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DemographicsFrance's population is about 65 million (fifth largest in Europe) with the dominant ethnic groups being Celtic, Latin with Teutonic, Slavic and North African. Over 80% of the French people are Roman Catholic.France is the second largest country by area in continental Europe, after Ukraine. Farms and forests cover 48 million hectares - 82% - of the total area of mainland France. Two-thirds of the country is made up of mountains and hills with the Alps, Pyrenees, Vosges and Massif Central forming the largest ranges. Mont Blanc in the Alps is the highest mountain in Europe. Paris, the capital city, has about 12 million inhabitants. The other major cities are: Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Toulouse and Strasbourg. EconomyThe currency is the Euro (1 € = 1.61 $ CAD).France is one of the world's major economic powers and is the leading producer and exporter of agriculture in Europe. Wheat, dairy, poultry, beef, pork and wine are the major exports. The country's leading crops are wheat, sugar beets, corn, barley, and potatoes. While agriculture is still one of France's major industries, the economy is relying more on service industries and manufacturing. GDP - US$ 2.117 trillion (euro 1.707 trillion) Inflation - 1.9% (September 2006) Major industries in France are: Aerospace, automotive, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, food and drink, tourism. It is also a major producer of chemical products and textiles. Major trading partners - US and European markets France is the most popular country in the world among tourists, receiving about 75 million visitors a year and has the third largest income in the world from tourism. France's economy has grown more slowly than any other developed country in the world. In 2006, its 2% growth was the worst in Europe. It also has one of the highest unemployment rates - 9.8% - of any European country. Many large companies, banks and insurers have been partially or fully privatized and stakes in Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and defense company Thales have been sold off. But the government still controls key assets such as power, public transport and defense industries - sources of national pride. Social ReformsThere continues to be a strong will towards social equity, with laws protecting workers and high public spending on public health and welfare. Public finances are coming under strain from the pension system and rising healthcare costs and the tax burden is one of the highest in Europe, at nearly 50% of GDP in 2005. Healthcare and education are provided to citizens at no direct cost.Rigid employment laws and the tax burden make it difficult for businesses to compete in an increasingly globalised economy. The 35-hour week introduced by Lionel Jospin's Socialist government in 2000 has been a source of hot debate. It was designed to create new jobs by shortening the time worked by each person from 39 hours. The government has since relaxed the law extending the maximum number of overtime hours allowed per year, acknowledging it has put unfair restrictions on both employees who want to earn more and businesses that want a more flexible workforce. In another attempt to improve employment rates, the government tried to introduce first-job contracts, which made it easier to fire young workers. But following weeks of protests from trades unions and students in spring 2006, President Chirac announced it would be dropped. Those in work enjoy a relatively high standard of living and five weeks' statutory paid holiday. Although frequent strikes and demonstrations have been an effective way of achieving - or objecting to - reform, unions are relatively weak in France. Only 9% of the French workforce, belong to a union, the lowest figure in Europe, compared with Italy at 30%, the UK at 29% and Germany at 27%. State-subsidized childcare is readily available, while tax and travel concessions for families with three children or more have helped to increase what had been a declining birth rate and encouraged women back into the workplace. France can still boast one of Europe's highest rates of female employment. Some 81% of women aged between 25 and 49 are in work, including three-quarters of those with two children. For hundreds of years, artists, writers and philosophers - both French and foreign - have thrived in a nation that prides itself on its cultural heritage. There are now 4.9m immigrants in France and the French Muslim population is estimated to be the largest in western Europe. Religion has to be entirely separate from the state and so there are no state-run faith schools, for example. PassportA valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit France. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.To stay longer than three months, a "long stay" visa is required before traveling to France. This permit must be obtained from the embassy or a consulate of France in Canada prior to departure. |
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