Ranska

Ranska, known internationally as France, officially the French Republic (République française), is a country in Western Europe with several overseas territories and departments. Metropolitan France occupies the central and western part of the European mainland and shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea, and has diverse landscapes from the Paris Basin to the Alps and Pyrenees. The capital and largest city is Paris.

France operates as a semi-presidential republic under the Fifth Republic, established in 1958. The president is the head of state; the prime minister is the head of government. The bicameral Parliament comprises the National Assembly and the Senate. The country is a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, and the Schengen Area, among other organizations. The currency is the euro.

With a population of about 67 million, France has a diverse society. French is the official language; regional languages and immigrant languages are also spoken. The economy is highly developed, ranking among the largest in the world, with leading industries in aviation, automotive manufacturing, luxury goods, and tourism. France is noted for its cultural heritage, including cuisine, fashion, art, philosophy, and cinema, and has many UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Historically, Gaul and the Frankish kingdoms laid foundations for a centralized state; the French Revolution of 1789 profoundly shaped modern politics. France played a major role in European and world affairs, including colonial expansion and global diplomacy.