Physical geography
Located in 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. Total area: 547,030 sq km, land area: 545,630 sq km. Note: includes Corsica and the rest of metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative divisions. Land boundaries: total 2,892.4 km, Andorra 60km, Belgium 620km, Germany 451km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73km, Monaco 4.4km, Spain 623km, Switzerland 573km. Coastline: 3,427km (mainland 2,783km, Corsica 644 km).Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south and Alps in east. Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash.
Climate
Generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean.Demography
Population: 58,109,160 (July 1995 est.).Economic geography
One of the world's most highly developed economies, France has substantial agricultural resources and a diversified modern industrial sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology and subsidies have combined to make it the leading agricultural producer in Western Europe. Largely self-sufficient in agricultural products, France is a major exporter of wheat and dairy products. The industrial sector generates about one-quarter of GDP, and the growing services sector has become crucial to the economy.Exports: $249.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.). Commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing Imports: $238.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.). Commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel products.
Religions
Roman Catholic 90 per cent, Protestant two per cent, Jewish one per cent, Muslim one per cent, unaffiliated six per cent.Languages spoken by nationals
French 100 per cent, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish).Time
One hour ahead of GMT.Currency
The French franc is divided into 100 centimes.Official holidays (all offices and shops closed)
1 January, New Year's Day - 30-31 March Easter Holiday - 1 May, Labour Day - 8 May - VE Day and Ascension Day - 18/19 May, Whitsun - 4 August, Bastille Day - 15 August, Assumption - 1 November, All Saints - 25 December, Christmas Day.What one should not fail to see
Paris: Montmartre artists' area and the Sacre Coeur Basilica, Notre Dame cathedral, climb the Eiffel Tower, Pompidou Centre, Louvre, Place des Vosges and Victor Hugo's House, walk along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, Pantheon, Jardins de Luxembourg, Musee d'Orsay, stroll through the Latin quarter and relax at one of the many cafes.Trips further afield: the chateaux of Fontainebleau and Versailles, the town of Chartes with its cathedral and magnificent stained glass windows, Eurodisney, picturesque areas such as Pontoise made famous by the Impressionists.
See small Breton towns such as Vannes, Flemish towns in the north such as Lille.
Explore the famous chateaux of the Loire valley such as Cheverney, Chambord or Chenonceau.
Major cities to see: Lyons, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Nice.
Main holiday sports
Skiing in the Pyrenees, hiking, swimming, horseriding, golf, canoeing/rafting, cycling, special art or cooking holidays.What to eat and drink
French cuisine is world famous, and especially good restaurants are located in Paris and Lyon. Sample a multitude of wines in southern vineyards or champagne in the vicinity of Reims.Main travel routes
International rail travel, including Eurostar from the UK, airlines fly into France's many airports, and ferries travel to various ports.Frontier formalities
Passports and visas
Visitors from the following countries do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months: Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, EU, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, USA, Uruguay.Customs
There is no limit to the importation of tax-paid goods purchased in any EU country. Goods bought duty free or outside the EU include: tobacco products that may be imported: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 350g tobacco. One litre of over 22º proof alcohol or two of fortified wine or two litres of wine and two of still table wine. Perfume: 60ml and 250ml toilet water.
