of the Directory (1795 - 99) was replaced by the military dictatorship of Napoleon in the form of the Consulate, and from 1804 - by the empire (the first empire), which strengthened the bourgeois system. The Patriotic War of the Russian people of 1812 predetermined the collapse of the Napoleonic empire. During the Restoration period (1814 - 1815, 1815 - 30) political dominance belonged to the nobility and clergy. As a result of the July Revolution of 1830, the financial aristocracy came to power. The February Revolution of 1848 established a bourgeois republic (second republic). Subsequently, the Revolution of 1848 developed along a descending line. A second empire was established in 1852; fell in 1870 in the context of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 - 71. The third republic was formed (1870 - 1940). On March 18, 1871, the world's first proletarian revolution took place in Paris, brutally suppressed by the bourgeoisie. In 1875, the constitution of the third republic was adopted. In 1879 - 80 the first Marxist party was created - the Workers' Party. At the beginning of the 20th century. the socialist movement split. The Socialist Party of France (under the leadership of J. Guesde, P. Lafargue and others) and the French Socialist Party (under the leadership of J. Jaurès) were formed and united in 1905 in the SFIO. At the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries. French capitalism entered the stage of imperialism. By the end of the 19th century. The formation of the French colonial empire was basically completed. France, as part of the Entente, participated in World War I, which ended with the Versailles Peace Treaty of 1919, which was beneficial for the French imperialists. France was a participant in the anti-Soviet intervention. In 1918 - 20 - revolutionary upsurge. In 1820 the French Communist Party was founded. Diplomatic relations with the USSR since October 28, 1924. In 1935, a Franco-Soviet treaty of mutual assistance was concluded. In January 1936, on the basis of the united workers' front of the PCF and the Socialist Party (SFIO), in 1934 the Popular Front was created. The Popular Front governments banned fascist organizations and took measures to improve the situation of workers (introducing a 40-hour work week, paid holidays, etc.). In 1938 the Popular Front collapsed. The French ruling circles pursued a course of “pacification” of the fascist aggressors, which contributed to the outbreak of World War II. In 1940, France was occupied by fascist German and Italian troops. The pro-fascist Vichy regime emerged. The main organizer of the Resistance Movement on French territory was the PCF; an important role was played by the Free France movement led by Charles de Gaulle (since 1942 - Fighting France). By the end of 1944, France (as a result of the actions of the troops of the anti-Hitler coalition and the Resistance Movement) was liberated. In 1944 - 47 the government included communists; Progressive social reforms were carried out, and the democratic constitution of the fourth republic was adopted (1946). In 1949 France became a member of NATO, in 1957 the EEC. France signed the 1954 Geneva Agreements on Indochina. In 1958, the constitution of the fifth republic was adopted, expanding the rights of the executive branch to the detriment of the legislative branch. De Gaulle became president. By 1960, amid the collapse of the colonial system of imperialism, most of the French colonies in Africa won independence, and in 1962 Algeria. In an effort to strengthen its international position and ensure foreign policy independence, France left the NATO military organization (1966) and intensified cooperation with the USSR and other socialist countries. A major event in domestic political life was the General Strike of 1968. In 1981, with the support of the PCF and other leftist forces, the Socialist candidate F. Mitterrand was elected President of France.

The main mineral resources are iron ore (in Lorraine), bauxite (in Provence and Languedoc), rock and potash salts (in Lorraine and Alsace), natural gas (in the southwest), deposits of coal and uranium ores.

The climate in most of the country is temperate maritime, in the east it is transitional to continental; on the Mediterranean coast, subtropical Mediterranean with dry summers and rainy winters; in the rest of France, precipitation is distributed more evenly (their amount on the plains is 600 - 1000 mm, in the mountains up to 2000 - 2500 mm per year. The average temperature in January is 1 - 50C (in the south up to 80C), July 17 - 220C (in the south up to 240C The river network is dense, the rivers are full-flowing. The largest rivers are: Seine, Rhone and Saone, Loire, Garonne, Rhine (along the border with Germany). Brown forest soils predominate, in places leached and podzolized; in the south - brown soils of dry forests and shrubs , red soils.

Most of the country is occupied by agricultural land. Forests cover 26% of the territory of France - mainly oak, beech, chestnut, pine (largely artificial plantings), in the mountains - also spruce and fir. In the south there are evergreen forests and shrubs of the Mediterranean type. National parks - Ecrins, Cevennes, Vanoise and others.

France is a republic. There is a constitution in force, approved by a referendum on September 28, 1958. The system established by the 1958 constitution is called the Fifth Republic. According to this constitution, the head of state is the president (since 1981 - F. Mitterrand, was re-elected in 1988), elected for a term of 7 years by universal and direct suffrage using a majoritarian system (in 2 rounds). He appoints the Prime Minister and members of the government, presides over the Council of Ministers, and directs the armed forces. The President is also vested with the right to dissolve the National Assembly.

The highest legislative body is the parliament, consisting of 2 chambers - the National Assembly (577 deputies, of which 555 from the metropolis, 22 from overseas departments and territories), elected for a period of 5 years by universal and secret ballot (the last elections were in 1993) and the Senate (321 senators with a term of office of 9 years each), elected on the basis of indirect voting (the electoral college consists of deputies of the National Assembly, general and municipal councilors).

The government is responsible to parliament; it may be subject to a vote of no confidence by the National Assembly (an absolute majority of votes of all deputies is required). The government, formed in March 1993, is headed by Prime Minister E. Balladur.

The French Socialist Party (FSP), formed in 1971 on the basis of the unification of the SFIO party (French Section of the Workers' International), which existed in 1905, and a number of political groups (about 200 thousand members), is part of the Socialist International. It included 160 thousand members (January 1979), the first secretary was L. Jostin (since 1981). In March 1993, the FSP was defeated in the parliamentary elections and is experiencing a crisis.

Left and center-left forces are represented by the following parties. French Communist Party (PCF) - founded in 1920 (about 200 thousand), in recent years its influence and numbers have decreased. General Secretary - J. Marchais. The Radical Left Movement (DLR) was formed in 1972 as a result of a split between the party of radicals and radical socialists (about 30 thousand). Chairman - E. Zuccarelli, Secretary General - F. Walker. United Socialist Party (USP) - formed in 1960. It is influential among left-wing intellectuals and students. The General Secretary of the OSP is J.C. Lescornet.

The most influential parties in parliament and government after the parliamentary elections in 1993 are the Gaullist Rally for the Republic (RPR) and the centrist SFD. OPR was formed in 1958, a government party (about 900 thousand). Chairman - J. Chirac, Secretary General - A. Jullet.

The most massive trade union organization is the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) (1.33 million members), which are members of the WFTU. National Council of French Entrepreneurs - exists since 1946, unites 130 professional federations of industrialists and traders.

FRANCE: general characteristics of the country

The official name is the French Republic (Republique Francaise, French Republic). Located in the western part of Europe. The area of ​​France is 547 thousand km2, the population is more than 66.6 million people. (2014). The official language is French. The capital of the state is Paris. Public holiday - Bastille Day on July 14th. The monetary unit is the euro (since 2002, before that the French franc).

An integral part of France are the overseas territories (French Polynesia, the Southern and Atlantic Territories, New Caledonia, the Wallis and Futuna Islands), overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique) and territorial communities (Mayotte, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon). The total area is 4 thousand km2, the population is 1.8 million people.

France is a member of the UN (since 1945), IMF and World Bank (since 1947), NATO (1949-66), ECSC (since 1951), OECD (since 1961), EU (since 1957), OBSS (since 1973), " Big Seven (since 1975), EBRD (since 1990), WTO (since 1995).

France is located between 42°20’ and 51°5’N latitude; 4°27' west and 8°47' east longitude. The length from north to south is about 975 km, from east to west - about 950 km. In the north, the territory of France is washed by the North Sea, Pas de Calais and English Channel, in the west by the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean, and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea.

France is the largest country in Western Europe by territory : it occupies almost one fifth of the territory of the European Union, has vast maritime spaces (the exclusive economic zone extends over an area of ​​11 million sq. km). The state also includes the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea and more than twenty overseas departments and dependent territories. The total area of ​​the country is 547,030 sq. km. (674,685 sq. km. including overseas possessions).

Length coastline of mainland France is 3427 km. The length of France's land borders is about 2892.4 km. France borders in the northeast with Belgium (border length - 620 km), Luxembourg (73 km) and Germany (451 km), in the east - with Switzerland (border length - 573 km), in the southeast - with Monaco (4 ,4 km) and Italy (488 km), in the southwest - with Spain (border length - 623 km) and Andorra (60 km).

More information about the geographical location of France:

FRANCE ON THE MAP OF WESTERN EUROPE:

All types of Western European landscapes are found in France . The central, eastern and southern parts are distinguished by hilly or mountainous terrain.

The largest mountain region in France - Central French Massif (highest point - Mount Puy de Sancy, 1886 m) - basalt plateaus alternating with volcanic cones, plateaus, and rivers of the Loire basin. In the southeast of France stretch the highest mountains of Western Europe - the Alps (the highest point is Mont Blanc, 4807 m), framed in the west by medium-altitude ridges - the Pre-Alps, which continue in the north with the Jura and Vosges mountains (Ballon de Guerbiller, 1423 m). The southwest of France is occupied by the Pyrenees (Vignal, 3298 m).

North and west, almost 2/3 of France, low and high plains; the largest of them is the Paris Basin. In the southwest of France, parallel to the Bay of Biscay, stretch the coastal plains of Aquitaine (Landes) with a chain of dunes up to 100 m high. In the northwest, the plains pass into the Armorican Upland, washed by the straits of the North Sea. In the southwest and south of France, the Rhône and Languedoc lowlands merge. A small part of the Upper Rhine Lowland enters the territory of France.

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In France there are several climatic zones .

Climate of France characterized by moderation in everything: heat, rain, wind and cold. The country is located in western Europe, and the main factor determining its weather is the Atlantic air masses.

Western France has a pronounced maritime climate . This means rain all year round, mild frost-free winters with constant dampness (especially in Brittany and Aquitaine) and cool and, again, damp summers. The weather here is mostly cloudy, although Nantes and Bordeaux have more sun than northern Normandy. The islands of Brittany (Belle-Ile, Brea, etc.) have a microclimate - there is less rain and more sunny days than on the continent, and there is never frost. Therefore, palm trees, mimosa and fig trees can grow here. The Atlantic Ocean is no different in the warmth of its waters: in Royan it is +17°C in June and +20°C in August, in Brittany it is even less. The situation is even worse in Normandy: the waters of the English Channel warm up only to +18°C in August.

In central France (Paris, Champagne, Loire Valley), despite the general mildness of the climate , the seasons are still more clearly defined. Winters here are colder, summers are hotter and there is less rain than on the coast. In the northeast of France (Alsace, Lorraine) the climate is already temperate continental, with slight frosts in winter. Nancy and Strasbourg have a reputation for being the coldest cities in the country, but the frost here is compensated by the lack of wind. Spring and autumn here are shorter than in the center of the country, and the summer heat is observed only during the day - at night you can clearly feel the freshness.

In the south of France and on the island of Corsica the picture is different - here there is a pronounced Mediterranean climate . This means an almost complete absence of rain in summer and its persistent presence in winter. The Cote d'Azur has long won the title of one of the sunniest regions in the world. The Rhone River valley (the area from Lyon to Marseille) constantly suffers from the debilitating Mistral wind, which can blow at any time of the year, and the Tramontane wind tests the strength of the inhabitants of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in winter and spring. But in general, the winter period is characterized by the south of France with a mild climate . The temperature of the Mediterranean Sea averages +20°C in June and +23°C in August.

Mountain regions of France (Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central, Jura Mountains) are distinguished by the difference in day and night temperatures. Winters here are cold and snowy, and summer days are hot, which does not exclude cold at night. In January - March, the height of the ski season is observed at the resorts of Savoy (Val d'Isere, Tignes, etc.).

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France has an extensive river system . Due to its favorable geographical position, France, washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, is rich in its own water resources. At the same time, there are very few lakes in France, and there are no large ones at all. Most rivers flow entirely through France, because... originate in the mountains of the French Massif Central. Most of the rivers in France belong to the Atlantic Ocean basin.

Among the rivers of France The Loire is considered the longest. Its length is 1020 kilometers, the basin area is 115,120 square kilometers. The origins of the Loire are in the Ardèche department, at an altitude of 1408 meters above sea level. Initially, the waters of the Loire flow almost from south to north under the influence of tertiary deposits of the French Massif Central, but in the Orleans area the river sharply changes direction to the west and does not change direction until it flows into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. On the banks of the Loire there are such French cities as Rouen, Nevers, Orleans, Blois, Tours, Angers (Le Pont-de-Sé), Nantes. The Loire flows into the Bay of Biscay. In addition to it, such large rivers of France as the Garonne (575 km) and Dordogne flow into the same bay, forming a common estuary - the Gironde.

The lakes of France are divided into three groups : mountain lakes, lakes located on the plain and lakes located on the sea coast. The few lakes in France are predominantly of glacial origin. The largest of them are Bourget (45 sq. km) and Annecy (28 sq. km) in the Alps, the deep and vast Lake Geneva in the Pre-Alpine Trough, which serves as the border between France and Switzerland.

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Flora of France

20% of France's territory is covered by forests, concentrated mainly in the western regions of Aquitaine, in the eastern part of the Paris Basin, in the Alps and the Pyrenees. The upper limit of forests is 1600-1900 m above sea level in the Alps, 1800-2100 m in the Pyrenees. Higher up they turn into subalpine shrubs, and at an altitude of 2100-2300 m into alpine meadows. Shrub thickets and sparse forests (evergreen species of oak and pine) are typical for the Mediterranean south. The characteristic landscape of the north-west is heathland and meadows.

All vegetation in France very much changed by human activity in the 19th-20th centuries. Forests that once covered almost the entire country now occupy no more than 25% of France's area, despite increased afforestation of wasteland after the Second World War. The largest tracts of natural forests remain in the mountains - the Vosges, Jura, and Northern Alps. The area of ​​planted forests is increasing. The plantings of maritime pine forests are especially large in the Landes. Basically, artificial landscapes created by man predominate in France. There are practically no wild forests left. However, in France at present they are very sensitive to the remaining forests, which are deciduous forests and belong to the group of broad-leaved Western Atlantic oak, hornbeam-oak, oak-birch forests.

Thus, indigenous forests of France consist mainly of deciduous trees, among which the largest areas are occupied by oak and beech. Of the coniferous species, pine is the most common. The northern half of the country is characterized by oak and beech forests with a significant admixture of hornbeam, birch and alder in the northeast and the dominance of moisture-loving beech in the northwest. However, not all forest areas in France have this structure. The southern regions of the country, located on the Mediterranean coast, are more likely to belong to the evergreen Atlantic-Mediterranean forests and have a predominance of oak and cork trees.

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Fauna of France

The geographical position of France determines its climate, which is quite varied due to the location of France in the extreme western part of the continent, which is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Eurasian continent at the same time. Due to changing climatic conditions depending on the specific territory, fauna of France can also be quite different. There is a wide variety of animal composition depending on the inhabited territory and climatic conditions (marine climate, continental, Mediterranean or mountainous).

Fauna of France characterized by high type diversity developed in relatively small areas: groves, agricultural lands, temperate deciduous forests and evergreen Mediterranean forests, wetlands, inland rivers, sandy and rocky shores, cliffs, hills, plateaus, high mountains, built-up areas – is not a complete list of territories that have a unique species composition of the animal world.

The main representatives of the fauna of France are concentrated in forested areas, especially in the mountains. The most common mammals of France : wild forest cat, fox, badger, ermine, red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, wild boar, squirrel, hare; in the highlands - chamois, mountain goat, alpine marmot. There are numerous birds: hawks, kites, partridges, hazel grouse, snipe. Common river fish include perch, pike, pike perch, and trout; in the seas washing France - tuna, mackerel, sardine, cod, flounder.

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The French Republic includes:
1. Metropolis (divided into 13 regions and 96 departments);
2. five overseas departments (DOM): Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guiana, Reunion, Mayotte;
3. five overseas territories (TOM): French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna Islands, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin;
4. three territories with a special status: New Caledonia, Clipperton, French Southern and Antarctic territories.

Until December 31, 2015 France is divided into 27 regions (regions), of which 22 are located on the European continent, including the separate region of Corsica on the island of the same name, and another five are overseas. Regions do not have legal autonomy, but can set their own taxes and approve the budget. Since January 1, 2016, as a result of the administrative reform in metropolitan France, 22 regions were transformed into 13 by merging some regions into one. gives a clear picture of which regions have undergone reform.

The 27 regions are divided into 101 departments, which consist of 342 arrondissements and 4,039 cantons. . The basis of France are 36,682 communes. The department of Paris consists of a single commune. Each of the five overseas regions (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, Mayotte) consists of a single department. The region of Corsica (including 2 departments) has a special status as an administrative-territorial entity, different from other regions of the metropolis (continental France). It has independent governing bodies that are not subordinate to the center. In 2003, a local referendum was held to merge the two departments of Corsica into one - but the inhabitants of the island did not want to unite.

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France is a sovereign unitary democratic republic . The current Constitution, adopted on October 4, 1958, regulates the functioning of the authorities of the Fifth Republic: it establishes a republican presidential-parliamentary form of government (Constitution of the French Republic, section 2).

The head of state is the president, elected for 5 years. The head of government is the prime minister.

The executive branch in France is represented by the Council of Ministers , who is appointed by the President in consultation with the Prime Minister. In France, the Prime Minister is responsible for current domestic and economic policies, and also has the right to issue general decrees. He is considered responsible for government policy (Article 20 of the Constitution). The Prime Minister directs the government and enforces laws (Article 21).

Legislative power in France belongs to Parliament , which includes two chambers - the Senate and the National Assembly. The Senate of the Republic, whose members are elected by indirect universal suffrage, consists of 321 senators (348 since 2011), 305 of whom represent the metropolis, 9 overseas territories, 5 French Community territories and 12 French citizens living abroad. Senators are elected to six-year terms (from 2003, and 9 years before 2003) by an electoral college consisting of members of the National Assembly, general councilors and delegates from municipal councils, with the Senate being renewed by half every three years. The National Assembly, whose deputies are elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of 5 years, consists of 577 deputies, 555 of whom represent the metropolis, and 22 represent the overseas territories.

The judicial branch of government in France belongs to the courts. The activities of the French judicial system are regulated in Section VIII of the Constitution “On the Judicial Power”. The president of the country is the guarantor of the independence of the judiciary, the status of judges is established by law, and the judges themselves are irremovable. French justice is based on the principles of collegiality, professionalism, and independence, which are ensured by a number of guarantees.

Local government system in France is built in accordance with its administrative-territorial division. It is represented by communes, departments and regions where elected bodies exist.

More information about the state structure of France:

As of January 1, 2018, the number of people living in France and making up its population estimated at 67.2 million, including 65 million in France and 2.2 million in the departments overseas (DOM). This figure does not include the 604,400 residents of the Overseas Communities (COM) and New Caledonia.

At the same time, about 6% of the French population (3.8 million people) do not have French citizenship. In contrast, about two million people who are French citizens live outside the country. Thus, we can say that there are about 64 million French citizens living in the world.

Total fertility rate in France in 2018 reached a value of 1.87 (in 2014 this rate was 2.01), which is significantly less than in 1950 (2.9), but higher than the same figure for the French population in the 1990s, when the birth rate in France it barely reached 1.8. According to this indicator, France is ahead of the average birth rate in Europe, but this value is slightly insufficient to ensure the renewal of generations. However, the population continues to grow due to the pyramid shape, immigration and increasing life expectancy among the French population, which in 2018 averaged 79.4 (79.2 in 2014) years for males and 85.3 years (in 2014 - 85.4) - among women.

Amounts to 118.8 people per 1 km2 in January 2018. This indicator is quite low compared to other European countries. However, due to the fact that almost two-thirds of France is occupied by meadows, mountains and forests, in the remaining territory the density reaches 289 people per 1 km2.

About 5 million people have foreign origin (immigrants, or their parents or grandparents were immigrants), of which 2 million have French citizenship. There are an average of 1.52 migrants per 1,000 people. Between 5 and 6 million inhabitants are Muslim.

More information about the population of France:

The official name of the country is Republique Francaise (French Republic), location is the western part of Europe, on the Atlantic coast. The total area of ​​the country is 547 square meters, the capital is Paris. The population according to 2014 data is 66 million people, the official language is French, although such nationalities as Moroccans, Italians, Portuguese and others live in the territory. The monetary unit since 2002 is the euro, formerly the French franc.

Geographical characteristics

Geographically, France lies between latitudes 4°27' West, 8°47' East, 42°20' and 51°5' North. The total length of the country from east to west is 950 km, from north to south 975 km. In the south the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in the west by the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay, and in the north by the English Channel and Pas de Calais.

The territories of France are located not only on the mainland; the Atlantic and Southern Overseas Territories, French Polynesia, the Futuna and Wallis Islands, and New Caledonia are an integral part of the country. France also includes such overseas departments as Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Saint-Pierre, Mayotte, Miquelon. The total area of ​​the overseas territories is 4 thousand square meters, the population is approximately 1.8 million people.

Nature

Mountains and plains

The relief of France is very diverse; in the north and west, plains and lowlands predominate, which gradually turn into high mountain ranges. The highest point is in the Alps in the southwestern part of the country, on the border with Switzerland and Italy. This is where the highest point in Western Europe is located - Mont Blanc with a height of 4807 m.

The southwestern part of France is characterized by mountainous terrain; this is where the Pyrenees mountain system is located, the height of which is only slightly lower than that of the Alpine ranges. The highest point of the Pyrenees reaches 3500 m...

Rivers and lakes

France's inland water resources are diverse, with a developed river system and many lakes. Most of the rivers originate in the Atlantic Ocean basins and central mountainous regions. The Loire is rightfully considered the longest, with a length of 1020 km and a basin of 115,120 sq.m.

Lakes are divided into three large groups - mountain lakes, those located on the sea coast, and flat lakes. The origin of the lakes is predominantly glacial, the largest is Bourget with a total area of ​​45 sq.m., located in the Alps. The second largest Lake Annecy has an area of ​​28 square meters, it is also located in the Alps, and the deepest Lake Geneva is located on the border between Switzerland and France - in the Pre-Alpine Trough...

Seas and oceans surrounding France

The geographical position of the country is very favorable, France is rich in inland water resources, on the south it is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, on the west by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This has a positive effect on the country's climate - softer and not as dry as many other neighboring countries of France...

Forests

Approximately 20% of the territory is occupied by forests, concentrated in the Pyrenees, Alps, Aquitaine, and in the east of the Paris Basin. The upper limit of the forest belt is located at 1800-2100 m above sea level in the Alps; subalpine shrubs and alpine meadows are located above. The southern part of the country is rich in sparse forests, including pine trees and evergreen oak, and bushes. For the north-west, meadows and heathlands are predominantly observed...

Plants and animals of France

The fauna of France is concentrated in the mountainous and forested areas of the country, the most common are mammals, including foxes, wild forest cats, deer, fallow deer, and squirrels. Mountain goats, alpine marmots, and chamois are found in mountainous and highland areas. Birds are mainly represented by kites, snipe, hawks, and hazel grouse.

The marine world is also diverse; sardines, flounder, cod, tuna, mackerel are found in the seas, trout, pike, pike perch, perch are found in the rivers...

Climate of France

The climate is temperate, the fundamental factor being the air masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean. A special feature of the climate is its clear zoning:

• the western part of the country has a maritime climate with mild winters without frost, rain and high humidity;
• the central part has a mild climate, but winters are colder and summers are hot, rains are not as frequent as on the west coast;
• the northeast has a temperate continental climate with relatively mild winters with little frost;
• The south has a distinct Mediterranean climate, with rainy winters and fairly dry, hot summers.

The climate of mountainous areas is characterized by sharp changes in daily temperatures, snowy and cold winters, hot summers....

Resources

France is rightfully considered the resource-rich country in Europe. The leading place is occupied by reserves of niobium, uranium, tantalum, lithium, and iron. In addition, there are reserves of barite, gold, copper, tin, talc, and aluminum ores. The country has rich deposits of bituminous limestone, kyanite, limestone, quartz sand, andalusite, feldspar, and diatomite. The geography of mineral resources includes departments and areas such as Puy de Dome, Lozère, Glomel, Pont du Chateau and others...

Industry and agriculture of France

Agriculture includes large lands protected by the state, and medium and small farms, which occupy the main share of this sector. In terms of agricultural production, France ranks third in the world and first among other Western European countries, offering cheeses, beef, butter, and wheat.

The industry is heterogeneous, with a large share in the automotive, aviation, electronics, space and rocket industries, petrochemicals, oil refining and energy...

Culture

Peoples of France

The population of France in 2014 was 66 million people, of which 63.9 million permanently reside in the country, 2.1 million in overseas provinces, 600 thousand in New Caledonia. Approximately 6% of those living in the territory do not have French citizenship - this is about 3.8 million people. About 2 million more French citizens permanently reside outside the country.

Approximately 94% of the population are native French, the remaining nationalities account for 1-1.5% each, these are Italians, Moroccans, Algerians, Portuguese. The indigenous population is represented by Franks, Burgundians, Visigoths, about 1 million people are Bretons, 1.3 million are Alsatians, 100 thousand people are Flemings, 200 thousand are Catalans, 300 thousand are Corsicans...

Republique française

Capital —
Square— 674,685 sq. km.
Population— 66.2 million people
Language- French
Form of government- presidential-parliamentary republic
Date of foundation- 843 (Treaty of Verdun), 1958 (Fifth Republic)
Largest cities — ,
Currency— euro
Timezone— +1, in summer +2
Telephone code — +33

At the official level, the name of the country sounds like French Republic. The capital of the country is the city. France is located in western Europe and, in addition to the main territory, includes the island of Corsica, located in the vast Mediterranean Sea, as well as overseas departments and dependent territories. The total area of ​​the country is 674,685 thousand square kilometers. Administratively, France is divided into regions, of which there are about 30. Each region has its own budget and tax levels, but they are not autonomous. The population of France is represented by ethnic French (about 90%), as well as such national minorities as Catalans, Corsicans, Bretons, Jews and others. Religiously, France is multifaceted: the bulk of the population are Catholics, but there are also Muslims, Protestants, and Jews. French is the official language of the country. Along with the official language, there are also about ten varieties of regional languages.

France - video

In France, fairly dry and hot summers give way to cool and rainy winters. France can be called a mountainous country. The mountains here are represented by such large massifs as the Alps and the Pyrenees. There are a great many large and small rivers on the territory of the country. The largest of them are, naturally, the Seine, as well as the Rhone, Garonne and Loire.

France is one of the key participants in world political events. The centers of such large organizations of world importance as UNESCO, Interpol, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures are located here. Along with this, the country is one of the major tourist centers in Europe and the whole world.

Sights of France

Of course, the first and most visited attraction, cultural value and symbol of the country is, which is located in the capital of France - Paris. The tower was built at the end of the 18th century according to the design of designer Gustav Eiffel on the Champs de Mars. The height of the tower is approximately 320 meters.

No less famous is Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, located in the east of the Ile de la Cité. Here, the monumentality of the Norman Romanesque style is combined with Gothic lightness, which together creates the uniqueness of the architectural ensemble.

It is impossible not to mention the world famous art museum of France -. The museum is located in Paris on the Rue de Rivoli, on the right bank of the Seine. The Louvre is a former royal palace with a statue of King Louis XIV, marking the starting point of the "historical" axis of Paris. Among the exhibits stored in the museum there are such masterpieces of art as the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa or Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, paintings by Titian and Rembrandt and many others.

In one of the largest cities in France - located Capitol, which is at the same time the city hall and the city opera house with an orchestra, which is more than two hundred years old. The length of the Capitol façade is 130 meters.

Not far from Paris is the city of Versailles, which tourists will be interested in visiting Palace of Versailles- the ceremonial palace of the kings of France, built according to the design of the architect Louis le Vaux. In the 18th century, the palace was a role model for architects throughout Europe.

About 30 kilometers from Paris is located European Disneyland- a huge tourist complex that includes hotels, restaurants, cafes, entertainment attractions and much more. It is an exact copy of an American amusement park. The advantage of European Disneyland is that, in addition to , every visitor, without flying over the Atlantic Ocean, can get acquainted with “a true piece of America.”

How can we not mention the world famous Champs Elysees- according to residents - “the most beautiful street in the world.” The Champs-Élysées is known for its luxurious houses and expensive shops. It hosts annual military parades, running from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. World film premieres are held in local cinemas.

1. Tourists in France should carefully monitor their personal belongings. The theft of bags from passers-by by motorcyclists passing by is quite common here. To avoid becoming a victim of pickpockets, you should not leave personal items on the front seats of cars, and be extremely careful at airports, train stations, public transport and supermarkets.

2. If you witness a traffic accident in which people were injured, then it is imperative to provide assistance to the victims. Otherwise, you face quite large fines and even imprisonment, since in France this is considered a violation of the law.

3. You must always carry with you documents that prove your identity (original or officially certified copy). Representatives of the law may ask you to present this document, and if it is not there, you will have to proceed to the nearest police station to find out your identity.

4. Transporting narcotic or other prohibited substances is a criminal offense in France. Therefore, be prepared for thorough police checks of your belongings at checkpoints at airports and railway stations.

5. You need to be especially careful when crossing the road, even at pedestrian crossings, since local drivers do not always slow down in front of them, contrary to the prevailing opinion about the good manners of French motorists.

6. In local hotels and hotels of different levels you will be offered multiple meals only if you book a room for three to four days. Be careful when paying for hotels with credit cards - there is fraud in the form of using your data for illegal purposes.

7. Tipping in France ranges from 12 to 15% of the total price and is usually included in the bill for hotel rooms or restaurant orders. If you wish, you can leave the change when paying to the waiter or concierge.

8. There are very few Russian-speaking people among the service staff, but in many restaurants you can be offered a menu in Russian.

9. Since the beginning of 2008, France has adopted a law banning smoking in all public places. A year earlier, such a ban was introduced on smoking in workplaces, educational institutions, and waiting rooms at train stations and airports. Smoking is allowed on open terraces, stadium stands and bus stops. Smoking is also permitted in hotel rooms unless the hotel is designated non-smoking.

10. Shops in France start working at 9 am and end at 18:30 - 19:00. Supermarkets are open until 21 - 22 hours. Banking hours: from 9 to 12 and from 14 to 17 hours. Museums open at 9-10 am and close at 4-5 pm. Temples are open from 8 am until late evening.

11. In order to find lost items, you need to contact the Objets trouves service - this is a French lost property office.

12. Oddly enough, in terms of price level it is not the most expensive in Europe. However, prices for hotel rooms or dinner in restaurants can vary dramatically depending on the area in which you are located.

France on the map