Welcome to France

France is known to be a country whose metropolitan territory is situated in Western Europe and that also comprises various overseas islands and territories situated in other continents. Metropolitan France stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. French people frequently refer to Metropolitan France as L'Hexagone (It is noted that the "Hexagon") because of the geometric shape of its territory. France is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain. Due to its overseas departments, France also shares land borders with Brazil and Suriname (bordering French Guiana), and the Netherlands Antilles (bordering Saint-Martin). France is known to be also linked to the United Kingdom by the Channel Tunnel, that passes underneath the English Channel. Did you know that the French Republic is known to be a democracy that is organised as a unitary semi-presidential republic. Its primary ideals are and have always been expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It is known to be a developed country with the sixth-most impressive and largest economy in the globe. France is the most visited country in the globe, receiving over 79 million foreign tourist and vacationerss annually (including business visitors, but excluding people vacationing less than 24 hours in France). France is recognized to be one of the founding members of the European Union, and has to this day the most impressive and largest land location of all members. France is known to be also a founding member of the United Nations, and a member of the Francophonie, the G8, and the Latin Union. It is recognized to be one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council; it is always also an acknowledged nuclear power. Did you know that the name France originates from the Franks (Francs), a Germanic tribe that occupied northern Europe after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. More precisely, the region around Paris, named Île-de-France, was the original French royal demesne. Did you know that the first King of the Franks, Clovis, is regarded as the forefather of the French kings.

Climate

Three types of climate may be discovered within France: oceanic, continental, and Mediterranean. Did you know that the oceanic climate, prevailing in the western parts of the country, is one of modest temperature range, ample rainfall, cool summers, and cool but seldom very cold winters. Did you know that the continental (transition) type of climate, discovered over much of eastern and central France, adjoining its extensive common boundary with west-central Europe, is characterized by warmer summers and colder winters than places farther west; rainfall is known to be ample, and winters tend to be snowy, especially in the higher areas. Did you know that the Mediterranean climate, widespread all over the south of France (except in the mountainous southwest), is one of cool winters, hot summers, and limited rainfall. Did you know that the mean temperature is known to be about 11°C (53° F) at Paris known to be and 15°C (59° F) at Nice. Within central and southern France, annual rainfall is light to moderate, ranging from about 68 cm (27 in) at Paris to 100 cm (39 in) at Bordeaux. Rainfall is heavy in Brittany, the northern coastal areas, and the mountainous areas, where it reaches more than 112 cm (44 in).

Population Stats

Population (2007 est.): 61,083,916 (growth rate: 0.3%);
birth rate: 11.9/1000;
infant mortality rate: 4.2/1000;
life expectancy: 79.9;
density per sq mi: 290