France is a country in western Europe, bordering countries like Belgium, Spain, Italy, and the English Channel. Its capital and largest city is Paris. France uses the euro as currency and French is the official language. Some key facts about France include its government as a democratic republic, membership in the European Union, and economy as the fifth largest in the world. French culture has significantly influenced art, architecture, literature, fashion, cinema, and cuisine globally.

1. Around the world in eighty days France

2. Location /map/capital. France is a country in western Europe,bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel between Belgium and Spain and bordering the Mediterranean sea between Italy and Spain. Capital of France : Paris.

3. Map of France

4. Flag

5. Flag /National anthem/Official language / Currency National anthem: la Marseillaise Official language: French Currency: Euro.

6. France Currency

7. Geography Mountain ranges: The Pyrenees Massif central The Alps Some important rivers: Rhine/Rhin The Seine Rhone

8. Climate North and northwest : temperate climate . South-east : oceanic with a high level of rainfall ,mild winters and cool to warm summers. Inland : continental with hot,stormy summers colder winters and less rain . The alps: alpine

9. Politics Government : Democratic republic President of the Republic : Nicolas Sarkozy (head of state). Prime minister: François Fillon (head of government).

10. Key historical event The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period of political and social radical change in the history.

11. Economy (industry,science, technology,resources… Member of the EC. The European Union. A member of the G8 group of leading industrialised countries, it is the fifth largest economy.

12. RELIGION

13. Culture Architecture Important gothic cathedrals and churches: Saint Denis basilica Noltre-dame de Paris Other important buildings and monuments: The Palace of Versailles The arc de triomphe The Eiffel tower

14. Painting Art museum The Louvre in Paris is one of the most famous and the largest art museums in the world and it holds a vast amount of art of French and other artists,e.g.The Mona Lisa by leonardo da vinci .

15. Literature Moliere Voltaire Denis diderot Jean jacques rousseau Charles perrault …

16. Music Classical music legendary composers., like Frederico Chopin . Legendary French singers like Edith Piaf : La vie en rose. Modern pop music : French hip hop, French rock,techno,funk…

17. Cinema In the late 19 th century , Auguste and Louis Lumiere invented the cinematigraphe. French movie stars of the 1960s and 70s are Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, Jeanne Moreau……

18. Education The French educational system is highly centralized, organized,and ramified. It is divided into three different stages: Primary education Secondary education Higher education.

19. Folklore, National symbols, Traditions The traditional emblem of France was the fleur de lis . Marianne is a symbol of the French republic and the republic and it first appeared at the times of the French Revolution.

20. FASHION Fashion is an important industry and cultural export of france. Today , Paris along with Tokyo ,London, Milan and New York city , is considered one of the world fashion capitals . Historically,many of the world´s top designers and fashion houses have been French , including Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Lanvi,Chloe,Hermes, Guy Laroche, Yves Saint Laurent…

21. Sport Football, rugby, basketball, hanDball, cycling , sport car, tennis , sailing.

22. Cuisine Cheese , wine, breakfast pastries (croissant) , crêpe, foie gras , omelette .