Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy.
Full Name: French Republic
Area: 547,030 sq km (land: 545,630 sq km, water: 1,400 sq km) - note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions
Population: 64,057,792
note: 62,150,775 in metropolitan France (July 2008 est.)
Capital City: Paris
People: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities
Language: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Religion: Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%
Government Type: Republic
Chief of State President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May 2007)
GDP: $US 2.867 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP per Capita: $US 33,300 (2008 est.)
Inflation: 2.8% (2008 est.)
Unemployment: 7.4% (2008 est.)
Industries: Machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism
Currency: Euro (€ - EUR)
Member of EU: Yes
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