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| Independence Year : 843 Population : 59225700 Life Expectancy : 78.8 Capital : 2974 GNP : 1424285.00 GNP Old : 1392448.00 Local Name : France Government Form : Republic Location : Central 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. Terrain : Mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east Climate : Generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral. Ethnic Group : Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Sub-Saharan African, Indochinese, and Basque minorities Religions : Roman Catholic 90% Official Website :www.elysee.fr/accueil/ | 
Genral Information - France
Background
Since prehistoric times, France has been a crossroad of trade, travel, and invasions. Three basic European ethnic stocks--Celtic, Latin, and Teutonic (Frankish)--have blended over the centuries, to make up France present population. Today France is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy, resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the advent of the euro in January 1999. Presently, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus |
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