France
Brief History
France is one of the world’s oldest countries, and has a long and fascinating history. In 600 BC, a portion of Southern France was settled by the Greek Empire. The Greeks founded Marseille, which is now the oldest city in France. During this same time period, Celtic Gauls were becoming established in other areas of France. The Gauls seized and plundered the city of Rome in 390 BC. Later, the Romans conquered Gaul and it became a part of the Roman Empire until the 4th century. The Franks began to gain prominence during the 4th century. In 768, Charlemagne united the Franks and began to expand the kingdom In 800, Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope. For the next 1000 years, the French Monarchy was a great power in Europe. The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended in 1799. In the 19th century, Napoleon became emperor and conquered most of Europe. He was defeated in 1815, after losing the battle of Waterloo. France joined the Allied Powers during WWI. During WWII, France was occupied by Germany until liberation in 1944.
National Flag
The national flag of France was adopted on February 15, 1794. It is a vertical tricolor of blue, white, and red. The blue symbolizes nobility, white symbolizes clergy, and red represents bourgeois.
Geography
France is located in western Europe and borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Andorra, the Mediterranean Sea, and the English Channel. The physical geography of France is varied. In the west, there are flat plains and rolling hills, but the rest of the country is quite mountainous.
World Land Mass Ranking: 49th
Highest Mountain: Mont Blanc, 4,807 m (15,777 ft)
Longest River: Rhine, 1,234 km (766 mi)
Main Languages
French
France Population: 67.5 million (as of 2020)
Capital City: Paris
Capital City Population: 2.5 million (as of 2022)
Climate
Most of France has a temperate climate with cold winters and mild summers. However, the south and southwest regions of France have a Mediterranean climate. France experiences four seasons in a year.
Key People
Cuisine
France is well known for its cuisine, which has been influenced over time by the surrounding countries of Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany. French cuisine varies by region, and many different French meals have gained international recognition. Some famous French foods include crepes, macarons, wine, cheese, baguettes, and croissants. The national dish of France is Pot-au-Feu, which is made up of boiled beef and vegetables.
Sports
Sport is an important French pastime. Like many other countries, the most popular sport in France is football. Other common sports include rugby, horse racing, sailing, motor racing, tennis, and skiing. Cycling is also a popular sport in France. The Tour de France is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race held primarily in France. It started in 1903, and is the world’s biggest spectator sports event.
Culture
France has a rich culture that has been shaped by its geography and historical events. Religion, art, music, theater, and literature are all important aspects of French culture. France’s capital, Paris, has been a center of high culture since the 17th century. Paris is known for its museums and galleries, cuisine, architecture, and fashion.
10 facts about France
1. France is the largest country in the European Union.
2. It’s bad luck to turn a baguette upside down in France.
3.The French coastline is 3,227 km long.
4. The average French citizen eats 500 snails each year.
5. France is the world’s most popular tourist destination.
6. The Gallic Rooster is France’s national animal.
7. Due to its shape, France is known as “The Hexagon.
8. France produces around 1.7 million tons of cheese each year.
9. France was the first country to introduce license plates.
10. France has won the most Nobel prizes for literature.
Q&A Corner
