Country's Full Name: République Française - French Republic

Brief History: France is known for it's luxury hotels, five-star hotels, luxury and fine dining restaurants (who doesn't love French food) but France had a checkered past in selecting between monarchy and democracy. Monarchy came to an end after the execution of Luis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette. The newly formed republic was short lived with Napolean Bonaparte establishing the greatest French Empire.
France emerged as victor in I and II World Wars, but the war deeply shattered the economy. France was the initiator in forming G 8 countries, world's most industrialized nations. The European Union was created at the behest of France making it to a largest, powerful economy. The treaty of Paris in 1951 made France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy and West Germany paved the way to form European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). This later merged in European Community or European Union.

What is the country known for: How can anybody forget the 'statue of liberty' a gift to the US. France is also remembered for its engineering marvel 'Eiffel Tower'. Visitors should not forget to visit the art galleries and museums.

Main Industries: machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages.

Main Trading Partners Imports - Germany 19%, Belgium 11%, Italy 8.3%, Spain 7%, Netherlands 6.7%, UK 6.5%, US 4.6% (2006) Import commodity - machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals. $529.1 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) Exports - Germany 15.6%, Spain 9.6%, Italy 8.9%, UK 8.2%, Belgium 7.2%, US 6.7%, Netherlands 4% (2006). Export Commodities - machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages. Export value - $490 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.).

Major Cities: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes.

Location:
Metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname
Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico
Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Metropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E
French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W
Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W
Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E

Size:
Total 643,427 sq km; 547,030 sq km (Metropolitan France)
land: 640,053 sq km; 545,630 sq km (Metropolitan France)
water: 3,374 sq km; 1,400 sq km (Metropolitan France)
note: the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion
France is slightly less than the area of Texas.
Total coastline - 4,668 km

Time Zone:
Central European Standard Time
UTC/ GMT 1 hour
Daylight Saving Time - GMT 2 hour

Type of Government: France is a republic with two legislative houses (Senate [331], and National Assembly [577]). The bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (331 seats, 305 for metropolitan France, 9 for overseas departments, 5 for dependencies, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve nine-year terms; (one third elected every three years). The National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats, 555 for metropolitan France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for dependencies). Members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms.
Present President - Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007)
Present Prime Minister - Francois FILLON (since 17 May 2007)

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
8 May 1945 Victory Day.
13 May Ascension.
24 May Whit Monday.
14 Jul Bastille Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
11 Nov Remembrance Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
25 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
8 May 1945 Victory Day.
2 Jun Ascension.
13 Jun Whit Monday.
14 Jul Bastille Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
11 Nov Remembrance Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
In France, the months of July and August are traditionally when the French take their holidays. For this reason, the less touristic parts of France are quiet during these months, while coastal resorts, especially in the south, are very crowded.

Population and Breakdown:
Total: 63,713,926
note: 60,876,136 in metropolitan France (July 2007 estimated)
0-14 years: 18.6% (male 6,063,181/female 5,776,272)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 20,798,889/female 20,763,283)
65 years and over: 16.2% (male 4,274,290/female 6,038,011) (2007 est.)

Life expectancy - total population: 80.59 years
male: 77.35 years
female: 84 years (2007 estimated)

Religion: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 2%, Jews 1%, Muslim 8%, others 4%.

Language: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)

Local Customs:
Know about their local culture, many believe French are rude.
Table manners
Put your hands on the table while sitting.
Place your napkin on your lap after the host has done it.
Hire a translator as most people speak French.

Best Time to go: In August summer holidays are observed in Spain, France and Italy. The rates will be higher, better plan your visit between May and June.

Currency:
1 Euro = 0.67937 British Pound
1 British Pound (GBP) = 1.47195 Euro (EUR)
1 Euro = 1.36801 US Dollar
1 US Dollar (USD) = 0.73099 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations: How much liquor or cigarettes can you bring in with you

European Union - No more duty free allowances are allowed in EU countries. Visitors entering from EU countries can bring 200 cigars, 3200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 10 liters of spirit, 110 litres of beer, 20 litres of fortified wine/and or 90 litres of wine. Visitors can purchase VAT free articles at the airport while traveling between EU countries.

Non EU countries - Visitors above the age 15 and above may enter Spain duty free with up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, a litre of alcohol and 2 litres of wine.

Tipping:

In France tipping is called as "Garcon" or pronounced: gar-son

A general rule for tipping while in France
Tip to the cab driver - 10%
Hotel Porter - 1 Euro per bag
Guides in museum - 1 or 2 Euros
Expensive restaurants, discos, concert halls - 1 Euro
Lunch or Dinner - 1 to 5 Euros