World Country Guide

World Country Guide

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FRANCE

France is the largest country in Western Europe and occupies more than about one fifth of the European Union. Bounded on the north by the English Channel (off the British coast) northeast of Belgium and Luxembourg, the east by Germany, Switzerland and Italy, the south by the Mediterranean (with Monaco as a coastal enclave between Nice and Italian border), west by Spain and Andorra, and west by the Atlantic Ocean. The country offers a spectacular variety of scenery, from mountain ranges of the Alps (Mont Blanc to -4807 meters above sea level, which is the highest peak in Western Europe) to the Pyrenees, through the attractive river valleys of the Loire , Rhône and Dordogne and the plains of Normandy and the Atlantic coast. The country has some 2,900 km. landlocked.

Republic since 1792. Head of state: President Nicolas Sarkozy (since May del2007). Head of Government: Prime Minister Francois Fillon (since May 2007).

The official language is French, but there are many regional dialects. Some inhabitants of the French Basque Country, in the southwest, speak Basque as their first language, and the same happens in Britain with Breton.

The country is officially secular but most of the population, approximately 81% is Roman Catholic. There are Muslim, Jewish and Protestant.

The most common form of greeting is the handshake, if you have more confidence with someone can give a kiss on each cheek. For lunch or formal dinner, the host is what gives the signal to start eating. The French practice Guide, which may extend to one or two hours after the meal. The use of informal clothing is widespread. At social events, or when you visit a club or a casino, it is necessary to dress formally. The invitations will specify if required to attend evening dress. On the beaches of topless French practice is very common, but nudity can only be performed in the naturist beaches. Smoking is prohibited in public transport, cinemas and theaters.