In Depth
See Also

France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose metropolitan territory Metropolitan France

Metropolitan France is the part of France [i] in Europe [i], including Corsica [i], as opposed to the overseas departments [i] ... 

 is located in Western Europe Western Europe

Western Europe is mainly a socio-political concept coined [i], forged and used during the Cold War [i]. ... 

 and which also comprises various overseas islands and territories located in other regions. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] almost completely enclosed by land: on the nor ... 

 to the English Channel English Channel

The English Channel is the part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] that separates the island [i] of Great Britain [i] ... 

 and the North Sea North Sea

he North Sea is a sea [i] of the Atlantic Ocean [i], located between Norway [i] and Denmark [i] in the ... 

, and from the Rhine Rhine

The Rhine River is one of the longest and most important river [i]s in Europe [i] at 1,320 kilometres [i] ... 

 to the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

. French people often refer to Metropolitan France as L'Hexagone because of the geometric shape of its territory. France is bordered by Belgium Belgium

The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe [i] bordered by the Netherlands [i] ... 

, Luxembourg Luxembourg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small landlocked [i] country in western Europe [i], bordered by Belgium [i] ... 

, Germany Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country [i] in central Europe [i]. ... 

, Switzerland Switzerland

Switzerland , officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked [i] Alpine country [i] in Central Europe [i] ... 

, Italy Italy

Italy, officially the Italian Republic , is a Southern European [i] country. ... 

, Monaco Monaco

The Principality of Monaco , more commonly known as Monaco, is a constitutional monarchy [i] and city-state [i] ... 

, Andorra Andorra

The Principality of Andorra is a small, landlocked [i] principality [i] in southwest ... 

, and Spain Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a Europe [i]an parliamentary monarchy [i]. ... 

.

Discussions

  Discussion Features

   Ask a question about 'France'

   Start a new discussion about 'France'

   Answer questions about 'France'

   'France' discussion forum

Timeline

44 BC   Antony granted a five-year governorship of northern and central Transalpine Gaul Gallia Narbonensis

Gallia Narbonensis was a Roman province [i] located in what is now Languedoc [i] and Provence [i], in so ... 

 (France) and Cisalpine Gaul (Northern Italy).

303   On a voyage preaching the gospel Gospel

In Christianity [i], gospel means "good news [i]". ... 

, Saint Fermin of Pamplona Pamplona

Pamplona is the capital city of Navarre [i], Spain [i]. ... 

 is beheaded Decapitation

Decapitation, or beheading, is the removal of a living organism's head [i]. ... 

 in Amiens Amiens

Amiens is a city and commune [i] in the north of France [i], 120 km north of Paris [i] ... 

, France.

640   The French France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 city of Lille Lille

Lille is the main city of France's fourth largest metropolitan area [i] . ... 

 is founded by Lyderic. Battle of Heliopolis between Arab Muslim Muslim

A Muslim is an adherent of Islam [i]. ... 

 armies and Byzantine Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used since the 19th century [i] to describe the Greek-spea ... 

.

732   Battle of Tours Battle of Tours

The Battle of Tours , often called Battle of Poitiers and also called in Arabic [i] The Court o ... 

: Near Poitiers Poitiers

Poitiers is a town located in west central France [i]. ... 

, France, leader of the Franks Franks

The Franks or the Frankish people were one of several west Germanic federations [i] ... 

  Charles Martel Charles Martel

Charles Martel was the Mayor of the Palace [i] and duke of the Franks [i]. ... 

 and his men, defeat a large army of Moors Moors

The Moors were the medieval Muslim [i] inhabitants of al-Andalus [i] and the Maghreb [i] and western Africa [i] ... 

, stopping the Muslim Muslim

A Muslim is an adherent of Islam [i]. ... 

s from spreading into Western Europe Western Europe

Western Europe is mainly a socio-political concept coined [i], forged and used during the Cold War [i]. ... 

. The governor of Cordoba Córdoba, Spain

Crdoba, also called Crdova, is a city [i] in Andaluca [i], southern Spain [i], and the capital of the province of Crdoba [i] ... 

, Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, is killed during the battle.

759   The Franks Franks

The Franks or the Frankish people were one of several west Germanic federations [i] ... 

 capture Narbonne Narbonne

Narbonne is a town and commune [i] of southwestern France [i] in the Languedoc-Roussillon [i] ... 

; the Saracens are completely driven out of France.

887   Odo, Count of Paris ascends to the throne of Western Francia Western Francia

Western Francia was the land under the control of Charles the Bald [i] after the Treaty of Verdun [i] of ... 

 (modern France)

970   Devastating decade long famine Famine

A famine is a phenomenon in which a large percentage of the population of a region or country is so unde... 

 begins in France

987   Hugh Capet, Count of Paris Paris

native_name = Ville de Paris |common_name = Paris ... 

, crowned King of France

990   The Pax Ecclesiae, an edict by the church in southern France attempting to outlaw acts of war against non-combatants and the clergy, is promulgated.

1000   Château de Goulaine vineyard Vineyard

A vineyard is a place where grape [i]s are grown for making wine [i], raisin [i]s, or table grape [i]s. ... 

 founded in France.

   More Events >>



Encyclopedia

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose metropolitan territory Metropolitan France

Metropolitan France is the part of France [i] in Europe [i], including Corsica [i], as opposed to the overseas departments [i]... 

 is located in Western Europe Western Europe

Western Europe is mainly a socio-political concept coined [i], forged and used during the Cold War [i]. ... 

 and which also comprises various overseas islands and territories located in other regions. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] almost completely enclosed by land: on the nor... 

 to the English Channel English Channel

The English Channel is the part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] that separates the island [i] of Great Britain [i] ... 

 and the North Sea North Sea

he North Sea is a sea [i] of the Atlantic Ocean [i], located between Norway [i] and Denmark [i] in the ... 

, and from the Rhine Rhine

The Rhine River is one of the longest and most important river [i]s in Europe [i] at 1,320 kilometres [i] ... 

 to the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

. French people often refer to Metropolitan France as L'Hexagone because of the geometric shape of its territory.

France is bordered by Belgium Belgium

The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe [i] bordered by the Netherlands [i] ... 

, Luxembourg Luxembourg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small landlocked [i] country in western Europe [i], bordered by Belgium [i] ... 

, Germany Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country [i] in central Europe [i]. ... 

, Switzerland Switzerland

Switzerland , officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked [i] Alpine country [i] in Central Europe [i] ... 

, Italy Italy

Italy, officially the Italian Republic , is a Southern European [i] country. ... 

, Monaco Monaco

The Principality of Monaco , more commonly known as Monaco, is a constitutional monarchy [i] and city-state [i] ... 

, Andorra Andorra

The Principality of Andorra is a small, landlocked [i] principality [i] in southwest ... 

, and Spain Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a Europe [i]an parliamentary monarchy [i].... 

. In some of its overseas departments, France also shares land borders with Brazil Brazil

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

, Suriname Suriname

Suriname, officially the Republiek Suriname, is a country in northern South America [i]. ... 

, and the Netherlands Antilles Netherlands Antilles

The Netherlands Antilles , previously known as the Netherlands West Indies or Dutch Antilles/We... 

. France is also linked to the United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 via the Channel Tunnel Channel Tunnel

[i] beneath the [[English Channel]... 

, which passes underneath the English Channel English Channel

The English Channel is the part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] that separates the island [i] of Great Britain [i] ... 

 .

The French Republic is a democracy Democracy

Democracy is a form of government [i] for a nation state, or for an organiz ... 

 which is organised as a unitary Unitary state

A unitary state is a state [i] or country [i] that is governed constitution [i]ally as one single unit, ... 

 semi-presidential Semi-presidential system

The semi-presidential system is a system of government in which a prime minister [i] and... 

 republic Republic

In a broad definition, a republic is a state [i] or country [i] that is led by people whose political power [i] ... 

. It is a developed country Developed country

A developed country is one that has a high income per capita.... 

 with the sixth-largest economy in the world. Its main ideals are expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is one of the fundamental documents of the French Revolution [i] ... 

. France is one of the founding members of the European Union European Union

The European Union is an intergovernmental [i] and supranational [i] ... 

, and has the largest land area of all members. France is also a founding member of the United Nations United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

, and a member of La Francophonie La Francophonie

La Francophonie, a French language [i] term coined in 1880 by French geographer Onsime Reclus [i], broth ... 

, the G8 G8

The Group of Eight consists of Canada [i], France [i], Germany [i], Italy [i], Japan [i], Russia [i], t ... 

, and the Latin Union Latin Union

The Latin Union is an international organization [i] of nations that use a Romance language [i]. ... 

. It is one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council is the organ of the United Nations [i] charged with maintaining peace [i]... 

 wielding veto power, and it is also one of eight acknowledged nuclear powers List of countries with nuclear weapons

This is a list of countries with nuclear weapons [i]. ... 

. France is the most popular international tourist destination in the world, receiving over 75 million foreign tourists annually, followed by Spain , the U.S.A. and China .
The name France Name of France

Origin of the country's name
The name France [i] comes from Medieval Latin [i] Francia, which literally me ... 

 originates from the Franks Franks

The Franks or the Frankish people were one of several west Germanic federations [i] ... 

, a Germanic tribe Germanic peoples

The Germanic peoples are groups of people identified by their use of the Germanic languages [i] that are ... 

 that occupied the region after the fall of the Western Roman Empire Western Roman Empire

The Western Roman Empire is the name given to the western half of the Roman Empire [i] after its divisio ... 

. More precisely, the region around Paris Paris

native_name = Ville de Paris
|common_name = Paris
... 

, called Île-de-France, was the original French royal demesne.

Geography



While the main territory of France is located in Western Europe Western Europe

Western Europe is mainly a socio-political concept coined [i], forged and used during the Cold War [i]. ... 

, France is also constituted from a number of territories in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i]... 

, the Caribbean Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

, South America South America

South America is a continent [i] situated in the western hemisphere [i] and, mostly, ... 

, the southern Indian Ocean Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth's wate... 

, the Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

, and Antarctica Antarctica

Antarctica is the southernmost continent and encompasses the South Pole [i]. ... 

 . These territories have varying forms of government ranging from overseas département to "overseas country".

Metropolitan France possesses a wide variety of landscapes, from coastal plains in the north and west to mountain ranges in the south-east and the south-west . The highest point in western Europe is situated in the French Alps: Mont Blanc Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco also known as "La Dame Blanche" , in the Alps [i], is the highest mountain [i] ... 

 at 4,810 metre Metre

The metre, or meter , is a measure of length [i]. ... 

s above sea-level. There are several other elevated regions such as the Massif Central Massif Central

The Massif Central is an elevated region in south-central France [i], consisting of mountain [i]s and plateau [i] ... 

, the Jura Jura mountains

The Jura folds are located north of the main Alpine [i] orogenic [i] front and are being continuall ... 

, the Vosges Vosges mountains

The Vosges mountains is a range in central-western Europe [i], stretching along the west side of the Rhine [i] ... 

, and the Ardennes Ardennes

The Ardennes is a region of extensive forests and rolling hill country, primarily in Belgium [i] and Luxembourg [i] ... 

 which are quite rocky and forested. France also has extensive river River

A river is a large natural waterway [i]. ... 

 systems such as the Loire Loire River

The Loire River, the longest river [i] in France [i] with a length of just over 1000 km [i], drai ... 

, the Rhône Rhône River

The River Rhne, is one of the major river [i]s of Europe [i], running through Switzerland [i] and France [i] ... 

, the Garonne Garonne

The Garonne is a river [i] in southwest France [i] and northern Spain [i], with a length of 575 km . ... 

 and the Seine Seine

The Seine is a major river [i] of north-western
... 

.

At 674,843 km² , France is the world's 40th-largest country . Metropolitan France Metropolitan France

Metropolitan France is the part of France [i] in Europe [i], including Corsica [i], as opposed to the overseas departments [i]... 

, with 551,695 km² , is somewhat larger than Yemen Yemen

Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a Middle East [i]ern country located on the Arabian Peninsula [i] ... 

 and Thailand Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia [i], bordering Laos [i] and Cambodia [i] to the e ... 

, and somewhat smaller than Kenya Kenya

The Republic of Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa [i]. ... 

 and the US state of Texas Texas

Texas is a state [i] in both the Southern [i] and Western [i] ... 

.

Due to its overseas departments and territories scattered on all oceans of the planet, France possesses the second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone Exclusive Economic Zone

Under the law of the sea [i], an Exclusive Economic Zone ... 

  in the world, covering 11,035,000 square kilometres , just behind the EEZ of the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 , but ahead of the EEZ of Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

 . The EEZ of France covers approximately 8% of the total surface of all the EEZs of the world, whereas the land area of the French Republic is only 0.45% of the total land area on Earth

Contrast and diversity

France is known around the world as a diverse country in its people, architectures and landscapes. About 50% of the French population claim to have foreign background, which makes France one of the most diverse countries in the world. Old and more recent immigrants came to France from the five continents . China China

China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 and the United Kingdom contributed most of its immigrants in 2005. France is also home of the highest point in Europe and the lowest point of Europe, Delta du Rhone, . France is seventeen-times smaller than Brazil and half the size of Ontario, which means that one hour by plane or eight hours by car are enough to cross the whole country from one extremity to the other. Despite its size, France's landscapes are extremely varied from one region to another, ranging from Paris and its suburbs to high alpine territory to oceanfront resort towns.

On the one hand, France is highly densified with old architecture such as the city of Paris or the Centre of Troyes. The French Familly code Napoleonic code

The original Napoleonic Code, or Code Napolon , was the French [i] civil code [i], establishe ... 

 is 200 years old and has been written under Napoleon Napoleon I of France

Napoleon I Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation and Prot... 

. On the other hand, France is a highly developed country with an extensive highway network , 32,000 kilometres of railways , along with modern ski resorts and gigantic malls.
France is also the country with the fastest average internet Internet

The Internet is the worldwide, publicly accessible network of interconnected computer network [i]s that ... 

 connection speed , and in 2004, for the 3rd time in a row, the French healthcare system has been ranked number one in the world by the World Health Organisation World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations [i], acting as a coordinati... 

.

History

See also: List of meanings of countries' names


The borders of modern France are roughly the same as those of ancient Gaul Gaul

Gaul was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe [i] comprising present-day n ... 

, which was inhabited by Celt Celt

The term Celt, normally pronounced // , refers to a member of any of a number of peoples in Europe u... 

ic Gauls. Gaul was conquered by Julius Caesar Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar , July 12 [i] or July 13 [i], 100 BC [i] – March 15 [i], 44 BC [i]) was a Roman [i] ... 

 in the 1st century BC, and the Gauls eventually adopted Roman Romance languages

The Romance languages, a major branch of the Indo-European language family [i], ... 

 speech and Roman culture. Christianity History of Christianity

This article outlines the history of Christianity [i] and provides links to relevant topics. ... 

 took root in the 2nd century and 3rd century AD, and became so firmly established by the fourth and fifth centuries that St. Jerome wrote that Gaul was the only region “free from heresy”. In the Middle Ages, the French would adopt this as a justification for calling themselves “the Most-Christian Kingdom of France.”

In the 4th century AD, Gaul's eastern frontier along the Rhine Rhine

The Rhine River is one of the longest and most important river [i]s in Europe [i] at 1,320 kilometres [i] ... 

 was overrun by Germanic tribes Germanic peoples

The Germanic peoples are groups of people identified by their use of the Germanic languages [i] that are ... 

, principally the Franks Franks

The Franks or the Frankish people were one of several west Germanic federations [i] ... 

, from whom the ancient name of "Francie" was derived. The modern name "France" derives from the name of the feudal domain of the Capetian Kings of France around Paris. Existence as a separate entity began with the Treaty of Verdun Treaty of Verdun

In the Treaty of Verdun [i] of 843 [i] the three surviving sons of Louis the Pious [i], ... 

 , with the division of Charlemagne Charlemagne

Charlemagne was the King of the Franks [i] who conquered Italy [i] and took the Iron Crown of Lombardy [i]... 

's Carolingian empire into East Francia Eastern Francia

Eastern Francia was the land of Louis the German [i] after the Treaty of Verdun [i] of 843 [i], which di ... 

, Middle Francia Middle Francia

Middle Francia describes the realm created for Emperor [i] Lothair I [i], wedged betw ... 

 and Western Francia Western Francia

Western Francia was the land under the control of Charles the Bald [i] after the Treaty of Verdun [i] of ... 

. Western Francia approximated the area occupied by modern France.

The Carolingians ruled France until 987, when Hugh Capet, Duke of France and Count of Paris, was crowned King of France. His descendants, the Capetian, Valois and Bourbon House of Bourbon

The House of Bourbon is an important Europe [i]an royal house [i]. ... 

 dynasties progressively unified the country through a series of wars and dynastic inheritance. The monarchy reached its height during the 17th century and the reign of Louis XIV Louis XIV of France

Louis XIV ruled as King of France [i] and of Navarre [i] from ... 

. At this time France had a tremendous influence over European politics, economy and culture and possessed the largest population in Europe .

The monarchy ruled France until 1789, when the French Revolution took place. King Louis XVI Louis XVI of France

Louis XVI was King of France [i] and Navarre [i] from 1774 [i] until 1791 [i], and t ... 

 and his wife, Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette

Maria Antonia Josefa Joanna von Habsburg-Lothringen, usually known as Marie Antoinette; was Queen... 

, were killed, along with thousands of other French citizens. During this era France played a major role in the American Revolution American Revolution

The American Revolution was a political movement that ended British [i] control ... 

 by providing capital and some military assets to the anti-British rebels. Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon I of France

Napoleon I Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation and Prot... 

 seized control of the Republic in 1799, making himself First Consul, and later Emperor Emperor

An emperor is a monarch [i], usually the sovereign [i] ruler of an empire [i] or another type o... 

 of what is now known as the First French Empire First French Empire

The First French Empire, commonly known as the French Empire or the Napoleonic Empire, cover... 

 . In the course of several wars, his armies conquered most of continental Europe, with members of the Bonaparte family being appointed as monarchs of newly established kingdoms.

Following Napoleon's defeat in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo Battle of Waterloo

The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18 [i], 1815 [i], was Napoleon Bonaparte [i] ... 

, the French monarchy was re-established. In 1830, a civil uprising established the constitutional Constitutional monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchical [i] government [i] established under a constitution [i] ... 

 July Monarchy followed by the Second Republic French Second Republic

The French Second Republic was the republican [i] regime of France [i] from February 25 [i], 1848 [i] ... 

 in 1848. The short-lived Second Republic ended in 1852 when Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte Napoleon III of France

Napolon III, Emperor of the French was President [i] of France [i] from 1849 [i] to 1852 [i], and then ... 

 proclaimed the Second French Empire Second French Empire

The Second French Empire or Second Empire was the imperial Bonapartist [i] regime of Napoleon III [i]... 

. Louis-Napoléon was unseated following the Franco-Prussian war Franco-Prussian War

The Franco-Prussian War was declared by France [i] on Prussia [i], which was backed by the North German Confederation [i]... 

 of 1870 to be replaced by the Third Republic French Third Republic

The French Third Republic, was the governing body of France [i] between the Second French Empire [i] and ... 

.



France had colonial Colony

In politics [i] and in history [i], a colony is a territory [i] under the immediate political control of ... 

 possessions, in various forms, since the beginning of the 17th century until the 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, its global colonial empire was the second largest in the world behind the British Empire British Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire [i] in world history and for a ... 

. At its peak, between 1919 and 1939, the second French colonial empire extended over 12,347,000 square kilometres of land. Including metropolitan France Metropolitan France

Metropolitan France is the part of France [i] in Europe [i], including Corsica [i], as opposed to the overseas departments [i]... 

, the total area of land under French sovereignty reached 12,898,000 square kilometres  in the 1920s and 1930s, which is 8.6% of the world's land area.

Though ultimately a victor in World War I World War I

World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and "The War to End All War... 

, France had suffered enormous losses both human and
material that weakened it for the decades to come. The 1930s were marked by a variety of social reforms introduced by the Popular Front government.

During World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

, after a short but grievous and violent battle, France's political leadership chose to surrender to Germany Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country [i] in central Europe [i]. ... 

 and enter a policy of collaboration with the enemy, a move that some disagreed with, leading to the formation of the Free French Forces Free French Forces

The Free French Forces were French [i] fighters in World War II [i], who decided to continue figh ... 

 outside of France and of the French Resistance French Resistance

The French Resistance is the name used for resistance movement [i]s during World War II [i] which fought ... 

 inside. France was finally liberated by the Allies in 1944.

After its liberation the country attempted to hold on to its colonial empire Colonialism

See colony [i] and colonisation [i] for examples of colonialism which do not refer to Western colonialism. ... 

, the comparative economic status, population and status as a dominant nation state Nation-state

A nationstate is a specific form of state [i], which exists to provide a sovereign [i] terri ... 

. The Fourth Republic was established after World War II, but was soon found too weak and unstable, and was replaced in 1958 by the current semi-presidential Fifth Republic established under General Charles de Gaulle Charles de Gaulle

Charles Andr Joseph Marie de Gaulle , in France [i] commonly referred to as Gnral de Gaulle, ... 

.

In 1946, France's half-hearted attempt at regaining control of its Indochina French Indochina

French Indochina was a federation [i] of protectorate [i]s and one directly ruled colony [i] in Southeast Asia [i] ... 

 colony resulted in the First Indochina War First Indochina War

The First Indochina War was fought in Indochina [i] between 1946 and 1954 between the imperial forces of ... 

, which finally ended with French defeat and withdrawal in 1954. Only months later, France faced a new, and even harsher conflict in its oldest major colony, Algeria Algeria

Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria is a country in north Africa [i],... 

. The debate over whether or not to keep control of Algeria, then home to over 1 million European settlers, wracked the country and nearly led to civil war. In 1958, the Fifth French Republic was established, with a greatly strengthened presidency; in this role, Charles de Gaulle managed to keep the country together while taking steps to end the war. The Algerian War of Independence Algerian War of Independence

The Algerian War was one of the most important colonial wars [i]. ... 

 was concluded with peace negotiations in 1962, which led to Algerian independence.

In recent decades, France's reconciliation and cooperation with Germany Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country [i] in central Europe [i]. ... 

 have proved central to the political and economic integration of the evolving European Union European Union

The European Union is an intergovernmental [i] and supranational [i] ... 

, including the introduction of the euro Euro

The euro is the official currency [i] of the European Union [i] member states of Austria [i], Belgium [i]... 

 in January 1999. France has been at the forefront of European Union member states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to create a more unified and capable European Union based political, defence and security apparatus. However the French electorate voted against ratification of the European Constitutional Treaty Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe

The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, commonly referred to as the European Constitution'... 

 in May 2005.

Government and politics




The constitution of the Fifth Republic was approved by referendum on 28 September 1958. It greatly strengthened the authority of the executive in relation to Parliament Government of France

The government of France is a semi-presidential system [i] based on the French Constitution [i] ... 

.

Under the constitution, the President of the French Republic President of the French Republic

The President of the French Republic colloquially referred to as President of France, is France's [i] ... 

 is elected directly by universal adult suffrage for a 5-year term. Presidential arbitration assures regular functioning of the public powers and the continuity of the state. The president names the prime minister, presides over the cabinet, commands the armed forces, and concludes treaties.

The French parliament Parliament

A parliament is a legislature [i], especially in those countries whose system of government is based on ... 

 is a bicameral legislature comprising a National Assembly French National Assembly

The French [i] National Assembly is one of the two houses of the bicameral [i] Parliament of France [i] ... 

  and a Senate French Senate

The Senate is the upper house [i] of the Parliament of France [i].
... 

. The National Assembly deputies represent local constituencies and are directly elected for 5-year terms. The Assembly has the power to dismiss the cabinet, and thus the majority in the Assembly determines the choice of government. Senators are chosen by an electoral college for 6-year terms , and one half of the seats are submitted to election every 3 years starting in September 2008.

The Senate French Senate

The Senate is the upper house [i] of the Parliament of France [i].
... 

's legislative powers are limited; in the event of disagreement between the two chambers, the National Assembly has the final say, except for constitutional laws . The government has a strong influence in shaping the agenda of Parliament.

For the past thirty years, French politics has been characterised by two politically opposed groupings: one left-wing, centred around the French Socialist Party, and the other right-wing, centred around the Rassemblement pour la République Rally for the Republic

The Rally for the Republic, also known by its acronym RPR, was a French [i] right-wing [i] ... 

 and its successor the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire Union for a Popular Movement

The Union for a Popular Movement, initially named the Union for the Presidential Majority, and mor... 

. The right-wing Front National party made significant inroads in the early 1980s by seizing on voter concern about the perceived decline of France, 'national dissolution' as a result of immigration and globalisation, and by advocating tougher law-and-order and immigration policies. Lately its share of the votes has remained stable at approximately 16%.

French foreign policy has been largely shaped by membership of the European Union European Union

The European Union is an intergovernmental [i] and supranational [i] ... 

. On 29 May 2005 the French electorate voted in the referendum French referendum on the European Constitution

On 29 May 2005 a referendum [i] was held in France [i] to decide whether the country should ratify [i] ... 

 with about 55% against ratification of the proposed Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe

The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, commonly referred to as the European Constitution'... 

. The outcome of the vote was widely regarded as crucial for the future development of the EU, as well as for France's ability to retain leadership in Europe.

France is also a member of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Secretariat of the Pacific Community

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community or SPC is a regional intergovernmental organisation whose... 

 , the Indian Ocean Commission , an associate member of the Association of Caribbean States Association of Caribbean States

The Association of Caribbean States was formed with the aim of promoting consultation, cooperation, and ... 

  and a leading member of the International Francophone Organisation La Francophonie

La Francophonie, a French language [i] term coined in 1880 by French geographer Onsime Reclus [i], broth ... 

  of fifty-one fully or partly French-speaking countries.

France hosts the headquarters of the OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international organisation [i] of those ... 

, UNESCO UNESCO

UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations [i] established in 1945. ... 

, Interpol Interpol

Interpol was created in 1923 [i] to assist international criminal police co-operation. ... 

, and the International Bureau for Weights and Measures in charge of the international metric system.

Administrative divisions


France is divided into 26 administrative régions: 22 are in metropolitan France Metropolitan France

Metropolitan France is the part of France [i] in Europe [i], including Corsica [i], as opposed to the overseas departments [i]... 

 , and four are overseas régions. The régions are further subdivided into 100 départements. The departments are numbered and this number is used, for instance, in postal codes and vehicle number plates.

The departments are further subdivided into 342 arrondissements, but they have no elected assembly and serve only for the districting of state administrations. The arrondissements are further divided into 4,035 cantons, but again these serve only administrative and electoral purposes. Finally, the arrondissements are divided into 36,682 communes Communes of France

The commune is the lowest level of administrative division [i] in the French Republic [i] ... 

, which are municipalities with an elected assembly .

The régions, départements, and communes are known as "territorial collectivities" , meaning they possess local assemblies as well as an executive, while the arrondissements and the cantons are mere administrative divisions. Until 1940, the arrondissements were also territorial collectivities with an elected assembly , but these were suspended by the Vichy regime Vichy France

Vichy France, or the Vichy regime was the de facto French [i] government of 1940-1944 durin ... 

 and definitely abolished by the Fourth Republic in 1946. Historically, the cantons were also territorial collectivities with their elected assemblies.

Four of the départements are overseas départements which are an integral part of France and thus enjoy a status similar to metropolitan départments.

In addition to the 26 régions and 100 départements, the French Republic is further made up of four overseas collectivities, one sui generis collectivity , and one overseas territory.

Overseas collectivities and territories form part of the French Republic, but do not form part of the EU European Union

The European Union is an intergovernmental [i] and supranational [i] ... 

 or its fiscal area. The Pacific territories continue to use the Pacific franc whose value is linked to that of the euro Euro

The euro is the official currency [i] of the European Union [i] member states of Austria [i], Belgium [i]... 

. In contrast, the four overseas régions/départements used the French franc and now use the euro.

France also maintains control over a number of small non-permanently inhabited islands in the Indian Ocean Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth's wate... 

 and the Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

: Bassas da India Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean

The Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean comprise four small coral islands and an atoll in the Indian O... 

, Clipperton Island Clipperton Island

Clipperton Island is a seven-square-kilometer [i] coral atoll [i] in the North Pacific Ocean [i] ... 

, Europa Island Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean

The Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean comprise four small coral islands and an atoll in the Indian O... 

, Glorioso Islands Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean

The Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean comprise four small coral islands and an atoll in the Indian O... 

, Juan de Nova Island Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean

The Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean comprise four small coral islands and an atoll in the Indian O... 

, Tromelin Island Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean

The Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean comprise four small coral islands and an atoll in the Indian O... 

. See Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Transportation


Military


The French armed forces Armed forces

The armed forces of a state [i] are its government sponsored defense and fighting forces and organizatio ... 

 are divided into four branches: