France
France, officially known as the French Republic, is a country whose territory consists of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories. Here is an overview of this diverse and historically rich nation:
Geography
France covers an area of 643,801 square kilometers (248,573 sq mi) and has a population of about 67 million. It is the largest country in the European Union by area and the third most populous. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It includes several territories, such as Corsica, and numerous islands.
History
France's history spans over two millennia:
- Prehistory and Antiquity: Human presence in France dates back to the Lower Paleolithic. The area was home to various tribes, including the Celts (Gauls), before being conquered by the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC.
- Middle Ages: After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, France evolved through the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties, leading to the establishment of the Kingdom of France.
- Renaissance: During the Renaissance, France saw significant cultural and artistic flourishing, notably under the reign of Francis I.
- Revolution and Empire: The French Revolution (1789-1799) transformed the country from a monarchy to a republic, eventually leading to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the creation of the First French Empire.
- 19th and 20th Century: France experienced several regime changes, including the Second Empire, the Third Republic, and was deeply involved in both World War I and World War II.
- Modern Era: Post-WWII, France experienced economic growth known as the Trente Glorieuses and has been a key player in the European Union and global politics.
Culture
France is renowned for its culture, which includes:
Politics and Economy
France operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic with the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. It has a mixed-market economy, the seventh largest in the world by nominal GDP, with significant sectors in agriculture, industry, and services.
References
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