2. France Quick Facts
• Population: 68 million
• Capital: Paris
• Currency: Euro
• Language: French
• Government: Republic
• Religion: Roman Catholic with Protestant, Jewish and
Muslim minority.
• Life Expectancy: 79 years
3. France’s Past
• Known as Gaul when the Romans conquered it in the first century B.C.
• Was under the Romans for over 500 hundred years.
• Gauls were strongly influenced by cultural convergence, adopting the Romans’ Latin
Language and Christian religion.
• As Roman Empire declined, the Franks, who France is named after, conquered the region
under Charlemagne.
• Hugh Capet took over in 987 and the empire grew stronger., expanding the borders of France
to almost what they are today.
• Then, the monarchy came to an end in 1789 during the French Revolution.
4. Language and Culture
• French is the national language.
• Several dialects are still spoken around the country.
• French Academy was established in 1635 to preserve the language, and new words
have to be approved by it in order to be published in dictionaries.
• French people take pride in the arts, such as clothing styles and Impressionism.
• Paris is the cultural center, known for its theaters, ballets, operas, orchestras, and
cinemas.
5. Government and Economy
• Recently, the French Government has taken different
approaches at stimulating its economy.
• Its nationalized and privatized businesses vital to national
interests to promote economic growth .
• Went through a recession in the 1990s and 2000s.
• By 2004, economic growth was back, but unemployment was
still at 10%.
6. Physical Characteristics
• Called a “hexagon” because it is roughly six-sided.
• Water borders three sides of it while mountains border two sides.
• Only low hills and flat, wide plains provide an easy passage into
neighboring countries.
• The Alps provide a natural border between France and Italy while the Jura
Mountains provide a barrier between France and Switzerland.
• In Southern France lies the Massif Central, where there is poor soil.
• Despite the poor soil, there are some crops grown in the Massif Central
and there is some industry.
7. Customs and Traditions
• Men and women hug each other as a sign of good acquaintance.
• French people keep their arms on the table while eating.
• They behead champagne bottles at weddings.
• Customs and traditions in France is inseparably linked with July 14th, the
day when Bastille Fort was overrun by the French proletariats.
