| Throughout history, France has always played | | | | and Latin for strong influences of Teutonic, |
| a pivotal role in Europe. From Art to | | | | Slavic, North African, Sub-Saharan African, |
| Politics to Architecture, it is a fascinating | | | | Indochinese and Basque minorities. The strong |
| place. Here is some background information to | | | | minority base is due to two facts, a lax |
| consider before your trip.The official name | | | | immigration policy and the migration of |
| of the country is the French Republic. The | | | | peoples from former colonies of France during |
| French Republic covers an area of 220,668 | | | | its more imperial periods.Despite the massive |
| square miles. This makes it the largest | | | | immigrant influx over time, France is a |
| country in Western Europe, which is about 80 | | | | largely uniform religious society. Over 90 |
| percent the size of Texas for comparison | | | | percent of all French claim the Roman |
| purposes. The capital of France is Paris. | | | | Catholic faith as their religion of choice. |
| Other major cities of note include the port | | | | Strong Muslim population sectors, however, |
| city of Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, | | | | exist and are growing rapidly through |
| Strasbourg, Nice, Rennes, Lille and Bordeaux | | | | immigration. The official language of the |
| in the famous wine region of the same name. | | | | country is French and it is also the dominant |
| If you have ever watched the Tour de France, | | | | language used in daily life. The literacy |
| you know the terrain in France varies from | | | | rate for France is over 99 percent, which |
| majestic mountain peaks to flat plains to | | | | makes sense given the free, compulsory |
| beautiful coast line along the southern and | | | | education system.As this overview of France |
| western borders of the country. This gives | | | | demonstrates, it has played a major role in |
| the country various climatic conditions | | | | European history. This makes it a great |
| ranging from very cool in the mountain areas | | | | travel destination since much of the country |
| to downright hot in the southern beach | | | | has historical value, which you can |
| locations such as Nice.Citizens of the French | | | | experience by just walking down the |
| Republic are designated with the name French. | | | | street.Richard Monk is with - a site with |
| The total population exceeds 62.4 million | | | | facts about everything. Visit us to read more |
| with a strong annual growth rate of over 2 | | | | about country facts and facts about France. |
| percent. Ethnicity is broken down as Celtic | | | | |