COUNTRY INFORMATION
Official name
French Republic
Capital
Paris
Coordinates
46°00’ N, 2°00’ E
Location
France is located in Western Europe (bordering the Bay of Biscay, English Channel and Mediterranean Sea). France shares borders with Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium on the west and with Spain on the southern-east.
Area
Total area: 547 030 sq km
Land area: 545 630 sq km
Water area: 1 400 sq km
Land boundaries
2 889 km
Coastline
3 427 km
Administrative division
France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions and 4 overseas regions. The country is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 4 overseas departments.
Political system
France is a republic. The President is the chief of state and is elected every five years. Bicameral Parliament consists of Senate and National Assembly. Members of the Parliament are elected every five years.
Population
64 057 790
Ethnic groups
French 83%, Arabs 3%, Italian 2%, Bretons 2%, other 6%
Religions
Catholic 83-88%, Muslim 5-10%, Protestants 2%, other 4%