France : Country overview

Geography

• Full country name: French Republic. Includes mainland France and the island of Corsica, as well as the overseas territories of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion.
• Population: 62.3 million
• Border countries: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland
• Climate: climate in the North and North West is similar to that of Britain; climate in the South is Mediterranean; Central and Eastern France has a more continental climate; mountainous regions are colder and wetter and have more snow in winter (BBC Weather Country Guides: France ).
• Terrain: mainly flat plains and hills with mountainous zones in the east and south west.
• Natural hazards: flooding, storms, avalanches, forest fires.

Living in France

• Cost of living: compared with the UK, property and wine cost less but on average the cost of living is similar. See the EURES - European Job Mobility Portal  (Living and Working in France) for more information on the cost of living in France.
• Utilities: slightly cheaper than in the UK.
• Internet domain: .fr
• Health: high standard of health and wellbeing. France has one of the best healthcare systems in Europe.
• Laws and customs: Since 1905, with the introduction of the concept of ‘laïcité’ (secularism), no religion has any legal status in France or any role in public life. See publications such as Live and Work in France and Living and Working in France: Chez Vous en France for more information on customs, laws and the way of life in France.

Economy and finance

• Currency: Euro (€)
• Type of economy:  Western capitalist
• Health of economy: similar to most EU states
• Unemployment rate: 10.1% (Eurostat, Feb 2010)
• Main exports: machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, agricultural products, including wine

Culture

• People:  French or French with heritage of one of the following groups: Flemish, Catalan, German, Armenian, Roma, Russian, or Polish. Minority groups include Algerian, Portuguese, Moroccan, Italian, Spaniard, Tunisian and Turkish.
• Major religion: France is constitutionally a secular country, but the strongest religion has historically been Christian.
• History: See BBC Timeline: France .
• Local etiquette:  the usual form of greeting is a handshake, although friends usually greet each other with a kiss on either cheek. Only use someone’s first name when invited to. See the Rough Guides (France) for more information on French culture and etiquette.

Politics

• Type of government: France is a democratic republic with two legislative houses of Parliament - the Senate and the National Assembly.
• Major political parties: Union for a Popular Movement, New Centre, Socialist Party, Left Radical Party, Citizens' Republican Movement, French Communist Party, The Greens, Democratic Movement, Movement for France, National Front, New Anti-Capitalist Party, Workers' Struggle.

Travel advice

Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.