Area:
The total area of metropolitan France is 547,030 square kilometers of which 545,630 square kilometers is land with the rest being water. This makes France a little more than twice the size of the United Kingdom.
Population:
The population of France was estimated to be 60.18 million in 2003 - about the same number as the United Kingdom.
The average age of the French population is very similar to the UK's at 38.3 years but France enjoys a higher birth rate and a lower death rate. Infant mortality rates are also lower in France when compared to the UK and the overall life expectancy is a little higher at 79.3 years (75.6 for men and 83.1 for women).
Language:
French is the universal language of France although there are some (declining) local dialects and indeed languages (Breton and Alsatian for example). English is probably the most common second language with German and Spanish very popular as an additional choice in today's schools.
Borders:
France shares land borders with Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain and Switzerland. The French coastline is some 3,427 kilometers long.
Economy:
The economy of France is in a slow transition from one that featured extensive state ownership and active intervention to one that is more market based. Progress has been made towards the privitisation of key state owned industries and services but the government still seems reluctant to release certain important controlling share holdings. The French government is now backpedaling on the disastrous 35 hour week and is introducing pension reforms. With high tax rates and many disincentives for entrepreneurs France has still got quite a lot of work to do to realise the dream of a capitalist economy tempered by state aided social support.
The current unemployment rate is around 9%
France joined the European Monetary Union and has shared the Euro (€) as the common currency with the other founding members since January 1st 2002.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
