Transcript Adriene A - Fort Thomas Independent Schools

* Fantastic France
By: Adrienne Adams
What is life like in France?
Even so, rural France is still home to a dwindling generation
of traditional country folk, living life as it used to be; and
the heritage and traditions of the past are being carefully
preserved and even reactivated by younger generations,
often fugitives from city-life. The old France is still alive and
well, in its own way, and still to be found in its villages and
markets, traditions and regional specialties, such as the vast
and very varied choice of French cheeses.
Geography, Climate, and Natural
Resources
France is sometimes referred as the Hexagon.
The terrain is varied from plains to mountains and forests to
farmland.
Mountains stretch along the borders, Spain, Italy, and
Switzerland.
France boasts one of Europe’s highest peaks, Mont Blanc, at
15,771 ft. (4,807 meters)
The Southern climate is Mediterranean, with cool, moist,
winters and hot, dry summers.
The north is temperate and rainy.
Economic data
Frances inflation is low, but high unemployment and budget
deficits are ongoing challenges.
France only has 7 Import partners, Germany, Belgium, Italy,
Netherlands, Spain, UK(England), and China.
Frances GDP per capita is $35,500(2012 est.)
Their GDP growth rate is 0.1%(2012 est.)
Public debt: 89.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$928.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Culture
Ethnic Groups, Celtic and Latin with Teutonic,
Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque
minorities overseas departments: black, white,
mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian.
Languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian,
Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish).
Population-65,630,692 (July 2012 est.) with
only 7 different languages to speak.
The term "France" comes from the Franks and
has had three historical meanings.
France has traditionally been a catholic
country and today approximately 80% of
the population of France ascribe, at least
nominally, to the Catholic religion
Current events
* On May 6, 2012, François Hollander became the first
Socialist to be elected president of France since For The
budget is intended to reduce the annual deficit to 3
percent of gross domestic product in 2013, down from 4.5
percent this year, in line with promises both to Brussels
and to the markets. It places heavy emphasis on new
revenue, like increased corporate and personal taxes,
while freezing total government spending. Ançois
Mitterrand left office in 1995.