Did you know??

Capital of France

is Paris

Largest City in France

- Paris (2,175,200)

Language French Currency

1 French franc = 100 centimes

Population 56,942,000;

271.1 persons per square mile

Main Religions

Roman Catholicism

Government

Democratic parliamentary republic

Area more than 210,000 square miles includes the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea

Agriculture

Crops apples, apricots, barley, carrots, cauliflower, corn (maize), grapes, green peas, oats, peaches, plums, potatoes, rapeseed, rye, sugar beets, tobacco, tomatoes, wheat.

Livestock

cattle, horses, pigs, poultry, sheep.

Industry

Alcoholic beverages, chemicals, clothing and textiles, electrical machinery, fruits and vegetables, grain, iron and steel, motor vehicles, nonelectrical machinery, nonferrous metals

Interesting Facts about france

Tour de France Every summer more than 100 professional cyclists race in the Tour de France. The race is approximately 2,000 miles long. The race lasts up to three weeks. It is held in July. The route changes from year to year

Famous Landmarks of Paris

Symbols such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter, Montmartre, and the Georges Pompidou Center make Paris one of the most visited places in the world.
Eiffel Tower - France

The Eiffel Tower is probably one of the most famous symbols of France. It was built in 1889 for an exhibition. The tower was thought to be only a temporary structure, although it still stands today. The tower stands 984 feet tall. This is about the height of a 70-story building. Stairs and elevators can be taken to reach three platforms. The Eiffel Tower is a very popular tourist attraction.

Louvre

The Louvre is one of the largest art museums in the world. Some of the paintings exhibited there are from the French artists Monet, Cezanne, and Renoir.

Cathedral of Notre Dame

The Cathedral of Notre Dame is a beautiful church built in the early Gothic style. It is on a small island on the Seine River. The cathedral was started in the 12th century and completed in the 13th century.

French Cuisine

France is known for its fine food. French cooking is thought to be the best in the world. Chefs prepare dishes such as quiche, soufflés, mousse, pâté, croissants, crêpes, and French bread. Many people in France like to drink their hot chocolate from bowls and dip their bread into it.

Bastille Day

On July 14 Bastille Day is celebrated in France. It was set aside in 1880 as a French national holiday. The holiday is celebrated with speeches, firecrackers, and parades.