1. GEOGRAPGHY & ECONOMY
By Kevin Maldonado Torres

2. Territorial evolution

3. France is the largest West European nation; is located in Western
Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, Belgium,
Germany, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and the
Mediterranean Sea. Its Geographic coordinates: 46° 00 N, 2 °00 E

4. Population - Its estimated population is 65,630,692 (July 2012 est.)
Total Area -The total area of france is 547,030 sq. km , which 545,630 sq
km is land and 1,400 sq. km of water
Coastline - 3,427 km
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
Terrain -Mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder
is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east

5. Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Land use:
arable land: 33%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 20%
forests and woodland: 27%
other: 18% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 16,300 sq km (1995 est.)

6. Natural Resources - Although diverse, the natural resources of France are
relatively limited in quantity. France has some coal, iron ores, bauxite, and
uranium; but the coal veins are deep and difficult to work and are
unsuitable for use in the manufacture of steel. Iron ores are of a low grade,
and the uranium ore is found only in small quantities.
Deposits of petroleum are almost nonexistent, and natural gas reserves
discovered (1951) at Lacq in the Pyrenées are now nearly exhausted.
Hydroelectric production, although well developed, does not meet France's
needs. On the other hand, high-quality soils cover almost half the
country's surface, giving France an agricultural surplus that makes it an
exporter of food.
Natural Hazards-flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought;
forest fires in south near the Mediterranean.

7.  Alpes Mont Blanc

8.  Pyrenees

9.  French rivers

10.  Vineyards

11.  France is the world's number four economic power in terms
of GDP –Gross Domestic Product. The country's assets are
varied and include its transport and telecommunications
sectors, agri-foodstuffs and pharmaceutical industries
along with banking, insurance, tourism and the traditional
luxury products (leather goods, ready-to-wear fashion,
perfumes, fine wines and spirits, etc.).
 Historically, agriculture was one of France's major
industries. France is still a leading producer of wine.

12.  French business is currently burdened by the world's
highest level of payroll tax (cotisations sociales), which
at 43% are far higher than in any other country. The next
highest rates are found in Spain and the Czech Republic
(30%), while businesses in the UK pay a payroll tax (NI
contributions) of just 11%, and those in the USA just 5%.
 In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with
Germany have proved central to the economic
integration of Europe, including the introduction of a
common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999.

13.  French state has maintained an above-average ability to intervene in
economic affairs, remaining a major shareholder in utilities such as EDF
where it has a majority holding, or France Telecom (Orange), in which it has
a 27% holding.
 The French state - which for most of this time was in the hands of
Conservatives - played an active role through the establishment of a series
of four year plans (Contrats de plan), whereby the state set economic
targets and economic priorities, but left it up to private enterprise to achieve
or apply them. For example, the rapid development of the French motorway
system was achieved (and is still being achieved) by public investment
offset by the sale of long-term concessions to private or semi-private
companies to operate and maintain them.

14. Regarding its labor market, France has one of the
highest levels of graduates, and the highest
number of science graduates per 1000 workers of
any European country.

15.  France was the first country in the world to propose, plan
and set up a dedicated high-speed rail network; today
the country can boast the world's most extensive high-
speed rail network, one which runs without interruption
from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, and east-west
from near the German border to the lower reaches of the
Loire.
 State intervention in the automotive sector has helped
Renault become one of the main world players; the
French government still holds a 15% stake in Renault
which, in turn, is the leading investor (almost 45%) in
Nissan.

16.  Since 2007, France like other countries has
had to adapt to new global economic
realities. It is doing so through measures
designed to modernize its economy; but
modernization in France is often a difficult
process.

17.  National Products
 Wine - Red Grape & White grapes
 Champagne
 Perrier sparkled water

18.  Fashion and Boutique

19. Transportation
Concord
Renault
High Speed Train

20. Tourism
Palace of Versailles
Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
Mont Saint Michael

21. Fin