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{{about|the country}}
[[File:Rouen France Panoramic-View-02.jpg|thumb]]
'''France''' ({{Audio-IPA|en-us-France.ogg|/ˈfræns/}} or {{IPA|/ˈfrɑːns/}}; {{IPA-fr|fʁɑ̃s}}), officially the '''French Republic''' ({{lang-fr|République française}}, {{IPA-fr|ʁepyblik fʁɑ̃sɛz}}), is a [[country]] whose [[Metropolitan France|metropolitan territory]] is in [[Western Europe]] and that also includes various [[Overseas departments and territories of France|overseas islands and territories in other continents]].<ref name="CatTOM">For more information, see [[:Category:Overseas departments, collectivities and territories of France]].</ref> Metropolitan France extends from the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the [[English Channel]] and the [[North Sea]], and from the [[Rhine]] to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. It is often referred to as ''L’Hexagone'' ("The [[Hexagon]]") because of the shape of its territory. France is a [[unitary state|unitary]] [[semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[republic]] with its main ideals expressed in the [[Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen]].

[[Metropolitan France]] is bordered (clockwise from the north) by [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]], [[Italy]], [[Monaco]], [[Andorra]], and [[Spain]]. The overseas departments and collectivities of France also share land borders with [[Brazil]] and [[Suriname]] (bordering [[French Guiana]]), and the [[Netherlands Antilles]] (bordering [[Saint-Martin]]). France is linked to the [[United Kingdom]] by the [[Channel Tunnel]], which passes under the English Channel.

France is the largest country in the [[European Union]] and the second largest in Europe. It has been one of the world's most [[Power in international relations|powerful]] countries for many centuries. During the 17th and 18th centuries, France colonized much of [[North America]]. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, France built [[French colonial empire|one of the largest colonial empires]] of the time, including large parts of [[North Africa|North]], [[West Africa|West]] and [[Central Africa]], [[Southeast Asia]], and many [[Pacific Islands|Pacific islands]]. France is a [[developed country]] and has the fifth largest [[Economy of France|economy]]<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2195.html Field listing - GDP (official exchange rate)], CIA World Factbook</ref> in the world, according to [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|nominal GDP figures]]. It is the most visited country in the world, with 82 million foreign visitors every year.<ref name="tourism.stat">{{cite web|publisher=Direction du Tourisme (French government's tourism agency)|url=http://www.tourisme.gouv.fr/fr/z2/stat/tis/att00018288/TIS_EVE2007_2008-5.pdf|title=Le tourisme international en France en 2007|accessdate=2008-06-05|format=PDF|archive-date=2008-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195206/http://www.tourisme.gouv.fr/fr/z2/stat/tis/att00018288/TIS_EVE2007_2008-5.pdf|url-status=dead}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> France was one of the first members of the [[European Union]], and has the largest land area of all members. It is also a founding member of the [[United Nations]], and a member of the [[Francophonie]], the [[G8]], [[NATO]], and the [[Latin Union]]. It is one of the five permanent members of the [[United Nations Security Council]]. France owns the largest [[List of countries with nuclear weapons|number of nuclear weapons]] with active warheads, and the largest number of [[Nuclear power in France|nuclear power plants]], in the European Union.

France's official language is [[French language|French]], which is also official in 29 other countries. Some other French speaking countries include Haiti, Cameroon, and Niger. An interesting fact is that the French king Louis XIX only enjoyed 20 minutes of royal fame after his father Charles X abdicated, leaving him to ascend the French throne in July 1830.

== Geography and climate ==
France is in [[Western Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.essex.ac.uk/armedcon/world/europe/western_europe/default.html|title=Western Europe|accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref> France shares its [[border]]s with [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]], [[Italy]], [[Monaco]], [[Andorra]], and [[Spain]].<ref name="kwintessential1">{{cite web|url=http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/article/France/Geography-of-France/540|title=French Geography|accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref> France has two [[mountain]] ranges near its borders: the [[Alps]] in the east and the [[Pyrenees]] in the south.<ref name="kwintessential1"/> There are many rivers in France, including the [[Seine]] and the [[Loire River|Loire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francethisway.com/tourism/french-rivers.php|title=French Rivers|accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref> In the north and the west of France, there are low hills and river valleys.

In France there are many different [[climate]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/92/climate/Europe/France.html|title=Climates of France|author=World Travel Guide|accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref> The [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] has a major effect on the weather in the north and west. This means the temperature is about the same most of the year. It is in the marine west coast climate region. In the east, winters are cold and the [[weather]] is good. Summers are hot and stormy. In the south, winters are cool and [[rain|wet]]. Summers are hot and dry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francetourism.com/practicalinfo/general.htm|publisher=French Tourist Office|accessdate=2009-09-30|title=Practical Information on France – General|archive-date=2009-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805195645/http://www.francetourism.com/practicalinfo/general.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The north has a temperate climate similar to that of the United Kingdom and other Northern European countries.

France has the second-largest [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] (EEZ) in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.developpementdurable.com/economie/2010/07/A2769/mediterranee-la-france-prend-le-controle-en-creant-une-zone-economique-exclusive.html|title=EEZ of France|accessdate=1 August 2010}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> It covers 11,035,000 [[square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]] (4,260,637 [[square miles|sq mi]]). Only the [[United States]] has a larger one . 

== History ==
The name "France" comes from the [[Latin]] word Francia ', which means "land of the [[Franks]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2008/04/20/features/3057797.txt|title=Origin of Francia|author=The Sun Chronicle|accessdate=3 August 2010}}</ref>

The borders of modern France are about the same as those of ancient [[Gaul]]. [[Celt]]ic Gauls inhabited Ancient Gaul. [[Julius Caesar]] conquered Gaul for [[Roman Empire|Rome]] in the 1st century BC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/History/Roman_Empire.shtml|title=Caesar Conquered Gaul|work=discoverfrance.net|author=Discover France|accessdate=3 August 2010}}</ref> Eventually, the Gauls adopted [[Romance languages|Roman]] speech ([[Latin]], from which the [[French language]] evolved) and Roman culture. [[History of Christianity|Christianity]] first appeared in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. It became firmly established by the fourth and fifth centuries.

[[File:Map France 1477-fr.svg|thumb|left|France in 1477. Red line: Limit of the Kingdom of France; Light blue: the royal domain]]
In the 4th century AD, the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribes]], principally the [[Franks]] invaded the Gauls. This is how the name ''Francie'' appeared. The modern name "France" comes from the name of the [[Capetian dynasty|Capetian]] Kings of France around Paris. The Franks were the first tribe of Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire to convert to Christianity rather than [[Arianism]]. The French called themselves "the most Christian Kingdom of France".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wf-f.org/03-1-France.html|title=France used this pretext to call themselves this|author=wff|accessdate=3 August 2010|archive-date=22 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722112834/http://www.wf-f.org/03-1-France.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Treaty of Verdun]] (843), divided [[Charlemagne]]'s [[Empire]] into three parts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francebalade.com/histo/carolin.htm|title=Division of Charlemagne's empire into three parts|author=France Balade|accessdate=3 August 2010}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> The biggest area was Western Francia. It is similar to modern France.

The [[Carolingian]] [[dynasty]] [[rule]]d France until 987, when [[Hugh Capet of France|Hugh Capet]] became [[King of France]]. His descendants, the [[Capetian dynasty|Direct Capetians]], the [[House of Valois]] and the [[House of Bourbon]], [[wikt:unify|unified]] the country with many wars and dynastic inheritance. The monarchy was the most [[great power|power]]ful during the 17th century and the reign of [[Louis XIV of France]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uncg.edu/rom/courses/dafein/civ/timeline.htm|title=French History - Le Grand Siècle|author=UNCG|accessdate=3 August 2010|archive-date=1 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301141722/http://www.uncg.edu/rom/courses/dafein/civ/timeline.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> At that time, France had the [[Demographics of France|largest population in Europe]]. The country had a big influence over European [[politics]], [[economy]], and [[culture]]. [[French language|French]] became the common language of [[diplomacy]] in international affairs. Much of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] happened in France. French scientists made big [[Science|scientific]] discoveries in the 18th century. France also [[invasion|conquered]] many [[French overseas collectivities|overseas possessions]] in the Americas and Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.understandfrance.org/France/History3.html|title=French colonies History|author=Understand France|accessdate=3 August 2010}}</ref>

France had a [[monarchy]] until the [[French Revolution]] in 1789. The Great King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] and his wife, [[Marie Antoinette]], were [[executed]] in 1793.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95nov/antoinette.html|title=Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette's executions|author=Lucidcafé|accessdate=3 August 2010|archive-date=9 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609055954/http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95nov/antoinette.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thousands of other French citizens were killed. [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] took control of the Republic in 1799. He later made himself Emperor of the First Empire (1804–1814). His armies conquered most of [[Europe|continental Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.napoleonguide.com/campind.htm|title=Campaigns of Napoleon Bonaparte|author=Napoleonguide.com|accessdate=3 August 2010}}</ref> The [[metric system]] was invented by French scientists during the French revolution. That time 3 estates were developed.

After Napoleon's final defeat in 1815 at the [[Battle of Waterloo]], another monarchy arose. Later [[Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte]] created the Second Empire in 1852. Louis-Napoléon was removed after the defeat in the [[Franco-Prussian war]] of 1870. The Third Republic replaced his [[regime]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intellego.fr/soutien-scolaire-3eme/aide-scolaire-Education-civique-juridique-et-sociale/Les-regimes-politiques-de-France-de-1780-a-nos-jours./31424|title=Regimes of France|author=Intellego|accessdate=3 August 2010}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

The large [[French colonial empire]] in the 19th century included parts of [[West Africa]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. The culture and politics of these regions were [[influence]]d by France. Many [[colony|ex-colonies]] officially speak the [[French language|French]] language.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alsintl.com/resources/languages/French/|title=French language in Colonies|author=alsintl.com|accessdate=3 August 2010|archive-date=1 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901085645/http://www.alsintl.com/resources/languages/French/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The country actively took part in both the [[WWI|First]] and [[WWII|Second World Wars]], with battles taking place on its soil. During the [[First World War]], millions were killed in the trenches including over a million in the [[Battle of the Somme]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/somme.htm|title=Battle of the Somme|author=firstworldwar.com|accessdate=3 August 2010}}</ref> The conditions were extremely difficult for the soldiers on the front. The last surviving veteran was Pierre Picault who died on 20 November 2008 at the age of 109.<ref name="France">[http://dersdesders.free.fr/france.html Ders Des Ders Report - France] {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
During the Second World War, [[Nazi]]s [[wikt:occupy|occupied]] France. The Allies landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944 and began the [[Battle of Normandy]]. German forces lost France in just a few months.

== Divisions ==

The 13 regions and 96 [[departments of France|departments]] of [[metropolitan France]] include [[Corsica]]. France is divided into (administrative) [[region]]s:
* [[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]]
* [[Bourgogne-Franche-Comté]]
* [[Brittany]] (''Bretagne'')
* [[Centre-Val de Loire]]
* [[Corsica]] (''Corse'')
* [[Grand Est]]
* [[Hauts-de-France]]
* [[Île-de-France]]
* [[Normandy]] (''Normandie'')
* [[Nouvelle-Aquitaine]]
* [[Occitanie]]
* [[Pays de la Loire]]
* [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]]

Corsica has a different status than the other 12 metropolitan regions. It is called ''[[collectivité territoriale]]''.

France also has five [[Overseas Regions of France|overseas regions]]:
* [[French Guiana]] (in South America)
* [[Guadeloupe]] (in the Caribbean)
* [[Martinique]] (in the Caribbean)
* [[Mayotte]] (in the Indian Ocean)
* [[Réunion]] (in the Indian Ocean)
These four overseas regions have the same status as the metropolitan ones. They are like the overseas American states of [[Alaska]] and [[Hawaii]].

Then France is divided into 101 [[Departments of France|departments]]. The departments are divided into 342 [[Arrondissements of France|arrondissements]]. The ''arrondissements'' are re-divided into 4,032 [[Cantons of France|cantons]]. The smallest [[Administrative division|subdivision]] is the [[Communes of France|commune]] (there are 36,699 communes). On January 1, 2008, [[INSEE]] counted 36,781 communes in France. 36,569 of them are in [[metropolitan France]] and 212 of them are in [[overseas France]].<ref>{{in lang|fr}} {{cite web|url=http://www.insee.fr/fr/methodes/nomenclatures/cog/documentation.asp| title=Code officiel géographique – Présentation|first=[[Government of France]]| last=[[INSEE]]|accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref><ref>{{in lang|fr}} {{cite web|url=http://www.insee.fr/fr/methodes/default.asp?page=nomenclatures/cog/outremer.htm| title=Code des collectivités d'outre-mer (COM)|first=[[Government of France]]| last=[[INSEE]]|accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref>

== Government ==
The government of France is a [[semi-presidential system]] determined by the [[French Constitution]] of the French Fifth [[French Republic|Republic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Semi-presidential_system|title=France's political system}}</ref> The constitution declares the nation to be "an indivisible, [[secular]], [[Democracy|democratic]], and [[social]] [[Republic]]". It provides for a [[separation of powers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unc.edu/depts/europe/francophone/principles_en.pdf|title=Separation of Powers|author=Guy Carcassonne|publisher=unc.edu|accessdate=4 August 2010}}</ref>

== Military ==
[[File:Gaule96.jpg|thumb|right|Nuclear [[aircraft carrier]] ''Charles de Gaulle'']]
[[File:French Republican Guard Bastille Day 2007 n4.jpg|thumb|upright|French Republican Guard]]

The French [[armed forces]] has four branches:
* The ''Armée de Terre'' (Army)
* The ''Marine Nationale'' (Navy)
* The ''Armée de l'Air'' (Air Force)
* The ''Gendarmerie Nationale'' (A military force which acts as a [[National]] [[Rural]] [[Police]])

France has about 359,000 military personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/060626_asia_balance_powers.pdf|title=Number of military personnel in France, page 32}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/westmb012302%5B1%5D.pdf|title=Number of military personnel in France, page 112}}</ref> France spends 2.6% of its [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) on [[defense (military)|defense]]. This is the highest in the [[European Union]]. France and the [[UK]] spend 40% of the EU defence [[budget]]. About 10% of France's defence budget is for its [[nuclear weapons]] force.

== Foreign relations ==
{{see also|European Union|United Nations Security Council}}

France is a member of the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/en/members/index.shtml#f|title=Members of the UN|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=4 August 2010}}</ref> It is a permanent member of the [[United Nations Security Council]] and has [[veto]] rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/sc/members.asp|title=Members of the Security council|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=4 August 2010}}</ref> It is also a member of the [[World Trade Organisation]] (WTO). It hosts the headquarters of the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]], [[UNESCO]] and [[Interpol]]. In [[1953]], the [[United Nations]] asked France to choose a [[coat of arms]] to represent them internationally. The French emblem is now on their [[passport]]s.

France was a founding member of the [[European Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/index_en.htm|title=History of the EU|publisher=European Union|accessdate=5 August 2010}}</ref> In the 1960s, France wanted to exclude the [[United Kingdom]] from the [[organisation]]. It wanted to build its own [[Economy|economic]] [[Influence|power]] in continental [[Europe]].  France and [[Germany]] became closer after [[World War II]].  This was to try to become the most influential country in the EU.  It limited the influence of the new [[Eastern Europe]]an members. France is a member of the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organisation]] (NATO).<ref name="nato">{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm|title=NATO - Member countries|date=2010-07-30|publisher=Nato.int|accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref> However, under [[Charles de Gaulle|President de Gaulle]], it left the joint military command. In the early 1990s, France received [[criticism]] for its underground [[nuclear weapons|nuclear]] tests in [[French Polynesia]]. France vigorously opposed the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2688117.stm|title=Opposition of the war in Iraq|publisher=BBC website|accessdate=5 August 2010}}</ref> France retains strong political and economic influence in its former [[Africa]]n colonies. For instance it has supplied economic aid and troops for peace-keeping missions in the [[Ivory Coast]] and [[Chad]].

== Economy ==
[[File:A380 Reveal 2.jpg|thumb|left|The first completed [[Airbus A380]] in [[Toulouse]] on 18 January 2005. Airbus is a symbol of the [[globalisation]] of the French and European economy.]]

France is a member of the [[G8]] group of [[wikt:lead#Verb|leading]] [[wikt:industry|industrialised]] countries. France has the eighth-largest economy in the world by [[gross domestic product|Gross domestic product (GDP)]] (which takes into account how much it costs to live in different countries and [[inflation]] rates).<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2001rank.html|title = CIA World Factbook GDP PPP data update of 2008|publisher = US Government|date = 20 November 2008}}</ref> France and 11 other [[European Union]] members jointly launched the [[euro]] on 1 January 1999 and started using it in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1845045.stm|title=Euro launched in 12 countries}}</ref>

France's economy has nearly 2.9 million registered companies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journaldunet.com/management/repere/entreprises_france_type.shtml|title=Number of companies in France}}</ref> The government has a considerable influence over [[railway]], [[electricity]], [[aircraft]], and [[telecommunications]] firms (as it owns big companies like [[SNCF]] and [[Électricité de France|EDF]] (French electricity)).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investisseurs.edf.com/the-edf-group/edf-investors/stock-information/shareholding-policy-117065.html|title=Shareholding policy|date=31 December 2007|publisher=Électricité de France|accessdate=2009-04-05|archive-date=2012-07-09|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709190130/http://investisseurs.edf.com/the-edf-group/edf-investors/stock-information/shareholding-policy-117065.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> France has an important aerospace (design of [[aircraft]] and [[spacecraft]]) industry led by [[Airbus]].<ref>{{in lang|fr}} {{cite web| url=http://www.ademe.fr/midi-pyrenees/documents/a_3/cnes_dossier_presse.pdf| title=France| author=CNES| format=PDF| accessdate=2007-05-30| archive-date=2007-06-29| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629155229/http://www.ademe.fr/midi-pyrenees/documents/a_3/cnes_dossier_presse.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref> It can also launch [[rocket]]s from [[French Guiana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/kourou_origin.html|title=Rocket launch site in Kourou}}</ref>

France has invested a lot in [[nuclear power]]. This made France the smallest producer of [[Greenhouse gas|carbon dioxide]] among the seven most industrialised countries in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bls-frenchcourses.com/french-economy-industry-GB.html|title=France, smallest producer of CO2|access-date=2009-09-12|archive-date=2009-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627085127/http://www.bls-frenchcourses.com/french-economy-industry-GB.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a result, 59 nuclear power plants generate  most of the electricity produced in the country (78% in 2006,<ref>{{cite web |author=DGEMP / Observatoire de l'énergie|date=April 2007|url=http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/energie/statisti/se_elec.htm|title=Électricité en France: les principaux résultats en 2006.|accessdate=2007-05-23}}</ref> up from only 8% in 1973, 24% in 1980, and 75% in 1990).

France is the leading agricultural producer and exporter in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/185827.html|title=France is the leading agricultural producer and exporter in Europe}}</ref> France exports [[wheat]], [[poultry]], [[dairy]] products, [[beef]], and [[pork]]. It is also famous for its [[wine]] industry. France received 10 billion euros in 2006 from the European Community as [[Subsidy|subsidies]] to its farmers.<ref name="BBCCap">{{cite news|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4407792.stm|title = Q&A: Common Agricultural Policy |publisher = BBC News|date = 20 November 2008}}</ref>

At one time, the Factory Act of 1833 limited the workday for women and children to 11&nbsp;hours a day.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/lesson13.htm |title=1833 Factory Act |accessdate=2010-03-14 |author2=Kew, Richmond, Surrey |work= The National Archives }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
On 1 January 2008, it was estimated that 63.8 million people live in France, including in the [[Overseas Regions of France]].<ref name="entire">{{cite web |url= http://www.insee.fr/en/themes/document.asp?ref_id=ip1170&reg_id=0|title=Demographic report 2007 - The birth rate remains very high|publisher =Government of France - INSEE|accessdate=2008-01-15}}</ref> 61,875,000 of these live in metropolitan France, the part of the country that is within [[Europe]].<ref name=entire/>

=== Ethnic groups ===
The major ethnic groups living in France today are descended from [[Celt|Celtic people]] and [[Ancient Rome|Roman people]].<ref name="USStateDeptBN">{{cite web|url = http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3842.htm|title = Background Note: France|work = Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Electronic Information and Publications Office > Background Notes  - Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs |date = August 2008|publisher = U.S. State Department|accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref> The significant minority groups living in France are:
* Teutonic, that is [[Germanic peoples]]<ref name="USStateDeptBN" />
* [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]]<ref name="USStateDeptBN" />
* people from [[North Africa]]<ref name="USStateDeptBN" />
* Sub-Saharan African - people from [[Africa]] who live south of the [[Sahara]] desert<ref name="USStateDeptBN" />
* people from [[Indochina]]<ref name="USStateDeptBN" />
* people from the [[Basque Country (greater region)|Basque Country]] of southwest Europe<ref name="USStateDeptBN" />

== Culture ==
[[File:Claude Monet 1899 Nadar.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Claude Monet]], founder of the [[Impressionism|Impressionist]] movement]]
[[File:Chateau de Montsoreau Museum of contemporary art Loire Valley France.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Château de Montsoreau]] is the only castle in France built in the [[Loire]] river bed.]]
=== Language ===
{{main|French language}}
[[French language|French]] is the official [[language]] of France. It belongs to the [[Romance language]] group, which includes [[Italian language|Italian]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. Many regional [[dialect]]s are also used in France. [[Alsatian language|Alsatian]], a [[Germany|German]] dialect, is spoken in [[Alsace]] and in parts of [[Lorraine]] in eastern France. French was the language of [[diplomacy]] and [[culture]] in [[Europe]] between the 17th and 19th century and is still widely used.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=207636|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423103843/http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=207636|archivedate=2008-04-23|title=France an important language of diplomacy}}</ref>

Some people in France also speak [[Basque language|Basque]], [[Breton language|Breton]], [[Catalan language|Catalan]], [[Corsican language|Corsican]], [[German language|German]], [[Flemish language|Flemish]], and [[Occitan language|Occitan]].

=== Religion ===
{{bar box
|title=France religiosity
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=religion
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Christianity|blue|54}}
{{bar percent|Not religious|gray|31}}
{{bar percent|Islam|green|5}}
{{bar percent|Judaism|pink|1}}
{{bar percent|Other religions<br />or no opinion|brown|10}}
}}

France is a [[Secularism|secular]] country and the [[constitution]] guarantees freedom of [[religion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/connaissance/constitution.asp|title=Constitution of 1958|accessdate=13 August 2010|publisher=Assemblée Nationale}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> The [[population]] is about 51% [[Roman Catholic]], and 31% of people are [[Agnosticism|agnostics]] or [[Atheism|atheists]]. 5% are [[Islam|Muslim]], 3% say they are [[Protestantism|Protestant]] and 1% say they are [[Judaism|Jewish]]. 10% are from other religions or do not have an opinion about religion.<ref>{{cite web |author=Catholic World News |publisher= |year=2003 |url=http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=48547 |title=France is no longer Catholic, survey shows |accessdate=2007-01-11}}</ref><ref name="religion">{{in lang|ro}} [http://www.cotidianul.ro/franta_nu_mai_e_o_tara_catolica-20395.html Franţa nu mai e o ţară catolică], ''[[Cotidianul]]'' 2007-01-11</ref> There are also [[Zoroastrian]], [[Unitarian Universalism|Unitarian Universalist]], [[Jainism|Jain]] and [[Wicca]]n communities. Religions founded in France include [[Raelism]].

According to a Poll in 2007:<ref name="EUROBAROMETER">{{cite web| url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf | title= Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 - page 11|format = PDF| accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref>
* '''34%''' of French citizens responded that ''"they believe there is a [[God]]"''.
* '''27%''' answered that ''"they believe there is some sort of [[spirit]] or life force"''.
* '''33%''' answered that ''"they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force"''.

=== Literature ===
{{main|French literature}}
[[File:Dartagnan-musketeers.jpg|right|thumb|''The Three Musketeers'' by [[Alexandre Dumas, père|Alexandre Dumas]]]]
French literature began in the [[Middle Ages]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Literature/DF_literature.shtml|title=French literature started in the Middle Ages}}</ref> French was divided into several dialects at the time. Some authors [[spelling|spelled]] words differently from one other.

During the 17th century, [[Pierre Corneille]], [[Jean Racine]], [[Molière]], [[Blaise Pascal]] and [[René Descartes]] were the main authors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://17emesiecle.free.fr/Auteurs.php|title=French authors of the 17th century|author=17eme siecle|accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref>

In the 18th and 19th centuries, French literature and poetry reached its best. The 18th century saw writings of authors, [[essay]]ists and [[moral]]ists as [[Voltaire]] and [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]].
As for French children's literature in those times, [[Charles Perrault]] wrote stories such as "[[Little Red Riding Hood]]", "[[Beauty and the Beast]]", "[[Sleeping Beauty]]" and "[[Puss in Boots]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perraultfairytales.com/en/stories|title=Perrault's tales|accessdate=2010-09-12|publisher=PerraultFairyTales.com|archive-date=2011-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715065339/http://www.perraultfairytales.com/en/stories|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Many famous French novels were written in the 19th century by authors such as [[Victor Hugo]], [[Alexandre Dumas, père|Alexandre Dumas]] and [[Jules Verne]]. They wrote popular novels like [[The Three Musketeers]], [[The Count of Monte-Cristo]], [[Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea]], [[The Hunchback of Notre-Dame]] and [[Les Misérables]]. Other 19th century fiction writers include [[Emile Zola]], [[Guy de Maupassant]], [[Théophile Gautier]] and [[Stendhal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Literature/DF_literature.shtml |title=French Literature |accessdate=2010-08-03 |last=Boorsch |first=Jean |date=1996 |work=Discoverfrance.net |page=5 }}</ref>

Famous novels were written during the 20th century by [[Marcel Proust]], [[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry]], [[Albert Camus]], [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] and [[Michel Houellebecq]].

=== Sports ===
[[File:TourDeFrance 2005 07 09.jpg|right|thumb|The ''Peloton'' (means "pack" in French) of the [[Tour de France]]]]
The [[Tour de France]] [[cycling]] [[Racing|race]] in July is one of the best-known [[sport]]ing events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weightlossdietinformation.com/the-tour-de-france-the-most-famous-bicycle-race-in-the-world.html|title=Famous tour de France|author=Damian Papworth|accessdate=2010-09-16|archive-date=2011-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718024209/http://www.weightlossdietinformation.com/the-tour-de-france-the-most-famous-bicycle-race-in-the-world.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is a three-week race of around 3,500&nbsp;km that covers most of France and ends in the centre of Paris, on the ''Avenue des Champs-Elysées''. [[Football (soccer)|Football]] is another popular sport in France. The French team won the [[FIFA World Cup]] in 1998 and 2018. They also won the [[UEFA European Football Championship]] in 1984 and 2000. France also hosts the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] [[car race]]. France also hosted the [[Rugby World Cup]] in 2007 and finished fourth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://french.lovetoknow.com/Popular_French_Sports |title=Popular French Sports |accessdate=2010-08-03 |last1=Dautaj |first1=Jacqueline |last2=Delp |first2=Valorie |last3=Finley |first3=Amy |work=LoveToKnow Corp. }}</ref>
France is closely associated with the [[Olympic Games|Modern Olympic Games]]. At the end of the 19th century, the [[Baron]] [[Pierre de Coubertin]] suggested having the Olympic Games again. France hosted the [[Summer Olympics]] twice, in 1900 and 1924, in [[Paris]]. France will host the Summer Olympics in 2024, in [[Paris]]. France also hosted the [[Winter Olympic Games|Winter Games]] three times: in 1924 in [[Chamonix]], in 1968 in [[Grenoble]], and in 1992 in [[Albertville]].

=== Cuisine === <!-- [[French cuisine]] redirects here -->
[[File:Terrine de saumon au basilic.JPG|thumb|right|230px|Basil salmon [[Terrine (food)|terrine]]]]

French cuisine has influenced the style of cooking throughout Europe, and its chefs work in restaurants throughout the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delices-du-monde.fr/recettes-francaise.html|title=Diversity of French Cuisine|accessdate=1 August 2010}}{{in lang|fr}}</ref>

The roots of modern ''haute cuisine'' lie in chefs like [[François Pierre La Varenne|La Varenne]] (1615–1678) and the notable chef of [[Napoleon]], [[Marie-Antoine Carême]] (1784–1833). These chefs developed a lighter style of food compared to the food of the [[Middle Ages]]. They used fewer spices, and more [[herb]]s and creamy ingredients.

Typical ingredients like [[roux]] and fish stock, and techniques such as [[marinade|marinading]], and dishes such as [[ragout]], were invented. Carême was an expert pâtissier (pastry-maker), and this is still a mark of French cooking. He developed basic sauces, his 'mother sauces'; he had over a hundred sauces in his repertoire, based on the half-dozen mother sauces.

French cuisine was introduced in the 20th century by [[Auguste Escoffier|Georges Auguste Escoffier]] (1846–1935). He was a genius at organisation. He worked out how to run large restaurants, as in a big hotel or a palace; how the staff should be organised; how the menu was prepared. He had methods for everything. Escoffier's largest contribution was the publication of ''Le Guide Culinaire'' in 1903, which established the fundamentals of French cookery. Escoffier managed the restaurants and cuisine at the [[Savoy Hotel]] and [[Carlton Hotel]] in [[London]], the [[Hôtel Ritz Paris]], and some of the greatest cruise ships.

Escoffier, however, left out much of the culinary character to be found in the [[regions of France]].

Gastro-tourism and the ''[[Guide Michelin]]'' helped to make people familiar with the rich [[bourgeois]] and peasant cuisine of the French countryside in the 20th century. [[Gascony|Gascon]] cuisine has also had great influence over the cuisine in the southwest of France. Many dishes that were once regional have become common all over the country. [[Cheese]] and [[wine]] are a major part of the cuisine, playing different roles regionally and nationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodcooking.com/frcheese.htm|title=French Cheeses|accessdate=1 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franceway.com/cheese/|title=French Cheese|accessdate=1 August 2010|archive-date=27 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827131743/http://www.franceway.com/cheese/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://trifter.com/practical-travel/world-cuisine/top-10-most-tasty-cuisines-in-the-world/|title=The world's best cuisines|accessdate=1 August 2010|archive-date=26 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726071220/http://trifter.com/practical-travel/world-cuisine/top-10-most-tasty-cuisines-in-the-world/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the [[north]] of France, people often prefer to use [[butter]] to [[wikt:cook|cook]]. In the [[south]], they prefer [[olive oil]] and [[garlic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jvmxWfyZ2tFVA3qcmC7DkX6SMi5g|title=Butter and oil in French Cuisine|accessdate=1 August 2010}}</ref> In France, each [[Regions of France|region]] has its own special [[dish]]; [[choucroute]] in [[Alsace]], [[quiche]] in [[Lorraine]], [[cassoulet]] in the [[Languedoc-Roussillon]], and [[tapenade]] in [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]].

In November 2010, '''French gastronomy''' was added by [[UNESCO]] to its lists of the world's 'intangible cultural heritage'.<ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/DN-culture_17int.ART.State.Edition1.b21e71.html Bon appétit: Your meal is certified by the U.N.] Dallas Morning News</ref><ref>[http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/celebrations_healing_techniques_crafts_and_culinary_arts_added_to_the_representative_list_of_the_intangible_cultural_heritage/ Celebrations, healing techniques, crafts and culinary arts added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage]</ref>

=== Tourism ===
[[File:Chateau-de-versailles-cour.jpg|thumb|The [[Palace of Versailles]] is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France.]] 
France is the number one [[tourist]] destination in the world. In 2007, 81.9 million foreign tourists visited France.<ref name="gouv2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.tourisme.gouv.fr/fr/z2/stat/tis/att00018288/TIS_EVE2007_2008-5.pdf|title=Le tourisme international en France en 2007|publisher=Direction du Tourisme (French government's tourism agency)|format=PDF|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624195206/http://www.tourisme.gouv.fr/fr/z2/stat/tis/att00018288/TIS_EVE2007_2008-5.pdf|archivedate=24 June 2008|accessdate=2008-06-05}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> [[Spain]] comes second (58.5 million in 2006) and the [[United States]] come third (51.1 million in 2006).
Some of the most famous attractions in Paris, are the [[Eiffel Tower]] and the [[Arc de Triomphe]]. Another one is [[Mont Saint Michel]], in [[Normandy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.culture.gouv.fr/deps/mini_chiff_03/fr/musee.htm|title=Musées et Monuments historiques}}</ref>

A European [[Disneyland]] is located in a [[suburb]] east of Paris. The resort opened in 1992 and is also a popular tourist destination in [[Europe]].

==Related pages==
* [[France at the Olympics]]
* [[France national football team]]
* [[List of rivers of France]]

== References ==
[[File:Paris 06 Eiffelturm 4828.jpg|thumb|right|110px|[[Eiffel Tower]]]]
{{reflist|2|refs=
}}

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=upper-roman}}

== Other websites ==
{{commons|France}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{cite web|url=http://about-france.com|title=Clear but detailed information about France|author=About-France.com}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fr.html|title=CIA World Factbook – France|author=Central Intelligence Agency}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.lescommunes.com/index.en.html|title=Cities and Towns in France|author=Lescommunes.com|accessdate=2010-08-08}}

{{Europe}}
{{Group of 7}}
{{European Union}}
{{North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)}}

{{Authority control}}

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