Country Profile PDF

Country Profile: French Republic
Country Profile
French Republic
By: Anouska Shrestha,

Kamakshi Kanojia
Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 1

Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the French Republic……...………………2
2. Government……………………………………….………3
3. Economy………………...…………………………………9
4. Military…………………………………………………..20
5. Culture………………………………………………...…25
6. Geography…………………...………………………..….32
7. United Nations Policy….……………………………..….35
8. References……………………………………………..…41
Introduction to the French Republic

Country: French Repuplic Main exports: Machinery and transport

equipment, agricultural products, including wine
Population: 65,630,692
GNI per capital: US $42,420 (World Bank,
Continent: Europe 2011)
Capital (and largest city): Paris HDI: 0.884 (20th)
(48°51.4′N 2°21.05′E / 48.8567°N 2.35083°E)
Time Zone: UTC +1
Official Language: French
Drives on the: Right
Area: 543,965 km2
ISO 3166 code: FR
Currency: Euro
Internet TLD: .fr
Monetary unit: 1 euro = 100 cents
Calling code: 33
GDP: $2.77 trillion (World Bank, 2011)
National Emblem: Blue, white and red tricolor
Government: Unitary semi-presidential flag
constitutional republic
National Anthem: La Marseillaise.
President: François Hollande
National Symbol: Gallic Rooster
Prime Minister: Jean-Marc Ayrault
Maxim: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
Suffrage: 18 years; Universal
Religions: Roman Catholic 65%, Muslim
Major Religion: Christianity (primarily North African) 6%, Protestants 2%,
Life expectancy: 78 years (men)85 years Jewish 1%, Agnostic/Atheist/Other 26%[1][2]
(women) (UN)

Government
Official Name: French Republic
Conventional Short Form: France
Local Long Form: Republique Francaise
Type of Government: Semi-Presidential Constitutional Democratic Republic1 (Fifth Republic)
Administrative Divisions:
27 regions:
1. Alsace 14. Ile-de-France,

2. Aquitaine 15. Languedoc-Roussillon,
3. Auvergne 16. Limousin,
4. Basse-Normandie (Lower 17. Lorraine,
Normandy) 18. Martinique,
5. Bourgogne (Burgundy), 19. Mayotte,
6. Bretagne (Brittany), 20. Midi-Pyrenees,
7. Centre, 21. Nord-Pas-de-Calais,
8. Champagne-Ardenne, 22. Pays de la Loire,
9. Corse (Corsica), 23. Picardie,
10. Franche-Comte, 24. Poitou-Charentes,
11. Guadeloupe, 25. Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur,
12. Guyane (French Guiana), 26. Reunion,
13. Haute-Normandie (Upper 27. Rhone-Alpes
Normandy),
France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions and 5 overseas regions (French Guiana,
Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan
departments and 5 overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions)

Dependent Areas:
Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, New Caledonia,
Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna
The national Government of France is divided into executive, legislative and judicial branch.
Executive:
Head of State: President of France
Head of Government: Prime Minister of France
President: François Gérard Georges Nicolas Hollande (Socialist Party)
Prime Minister: Jean-Marc Ayrault (Socialist Party)
Foreign Minister: Laurent Fabius (Socialist Party)
Cabinet:
The Council of Ministers is appointed by the president at the suggestion of the prime minister
Elections:
The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term (and is eligible to take part in the
second term). The election was last held on 22 April and 6 May 2012. The next election will be
held in the spring of 2017). The Prime Minister is appointed by the President.
Election Results:
Francois HOLLANDE elected Nicolas SARKOZY 27.2%
Marine LE PEN 17.9%
First Round: Lean-Luc MELENCHON 11.1%
Francois HOLLANDE 28.6%

Second Round:
Francois BAYROU 9.1% HOLLANDE 51.6%,
Others 6.1%; SARKOZY 48.4%
Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments

Date of Information: 6/26/2012
President Francois HOLLANDE

Prime Minister Jean-Marc AYRAULT
Min. of Agriculture, Agribusiness, & Forestry Stephane LE FOLL
Min. of Culture & Communication Aurelie FILIPPETTI
Min. of Defense Jean-Yves LE DRIAN
Min. of Ecology, Sustainable Development, & Energy Delphine BATHO
Min. of Economic Recovery Arnaud MONTEBOURG
Min. of the Equality of the Territories & Housing Cecile DUFLOT
Min. of Finance, Economy, & Trade Pierre MOSCOVICI
Min. of Foreign Affairs Laurent FABIUS
Min. of Foreign Trade Nicole BRICQ
Min. of Higher Education & Research Genevieve FIORASO
Min. of the Interior Manuel VALLS
Min. of Justice & Keeper of the Seals Christiane TAUBIRA
Min. of Labor, Employment, Professional Development, & Social Dialogue Michel SAPIN
Min. of National Education Vincent PEILLON
Min. of Overseas France Victorin LUREL
Min. of Social Affairs & Health Marisol TOURAINE
Min. of Sports, Youth, Further Education, & Community Outreach Valerie FOURNEYRON
Min. of State Reform, Decentralization, & Civil Service Marylise LEBRANCHU
Min. of Women's Rights & Govt. Spokesperson Najat VALLAUD-BELKACEM
Governor, Bank of France Christian NOYER
Ambassador to the US Francois DELATTRE
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York Gerard ARAUD
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-f/france.html

Political Parties:
Group Leader Parties Total
Union for a Popular Movement (Union Christian UMP, DVD 320

pour un Mouvement Populaire) Jacob
Socialist, Radical, and Citizen Group Jean-Marc PS, PRG, DVG, 204
(Groupe socialiste, radical, et citoyen) Ayrault MRC
Democratic and Republican Jean-Claude PCF, VEC, 24
Left (Gauche démocrate et Sandrier DVG, MIM
républicaine)
New Centre-Presidential François NC-PSLE, 23
Majority (Nouveau Centre-Majorité Sauvadet MAJ, DVD
Présidentielle)
Non-Inscrits MoDem, DLR, 6
MPF
Total 577
Legislative:
The French Parliament is the bicameral legislature of the French Republic. It consists of the
Senate and the National Assembly.
The French Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of France. It is currently under the
Presidency of Jean-Pierre Bel (since 1st October 2011). The senate has 348 senators each elected
to serve for a six-year term. A half of the senate is elected every three years. Up until 2004, there
were 321 seats and the serving term for senators was nine-years and senators were elected in
thirds every three years.4 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Senate
The National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of France. The members
of the National Assembly are known as députés, or delegates. There are 577 députés, each
elected by a single member constituency using a two-rounds system, requiring 289 seats for
majority. The president of the National Assembly is presided over by a president from the party
occupying the majority of the seats. The tenure of the National Assembly is five years. However,
the President may call for new election by dissolving the assembly unless he did so in the

preceding twelve months. This procedure, however, has remained more or less neglected since
the 2000 referendum, the result of which reduced the presidency term from seven years to five
years.
Non inscrits (9)

Socialist Group (left) (295)
- Miscellaneous right (2)
Union for a popular Movement Group (right) (196)
- National Front (2)
Union of Democrats and independents (centre-right) (29)
- Miscellaneous left (1)
Ecologist Group (18)
- MoDem (centre) (1)
Democratic and republican left (far left) (15)
- Arise the Republic (gaullist) (1)
Radical, republican, democrat and progressist (centre-
- Movement for France (conservative) (1)
left) (15)
- Far right (1)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Assembly_of_France,_18_June_2012.svg )
Judiciary Branch:

The Judicial System of France is handled by the Ministry of Justice. The Judges is the country
exercise a power free from the powers of the state. They are under the special statutory
protection from the executive branch. Once appointed, judges cannot be removed without
specific disciplinary proceedings before the Council.
Divided into Ordinary Courts which handle criminal and civil litigation and Administrative
Courts which supervise the government and handle complaints, the French Judiciary is divided
into three tiers:
1. Tribunal d'Instance/ Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI): Inferior courts of original

and general jurisdiction
2. Cour d'Appel or Court of Appeal: Intermediate appellate courts that hear cases on
appeal from lower courts
3. Cour de Cassation, the French Supreme Court Courts of last resort which hear
appeals from the lower appellate courts on the interpretation of law
International organization participation:
ADB (non-regional member), AfDB (non-regional member), Arctic Council (observer),

Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,
ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, FZ, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-
8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD
(partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC
(observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL,
Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNSC (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO,
UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC[3]
Economy

GDP Growth 0.4%

Inflation 2.1%
Budget Balance (% GDP) 3.5
Unemployment 9.1%
Ease of Doing Business 34th
GDP (Purchasing Power $2.214 trillion
Parity)
GDP (Per Capita) $35100
GDP Composition by Agriculture 1.8%, Industry 18.7%, Services
Sector 79.5%
Labour force 29.5 million
Population below poverty 6.2%
line
Investment (gross fixed) 20.1 % of GDP
Revenue 51.8% of GDP
Industrial growth rate 2.4%
Central Bank Discount Rate 1.75%
Stock of narrow money $901.6 billion
Stock of broader money $2.499 trillion
Average net salary €3081
TYPE OF ECONOMY:
With a GDP of 552 billion euros representing 5% part in the European Union’s GDP, France is
the world’s fifth-biggest economy and sixth-biggest exporter. It follows a mixed economy which
had transitioned from an economy which featured widespread government intervention to a type
that is more inclined to market economy and is currently in the heart of Euro-Zone Crisis. Being
the world’s most visited country, it sustains the third largest income in the world from income.
The government has privatized many enterprises, banks as well as insurers, and abandoned its

stakes in big enterprises like Air France, Renault and Thales. Nevertheless, the government still
maintains a strong presence in sectors such as power, public transport and defence. The French
government remains committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social welfare by means
of laws, tax policies and social spending in order to reduce income disparity and the effect of free
market on public health and welfare.
CURRENT STATE OF ECONOMY:
France is the world’s fifth largest economy by nominal figures and ninth largest economy by
PPP figures. France is the home to 39 of the 500 biggest companies of the world including AXA,
Loreal and Air France and ranks 4th in the Fortune Global 500 with its market of 500 million

consumers. The world's fifth largest economy, France is home to 20,000 foreign companies
employing a total of 2 million people, who are responsible for a third of all exports and 22% of
research and development country-wide.
France is the only nation in Europe offering easy access to its neighbours, with over 11,000 km
of motorways, a wide network of TGV trains connecting it to London, Brussels, Amsterdam and
Frankfurt, and a superior network of navigable routes and international airport hubs.
In addition to this, the French work force is highly qualified, having had the benefit of an
education system reputed to be one of the best in the world. It also has low set-up costs including
labour, property, transport, public services and taxes.
List of French régions ranked by GDP total and per capita:
Rank Region GDP GDP per GDP GDP per

(in millions capita (in millions US capita
euros, 2009) (euros, Dollars, 2009) (US Dollars,
2009) 2009)
1 Île-de-France 552,052 51,101 769,705 69,973
2 Rhône-Alpes 181,810 29,420 253,491 41,019
3 Provence-Alpes- 138,002 27,855 192,411 38,837

Côte d'Azur
4 Nord-Pas de Calais 96,839 24,025 135,019 33,497
5 Pays de la Loire 94,032 26,481 131,105 36,921

6 Aquitaine 85,693 26,710 119,478 37,241
7 Brittany 81,632 25,739 113,816 35,887
8 Midi-Pyrénées 76,522 26,628 106,692 37,126
9 Centre 65,173 25,571 90,868 35,653
10 Languedoc- 60,523 22,984 84,385 32,046

Roussillon
11 Lorraine 55,396 23,653 77,237 32,978
12 Alsace 50,701 27,322 70,690 38,094
13 Upper Normandy 48,555 26,599 67,698 37,086
14 Picardy 43,725 22,894 60,964 31,920
15 Poitou-Charentes 42,379 24,046 59,087 33,526
16 Bourgogne 41,805 25,516 58,287 35,576
17 Champagne- 35,779 26,768 49,885 37,322

Ardenne
18 Lower Normandy 34,869 23,737 48,617 33,096
19 Auvergne 33,174 24,680 46,253 34,410

20 Franche-Comté 28,083 24,042 39,155 33,521
21 Limousin 17,509 23,637 24,412 32,956
22 Corsica 7,279 23,800 10,149 33,183
Source : INSEE

RECENT PROBLEMS & RECOVERY:
Following the economic recession in 2009, the real GDP of France had contracted by 2.6% in
2009 but was successful in recovering in 2010 and 2011. Lower than expected growth and
increased unemployment has resulted in the increase of borrowing cost and decrease in national
revenue which contributed to a deterioration of the French economy. The government budget
deficit rose sharply to 7.5% in 2009 and then recovered in 2011 by 5.3% and the public debt also
increased to 86% in the same period. Under President Sarkozy, the French government
implemented austerity measures that eliminated tax credits and froze most government spending
in order to decrease the government deficit. The scope of business has also deteriorated in France
as French firms are burdened with the rigid market m-regulation and as a result of this; it has few
small and medium enterprises which has slowed the job growth of France. Now, over 10% of the
workforce and over 25% of the youth population are jobless. Nevertheless, the foreign
investment has reached 34 billion dollars in 2010 and the hourly output of France is the 4th
highest in Europe. Furthermore, President Hollande has increased taxes on bank’s profits and
introduced high rates of income taxes for people earning over $1 million a year, and has hired
further 60,000 civil servants.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES:
France is one of the most industrialized countries in the world and it has the fifth largest
economy of the world based on the nominal figures. The leading industrial sectors of France are
telecommunication, defence, naval and specialist ships, pharmaceuticals, construction, textile
and automobile production.
France is the world’s leading country in nuclear energy with nuclear energy accounting to 78%

of the nation’s electricity production. It is the world’s second largest agricultural exporter after
United States and its main export destinations are EU member states and poor African nations.
The agricultural sector of France has received almost €11 billion in EU subsidies and produces
high quality agricultural products which are renowned worldwide.
France is also the world’s most popular destination with more than 81.9 million foreign tourists
in 2007. It is the home to cities of rich culture, beaches and rural region that people enjoy for
their beauty and tranquillity. France's leading industries produce machinery, chemicals,
automobiles, metals, aircraft, electronics equipment, textiles, and foods (especially cheeses).
Advanced technology industries are also important. Coal, iron ore, bauxite, and other minerals
are mined.
IMPORTS/EXPORTS:
Exports:
$589.7 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products,
iron and steel, beverages
Exports - partners:
Germany 16.7%, Italy 8.3%, Spain 7.4%, Belgium 7.4%, UK 6.7%, US 5%, Netherlands 4.3%
(2011)
Imports:

$692 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Germany 19.1%, Belgium 11.3%, Italy 7.7%, Netherlands 7.5%, Spain 6.6%, UK 5.1%, China
4.8% (2011)
France is the second-largest trading nation in Europe (after Germany) The principal French
exports to the United States are aircraft and engines, beverages, electrical equipment, chemicals,
cosmetics, luxury products and perfume. France is the ninth-largest trading partner of the U.S.
According to French trade data, U.S. exports accounted for 8.7%--about $25 billion—of France's
total imports.
France also exports a number of valuable commodities including machinery and transportation
equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron, steel, consumer products,
petroleum and cars & vehicles. A major part of this foreign trade is carried out with European
partners including Germany, UK, Spain and Italy. France is the second largest exporter in the
world of both services and farm products. It is justly famous for its cheese, wine, and wheat,
being the world’s leading supplier of quality produce in these areas.

The country is one of the major agricultural powers with almost 25% of the total agricultural
products of the European Union being produced there. The contribution of the agricultural sector
to the country’s GDP is almost 2.5%. The French government provides considerable subsidies to
its agricultural sector so that it may continue to grow and contribute to the country’s GDP, a
development that will further ensure increased export activities.
The manufacturing industry is also a key exporter, contributing nearly 27% to GDP. France’s
phenomenal export growth has been aided by structural reforms initiated by the government that
promote every aspect of foreign trade. It is one of the five largest global exporters of durables.


Military
French Armed Forces:
Service branches Armée de Terre 11,262,661 (2005 est.), age 15–49
Marine Nationale
Fit for military
Armée de l'Air
service
Gendarmerie Nationale
Reaching 389,204 (2005 est.)

Leadership
military
age annually
Commander-in- President François Hollande
Chief
Active personnel 230,628 military personnel
33,745 civilian staff

Minister of Jean-Yves Le Drian
105,389 gendarmerie
Defence
Reserve 70,000 reserves

Chief of staff Admiral Édouard Guillaud
personnel
Manpower
Expenditures
Military age 17 years of age with consent for
Budget €44.788 billion (2010)
voluntary military service (2001)
(this figure excludes the Gendarmerie)
Available for 13,676,509 (2005 est.), age 15–49

Percent of GDP 2.1% (2009
military service

1. French Army
The French Army (Armée de Terre (English: Land Army)) is a land-based

component of the French Armed Forces. It is the largest component of it. The
French Army defends its territory, protects its interests abroad and maintains
global stability. The French Army employs 126,436 military and his component
has been active since the 15th Century.
Type: Army
Size: 142,148 military personnel, 19,545 civilian staff
Nickname: La grande muette "The great mute one"
Motto: Honneur et Patrie "Honour and Fatherland"
2. French Navy
The Marine Nationale (French Navy) is the maritime arm of the French military.
It is one of the world’s oldest naval forces and historically played a major role in
establishing the French Colonial Empire. Its roots can be traced back to 1624.
The Marine Nationale consists of five branches: the Force d'Action Navale, the
Forces Sous-marines, the Aeronavale, the Fusiliers Marins (including
Commandos de Marine) and the Gendarmerie maritime.
The French Navy owns a wide range of fighting vessels including a nuclear-
powered aircraft carrier,nuclear-powered submarines, frigates, patrol boats and
support ships.
The motto of Marine Nationale is Honneur, Patrie, Valeur, Discipline ("Honor,

Fatherland, Valor, and Discipline") and these words are found on the deck of
every ship in the fleet.
3. French Air Force

The French Air Force (French: Armée de l'Air (ALA), literally Army of the Air)
is the air force of the French Armed Forces. IT was originally formed as a service
arm of the French Army in 1909, but was made an independent military arm in
1933.
4. National Gendarmerie
The National Gendarmerie is in charge of public safety with police duties among
the civilian population. It contains a military police force and a special forces
component (GIGN). The Gendarmerie works with the Police Nationale and is
mandated to fulfill national security duties and duties in support of its parent
ministry – Ministry of the Interior.
The President of the Republic is the head of the French armed forces and is the supreme
authority and the sole official who can order a nuclear strike. The President has the title of "Chef
Des Armées" ("Chief of the Military Forces").
PERSONNEL Total Population: 65,312,249
Available Manpower: 28,802,096
Fit for Service: 23,747,168
Of Military Age: 773,889
Active Military: 362,485
Active Reserve: 419,000
AIR POWER Total Aircraft: 1,757
Helicopters: 810

Serviceable Airports: 475
LAND ARMY Total Land Weapons: 10,621
Tanks: 406
APCs / IFVs: 8,468
Towed Artillery: 466
SPGs: 211
MLRSs: 44
Mortars: 550
AT Weapons: 476
AA Weapons: 350
Logistical Vehicles: 13,748
FINANCIAL (USD) Defense Budget: $62,700,000,000
Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $133,100,000,000
Purchasing Power: $2,145,000,000,000
NAVAL POWER Total Navy Ships: 289
Merchant Marine Strength: 167
Major Ports & Terminals: 7
Aircraft Carriers: 1
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 10
Frigates: 23

Patrol Craft: 35
Mine Warfare Craft: 18
Amphibious Assault Craft: 13 [9]
Military branches:
 Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreig n Legion, Army Light
Aviation)
 Navy (Marine Nationale)
 Air Force (Armee de l'Air (AdlA); includes Air Defense) (201 1)
Military service age and obligation :

 17-40 years of age for male and female (voluntary military service; with
parental consent)
 No conscription
 1 year service obligation (Women serve in noncombat posts (2012))
Manpower available for military service :

 Males (Ages 16-49): 14,563,662
 Females (Ages 16-49): 14,238,434 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service :

 Males (Age 16-49): 12,025,341
 Females (Age 16-49): 11,721,827 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually :

 Male: 396,050
 Female: 377,839 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
Country comparison to the world: 54 [10]

Culture
Ethnic groups:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities
Overseas Departments: Black, White, Mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian

Languages:
French (official) 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton,
Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Overseas Departments: French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%
overseas departments: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, pagan
ARTS
Marked by both regional and socio-

economic differences and strong
unifying tendencies, French
culture extends its diversity to
the visual representation of
art. The most important
forms of graphic arts in
France are painting,
sculpture and architecture.
The graphic art forms had
flourished in the nineteenth

century which included famous cave paintings in South-western Europe. In the recent years,
Paris has been organizing epic art exhibitions attracting more than 920,000 visitors providing a
view of famous art works including the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo Da Vinci, housing the single
most visited place in terms of art centres: Louvre. French museums had more than 26 million
visitors in 2011. Major new building projects are under way including the Paris Philharmonic
and Marseille's MuCEM, the Museum of Civilisations from Europe and the Mediterranean. On
paper, the French culture budget has even slightly increased this year, to €2.7bn (£2.3bn) – 1% of
the French state's entire budget. France prided itself on setting up the first real culture ministry
in Europe in 1959 and saw state cultural policy as a way of uniting the nation after the war.
THEATRE
Theatre and dance have a strong tradition in

France which has a classical value and provides
the realm of folk life. As in most of France’s
cultural life, Paris dominates the great traditions
of theatre in France. France’s great artists
include Pierre Corneille, Jean Racine, Victor
Hugo, Jean Anouilh, and Jean Genet. The
Comedie Francaise still showcases the classical
works of Moliere and Racine. Street theatre,
pageants and regional theatrical production
flourish in many provinces. The French cinema is subsidized highly by the government than any
other European movie industries and many French cities hold movie festivals during the year, the

most famous is the Festival De Cannes held in early summer. France is credited to have been the
birthplace of Cinema.
LITERATURE
The French Literature is considered as one of the greatest world traditions and it has flourished
since the renaissance period with works by Francois Rabelais, Michel Eyquem de Montaigne and
Pierre De Ronsard. The nineteenth century literature encompassed the struggle between the
social classes and also established a form of realist writing that projected the various regional
differences and urban-rural splits in France.
RELIGION
France is a secular country where freedom of thought and of religion is preserved, by

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen 1789. Roman Catholic accounts to 83%-88%
of total population, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%,and unaffiliated 4% .France
guarantees freedom of religion as a constitutional right and the government generally respects
this right in practice.
The Roman Catholic Church has always played a significant role in French culture and in French
life. Most French people are Roman Catholic Christians, however many of them are secular but
still place high value on Catholicism.
After the Roman Catholic Church, Islam is the

second largest faith in France and it has the largest
population of Muslims in Europe as a result of
immigration and permanent family settlement in
France, from the 1960s on, of groups from,

principally, North Africa and Turkey and West African countries.
LIFESTYLE
Traditional French cuisine varies by region to region. Cheese and wine are a major part of the
French cuisine, and have great variation in regional levels. French eat only a simple breakfast
meal with tea or coffee served with bread or breakfast pastries like Crepes and croissants. Lunch
and dinner are the main meals which consist of a starter course, salad, main course and a cheese
or dessert course. The French etiquette prohibits placing of hands below the table and placing of
elbow on the table. Being one of the oldest wine producing regions of Europe, France produces
high quality wines which have high value in both domestic and international market.
SPORTS
Sport is administered by the Ministry of Youth

Affairs and Sports. Football is the most popular

sport in France and other sports like: cycling, basketball, tennis, and handball are also
importantly played in France. It is well known for winning the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and had
been runner-up in 2006, third place in 1958 and 1986, and fourth place in 1982.It has also hosted
important sporting events such as the Tour De France and French Open. Sport is also encouraged
in schools and the regional government provide financial aid to the local sports clubs. Other
important sports played in France are Skiing, Fencing, Rugby and professional sailing. France
has many ski resorts in the French Alps and in the Pyrenees and Vosges mountain chains.
Fashion
Paris is the leading capital of

fashion and design. Along
with Milan, London and New York,
Paris is centre of an important
number of fashion shows. Some of
the world's biggest fashion houses
like Chanel have their headquarters
in France.
France renewed its dominance of

the high fashion industry in the
years 1860–1960 through the
establishing of the fashion press like: Vogue and Elle. In the early twentieth century, the industry
expanded through such Parisian fashion houses as the house of Chanel (which first came to
prominence in 1925) and Balenciaga In the 1960s, designers like Yves Saint
Laurent established high fashion customs by launching prêt-à-porter ("ready to wear") lines and
increasing French fashion into mass manufacturing and marketing.[28] Further innovations were

carried out by Paco Rabanne and Pierre Cardin. With a greater focus on marketing and
manufacturing, new trends were established in the 70s and 80s by Sonia Rykiel, Thierry
Mugler, Claude Montana, Jean-Paul Gaultier andChristian Lacroix. The 1990s saw a collection
of many French couture houses under luxury giants and multinationals such as LVMH. Since the
1960s, France's fashion industry has come under increasing competition from London, New
York, Milan and Tokyo, and the French have increasingly adopted foreign fashions such as jeans
and tennis shoes.

Geography
Coordinates: 46°00′N 2°
The main part of France located in Western Europe is called Metropolitan France. France has territories
including French Guiana in South America, the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean
Sea, Mayotte in the Indian Ocean and Reunion in Southern Africa. Metropolitan France is located in
Western Europe. It lies to the southeast of the United Kingdom and stretches from the North Sea and the
English Channel in the north to the Mediterranean Sea in the south and from the Rhine River to the
Atlantic Ocean with Bay of Biscay in the west.
Topography
The topography of Metropolitan France is diverse. It consists of flat plains and rolling hills to the north
and west with Pyrenees mountains in the south and the mountains of Alps to the east.
Highest point: Mount Blanc15,771 feet (4,807 m).
Lowest Point: Rhine River delta -2m
Area
Total area: 674,843 sq km Area includes the whole territory of

French Republic including overseas
territory but excluding disputed
territory in Antarctica.
Metropolitan 551,695 sq km European France only1
France
Metropolitan 543,965 sq km European France only, excluding
France lakes, ponds, glaciers larger than 1 sq
km and estuaries2
1
French National Geographic Institute data
2
French Land Register data

Natural resource:
Coal, iron ore, bausxite, zinc, antimony, , uranium, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar gypsum, timber,
fish
Natural hazards:
Flood, avalanche, windstorm, drought, forest fire, earthquake

Flora and Fauna:
Forests are found in Gascony region. Flora include wild pig, fox, weasel, bat, rodent, rabbit and birds,
bears
Climate of Metropolitan France:
Winters are cool with mild summers while the Mediterranean region has mild winters with hot summers.

UNITED NATIONS POLICY
France was one of the founding member states of the UN when it was created in 1945 and is a
member of the Security Council. It is also a key part in the other main organs of the UN like the
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) where it has been continuously elected since its
creation as well as in the subsidiary organs like the Human Rights Council and is also a
permanent member of the Disarmament Committee.
France is the 5th largest contributor, after the United States, Japan, Germany and the United
Kingdom, providing a 6.3% share of the regular UN budget in 2008. As a permanent member of
the Security Council, France’s contribution to the Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) budget
amounts to 7.51%.
In order to ensure that its actions in these different areas are successful, the Permanent Mission
of France to the United Nations consists of approximately 80 people, including around 30
diplomats and representatives from other ministries (in particular Economy and Finance and
Defense). The Permanent Representative holds a seat in Security Council and in all of the organs
where France is represented (in particular the General Assembly and its different committees and
ECOSOC.

Permanent Representative H.E Gerard Araud
UN REFORM:
The French government recognizes the need to reform the UN System and emphasizes the need
to make the organization more effective .France is resolutely striving for Security Council
reform. It now supports the expansion of the Security Council within the framework of the
negotiations that were initiated at the General Assembly on February 19, 2009. It also supports
the presence of Germany, Brazil, India, Japan as well as African countries as the permanent
member in the Security Council. France would also like a revision of Peacekeeping Operations
(PKOs) to be carried out, with the objective of making them more efficient and more able to
achieve their objectives.
HUMAN RIGHTS:
France has always played a special role with regard to Human Rights. The French jurist René
Cassin (Nobel Peace prize-winner) was one of the main negotiators for the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and it inspired the Universal Declaration of 1948 .Today,

continues to fight to safeguard these rights so that they are respected throughout the world
through the Human Rights Council as well as the Security Council and plays an active part in the
UN Human Rights Council.. It also supports actions to combat impunity to prevent further
abuses of power and helped establish the International Criminal Court; it was one of the first
States to ratify the statute of this court. It has also hosted the International Convention for the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in Paris in which she France was the
initial signatory and then it ratified the convention in 2010. France supports the Human Rights
Council resolutions regarding regions where human rights are seriously violated and also calls
for the universal ratification of conventions that protect human rights
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN:
With regard to the environment and climate change, The European Union and France worked
with the major CO2 emitters to ratify the Kyoto Protocol which was signed in 1997. This
protocol aims to implement the Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted at the Rio
Summit in 1992 and demands that developed countries reduce their CO2 emissions: by 8% for
the period 2008-2012 compared to 1990 for the European Union. It was the first to introduce an
emissions trading scheme for greenhouse gases in order to achieve this goal. France is fully
aware of the numerous challenges posed by climate change and is resolutely committed to
pursuing an environmental and energy transition at the national level. It plans to actively
contribute to the international community’s efforts to tackle climate change.
DEVELOPMENTAL ASSISTANCE:
Official Development Assistance (ODA) is an essential component of French foreign policy.

France made a commitment in Monterey, in 2002, to increase its ODA in order help achieve the
Millennium Goals. These ambitious goals aim in particular, by 2015, to reduce by half the
proportion of the world’s population living in extreme poverty, achieve universal primary

education, and to reduce infant mortality by two thirds. The French government has therefore set
itself the objective of increasing the total amount of its ODA to 0.7% of gross national income
(GNI) by 2015. In addition, France carries out intense diplomatic efforts to promote innovative
international mechanisms capable of generating additional resources to fund development.
France has gained the support of the international community for its proposal to forgive the debt
of the poorest countries.
Every year, France consults with African countries at Africa-France summits, which are now
open to all the countries on the continent. France participates in the multilateral aid programmes
of the United Nations and provides bilateral aid through the French Development Agency (AFD)
which supports more than five hundred projects every year. It focuses in developing
infrastructure, increasing access to health and education and providing assistance to communities
hit by conflict, natural disaster and major pandemics.
DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY:
In the area of peace and security, France plays a key role in terms of disarmament. It has worked
on the development of numerous treaties, most recently for the Convention on the Prohibition of
Cluster Munitions adopted in 2008. It is very involved in actions to enforce the non-proliferation

regime and played a key role in adopting the various resolutions on Iran and North Korea. France
and the United Kingdom were the first two States to ratify the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear-
Test-Ban Treaty) in 1998 and France is striving for its entry into force. France was also the first
State to decide and then take steps to dismantle its installations devoted to the production of
fissile material for nuclear weapons. It supports the resumption of efforts relating to the
negotiation of a Treaty Banning the Production of Fissile Material for Nuclear Weapons. France
signed and ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans “all use, stockpiling,
production and transfer of Cluster Munitions, and has also supported use of nuclear material for
security purpose. It also participated in the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington,
DC and the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit held in Seoul, South Korea.
France has engaged in negotiations with Iran such as the most recent rounds of P5+1 talks over
Iran’s nuclear actions, which France suspects are intended to develop nuclear weapons. France
supported sanctions on Iran to convince it to halt certain activities, particularly uranium
enrichment.
Moreover, it tries to consistently endorse an ambitious and effective role for the United Nations
based on international law and consensus. During the Iraqi crisis in 2003, it therefore opposed
the unilateral use of force and advocated a central role for the United Nations. Its military and
police forces are strongly represented beyond its borders: in 2009 it took part in 10 of the 16
United Nations PKOs, with more than 2500 UN blue helmets deployed on the ground. It also has
a presence within the UNIFL (Lebanon), the UNOCI (Côte d’Ivoire), and MINURCAT (Chad).
In addition to this direct contribution, it makes a major commitment in terms of UN authorized
forces that are not blue helmets, with more than 6500 French soldiers involved in these
operations. It also contributes to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in
Afghanistan. France also led the movement in the UN General Assembly to adopt a convention
against the funding of terrorism and a convention against nuclear terrorism was adopted in 2005

and has also called for the adoption of mechanisms to control arms trafficking, particularly the
small arms and light weapons that cause such human misery in Africa.
Major Multilateral Arms Control Agreements and Treaties:
Signed Ratified
Biological Weapons Convention --- 1984
Chemical Weapons Convention 1993 1995
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty 1996 1998

Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
--- 1992
(NPT)
Conventional Armed Forces in
1981 1988
Europe Treaty
Convention on the Physical
Protection of Nuclear Material 1990 1992
(CPPNM)
CPPNM 2005 Amendment 1967 1970
International Convention for the

Suppression of Acts of Nuclear 1997 1998
Terrorism
---

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France
[2] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fr.html
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_France
[5] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19733992
[6] http://www.indexmundi.com/france/economy_profile.html
[7] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world
factbook/geos/countrytemplate_fr.html
[8] http://www.economist.com/news/21566483-france
[10] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/24/france-arts-revolution
[11] http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/fr
[12] http://www.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/
[13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_France

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Country Profile: French Republic

By: Anouska Shrestha,

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 1

Introduction to the French Republic

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 2

Country: French Repuplic Main exports: Machinery and transport

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 3

Official Name: French Republic

Conventional Short Form: France

Local Long Form: Republique Francaise

Type of Government: Semi-Presidential Constitutional Democratic Republic1 (Fifth Republic)

1. Alsace 14. Ile-de-France,

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 4

Head of State: President of France

Head of Government: Prime Minister of France

President: François Gérard Georges Nicolas Hollande (Socialist Party)

Prime Minister: Jean-Marc Ayrault (Socialist Party)

Foreign Minister: Laurent Fabius (Socialist Party)

Francois HOLLANDE elected Nicolas SARKOZY 27.2%

Marine LE PEN 17.9%

First Round: Lean-Luc MELENCHON 11.1%

Francois HOLLANDE 28.6%

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 5

Francois BAYROU 9.1% HOLLANDE 51.6%,

Others 6.1%; SARKOZY 48.4%

Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments

President Francois HOLLANDE

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 6

Group Leader Parties Total

Union for a Popular Movement (Union Christian UMP, DVD 320

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 7

Non inscrits (9)

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 8

1. Tribunal d'Instance/ Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI): Inferior courts of original

International organization participation:

ADB (non-regional member), AfDB (non-regional member), Arctic Council (observer),

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 9

GDP Growth 0.4%

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 10

CURRENT STATE OF ECONOMY:

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 11

List of French régions ranked by GDP total and per capita:

Rank Region GDP GDP per GDP GDP per

1 Île-de-France 552,052 51,101 769,705 69,973

2 Rhône-Alpes 181,810 29,420 253,491 41,019

3 Provence-Alpes- 138,002 27,855 192,411 38,837

4 Nord-Pas de Calais 96,839 24,025 135,019 33,497

5 Pays de la Loire 94,032 26,481 131,105 36,921

Anouska Shrestha, Kamakshi Kanojia Page 12

6 Aquitaine 85,693 26,710 119,478 37,241

7 Brittany 81,632 25,739 113,816 35,887

8 Midi-Pyrénées 76,522 26,628 106,692 37,126

9 Centre 65,173 25,571 90,868 35,653

10 Languedoc- 60,523 22,984 84,385 32,046

11 Lorraine 55,396 23,653 77,237 32,978

12 Alsace 50,701 27,322 70,690 38,094

13 Upper Normandy 48,555 26,599 67,698 37,086

14 Picardy 43,725 22,894 60,964 31,920

15 Poitou-Charentes 42,379 24,046 59,087 33,526

16 Bourgogne 41,805 25,516 58,287 35,576

17 Champagne- 35,779 26,768 49,885 37,322

18 Lower Normandy 34,869 23,737 48,617 33,096

19 Auvergne 33,174 24,680 46,253 34,410