France at the forefront of Europe

France was and still is one in the powerful countries in Europe. Via its history, its political position, the economic system and not last the tradition in culture, France is what we see these days.

With a population of 60 million of which 76% is urban population. Most from the population practices Catholicism (about 90%) as religion, whilst other well-known religions consist of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Regarding the political system, France is really a Republic which Constitution dates from 1958. The President of your Republic could be the Head of State, chief with the Armies and has an executive energy. He's elected for a seven-year term (5 year phrase from 2002 on) by immediate universal suffrage. He is entitled to dissolve the Assembly and call for early elections. He appoints the Prime Minister, who represents the parliamentary majority. As for the legislative energy, the Parliament is composed of your National Assembly (577 members elected for five years by direct universal suffrage) and also the Senate (321 members elected for a nine-year time period)!!! The right to vote is granted from the age of 18. Since 1982, France decentralised part of its electrical power to Regions and Departments. President with the Republic: Jacques Chirac elected in 1995 and re-elected in Might 2002. Prime Minister: Dominique de Villepin.

France is European Union's largest agricultural power, of which it offers nearly a fourth of its production, and will be the second largest agricultural electrical power inside the earth (behind the USA)! Agricultural activity benefits from huge subsidies, specifically European subsidies. Wheat, corn, meat and wine are the primary productions. The manufacturing industry is diversified, but the nation is going as a result of a desindustrialisation procedure, traduced by numerous relocations. The key industrial sectors are cars, personal computer, telecommunications and electronics. France would be the first tourist destination world-wide: than 75.3 million tourists visited France in 2005.

The French economic system is really open to foreign trade of goods. The nation ranks second in Europe for its foreign trade behind Germany, and is the eighth planet destination for foreign immediate investments (FDI)! France's top 3 import partners are Germany, Italy and Spain. Its top three export partners are Germany, Spain and UK. France mainly imports vehicles, machinery and consumer goods. From January the 1st 2002, the currency in circulation will be the euro.

France is noted for its cosmopolitan, civilized approach to life, combined with excellent concern for style, fashion and appearances. French men and women are sometimes perceived as taking a fantastic pride within the national identity and positive achievements of France, even though a lot of French individuals would argue that people today of all nations tend to do that.