France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country in Western Europe. It shares land borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra and Spain, and has coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Metropolitan France covers about 551,700 square kilometers, with Paris as the capital. The population is about 67 million, and the French language is the official language, with regional languages and minority languages recognized in various contexts.

France operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic under the 1958 constitution (Fifth Republic). The President, elected by popular vote, serves as head of state; the Prime Minister heads government. The Parliament consists of the National Assembly and the Senate. Administratively, the country is divided into 18 regions in metropolitan France and numerous overseas territories.

France has a highly developed, diversified economy, a founding member of the European Union and the eurozone. Key sectors include services, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, agriculture, and tourism. Nuclear power provides a substantial share of electricity. The country is known for its cultural heritage, cuisine, fashion, cinema, and tourism, with many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

France has a long history from ancient Gaul through the medieval kingdom, the French Revolution of 1789, the Napoleonic era, and the establishment of the modern republics. It played a leading role in European integration and is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Its overseas territories extend its influence beyond Europe, across several continents.