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 the euro in January 2002. At present, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus.

coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, potash, timber, fish

arable land: 33.3%
permanent crops: 2.11%
other: 64.59% (1998 est.)

60,180,529 (July 2003 est.)

Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities

Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%

French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (1980 est.)

Paris

republic

486 (unified by Clovis)

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)