| Local Name:
République Française |
| Surface : 211,208
sq. mi.
(547,030 sq. km) |
| Population : (1999
est.)
58,978,172 |
| Climate: The climate of France is generally temperate, but
wide regional contrasts occur, as in the Mediterranean coastal area, where semitropical
conditions prevail, and in the plateau and eastern highlands regions, where the climate is
generally continental. Temperatures along the Atlantic seaboard are equalized by ocean
currents and the prevailing southwestern winds. In the interior, particularly the
northeastern region, severe winters and hot summers are normal. The average daily
temperature range in Paris is 1° to 6° C (34° to 43° F) in January and 15° to 25° C
(58° to 76° F) in July. At Marseille, on the Mediterranean coast, the daily average is
2° to 10° C (35° to 50° F) in January and 17° to 29° C (63° to 84° F) in
July.
Average precipitation is 620 mm (24 in) per year in Paris, and 550 mm (22 in) annually in
Marseille. Weather throughout much of France can be changeable at all times of
year.
Regional variations in precipitation range between about 1,400 mm (about 55 in) annually
in the mountainous areas and about 250 mm (about 10 in) annually in certain northern
lowland areas. One of the meteorological peculiarities of southern France is the
mistral,
a strong northern wind of the Mediterranean region, originating in the central plateau
region. |
| Visas: Nationals of the EU, the USA, Canada, New
Zealand, Australia and
Israel do not require visas to visit France as tourists for up to three
months. Except for
people from a handful of other European countries, everyone else must have a
visa. PASSPORTS:
Valid passport required by all, except: EU nationals holding valid national identification
cards; holders of national identification cards issued to nationals of Andorra,
Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland. Passports must be valid 3 months beyond
length of stay. |
| Electricity: 220V, 50Hz |
| Capital : Paris (pop 13
million) |
| System : Presidential Republic ....The
President – who has considerable executive as well as coercive power
– is elected by direct popular vote for a 7-year term. Legislative
power is held by a bicameral parliament: the 577-member National
Assembly, elected for a 5-year term, and the 321-member senate.
Senators are elected for nine years with one-third of the seats coming
up for re-election every three years. |
| Languages: french, regional
dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan,
Basque, Flemish). |
| Religions : Roman Catholic 81% Muslim 6.9% Protestant
1.7% Jewish 1.3% |
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| Ferry....
italiano...
german
.... english
..... french |
| Bookings of hotels, B&B’s,
apartments, country villas and
spa .... click
here |
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| Money : Euro |
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+ 33 |
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