France

EconomyFrance is a well-developed economy that relies on the industry, agriculture, and commerce. Farmers grow fruits (grapes rank as one of the most important French crops, which makes rich French wine), vegetables, and grain. They also raise beef and dairy cattle. France is one of the World's leading manufacturing countries, there natural recourses include coal, iron, ore, and bauxite.

A lot of French people trace their ancestry to the Celts and Romans of early Europe. In France they speak French and about 75% of them are Roman Catholics. Kings that have ruled in the past set up a republic government. Their last king was ruled in 1792, but the kings ruled for over 800 years giving France a great European power.

France is one of the oldest civilizations in the world; the land is 212,392 square miles. It is slightly smaller than the state of Texas. A channel was built connecting Great Britain and France. Almost one-half of France's boarders are coastline.

France has 3 types of climates, Mediterranean coast, summers are hot and winters are mild, western France, cool summers and mild winters with plenty of rainfall, farther north from the ocean the summers are wormer, there is less rain, and the winters are cooler.

A lot of the rivers in France are navigable or are usable for long ships. The Rhine River forms part of Frances border also.

People

France

Capital: Paris (9.5 million people live in Paris!)

Nickname: "Hexagon"Motto: "Liberte...Agalite...Fraternite"

France

In the first half of the 1900's France was the battle ground for 2 world wars. In the city about 74% of 58.8 million people live in cities or big towns.

ParisA world center of art and learning is home to many universities, museums, and other cultural sites. Paris is Frances leading center of transport, industry, and communications. Millions of tourists from all over the world come to see Paris annually.

Fun Facts:There are more than 300 kinds of cheese made in France. The French national anthem is called la Marseillaise because it was first sang by soldiers from the Marseille marching to Paris.French people love cheese and Wine!

Some mountains separate France from Spain. The south east Alps also divide France from Italy and Switzerland. One of the mountains is Mont Blanc is one of the highest mountains in Europe.