General characteristics of France briefly. Description and attractions of France. The peoples of France today

France is the largest European state, it covers an area of ​​550,000 km2. It also includes the largest Mediterranean island, Corsica. At the same time, the population is significantly smaller than in neighboring Germany - only 62 million people. The form of government is mixed, with a balance of rights between the president and Parliament.
Geographical position France can be called profitable economically and in terms of tourism. There are exits to both the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Biscay. Land boundaries states in the south are in contact with Spain and Andorra, in the east with Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany.
French Republic is a multinational country, although its political vocabulary does not have this characteristic. Residents of the country believe that if a person has citizenship, then he is French and nothing else, so there is no information about ethnic statistics in the country. The country occupies a leading position in the birth rate in Europe, based on this, the population of the most major cities amounts to the following:
Capital Paris – 11.2 million.
Lyon – 1.7 million
Marseille – 1.65 million
Lille – 1.23 million
Western and Northern part The country is occupied by plains and plateaus, the central and eastern - by mountains of medium altitude. The southwest and southeast are the Pyrenees and the Alps. The highest point in Western Europe, Mont Blanc, is located here.
The country's climatic conditions practically exclude negative temperatures. The Mediterranean coast is characterized by rainy winters and fairly dry and hot summers. In the northeast it is temperate continental with warm winter months, practically without frost. The central and western regions are distinguished by maritime climatic conditions with warm winters, characterized by high humidity and rain.
Stay in this amazing country will allow us to partially understand the main facets of the republic. Excursions to numerous historical places reveals a past that necessarily affects neighboring countries. You can feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and the heyday by walking along the corridors of ancient palaces or other architectural structures that time.

Customs regulations import of alcohol, cigarettes and products into France for individuals in 2020. How much wine can be taken out of the country? Rules for entering France with dogs and other pets.

A message about France for grades 3, 4, will tell you about the amazing homeland of Napoleon, Little Prince and The Three Musketeers.

Brief message about France

The report about France should begin with the fact that it is located in western Europe. It also includes the island of Corsica, located in the Mediterranean Sea. France is often called the Hexagon due to its hexagonal shape.

France borders Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg in the northeast, Italy and Monaco in the southeast, and Andorra and Spain in the southwest. The country is washed by the Mediterranean and North Seas, the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel and Pas de Calais.

France Square- 551 thousand km 2.

Largest rivers France- Seine, Loire, Rhone, Garonne and Rhine.

Capital of France— Paris

Big cities in France— Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice

Population of France— 66.7 million people (2016)

Form of government- presidential-parliamentary republic

The territory of France is mainly hilly, with extensive hills, lowlands and mid-altitude mountains. The exceptions are two high mountain ranges in the southeast in the form of the Alps and in the southwest in the form of the Pyrenees. Highest point country - Mont Blanc, its height is 4807 m.

The climate is entirely dependent on the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. In the north climatic conditions milder, wetter and maritime, while in the south the climate is warm and Mediterranean. The climate in the mountains is characterized by low temperatures. There is more rainfall here. Snow cover remains at high altitudes.

All over the world they know that French wines are the best in the world. France has also become famous for its fashionable clothing, perfumes and cosmetics. France is rightfully considered the fashion capital of the world.

Today, in all countries, people use planes, carriages and cars (Citroen, Peugeot and Renault) made in France.

Religion of France

Approximately 4/5 of the country's population professes Catholicism. About 12% of the population consider themselves atheists. 3% of the population profess Islam, 2% Protestantism, 1% Judaism.

Sights of France

In France, more than 5 thousand castles have been preserved from ancient times.

Notre Dame, Disneyland, Fontainebleau Forest, Sacré-Coeur Basilica, swap meet in Paris Saint-Ouen, the Rouen naval armada, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles Palace, the Louvre, the Pompidou Center, Notre Dame Cathedral are all tourists want to visit.

Famous Frenchmen glorified their country throughout the world - Honore de Balzac, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, Emile Zola, Albert Camus, Stendhal, Jacques Cousteau, Pablo Picasso and others.

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The weather in France is determined by several climate zones. In the west of the country, due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, summers are rainy and cool, and winters are mild and wet.

In the central part of the country, summers are hotter, winters are colder, in Lorraine and Alsace the temperature often drops below zero, and in Strasbourg and Nancy there are severe frosts.

The Mediterranean climate of the south provides warm winter with above-zero temperatures and sultry summers, when the air warms up to +30 degrees and above. The Velvet season on Cote d'Azur- August and September, the sweltering heat of July has already receded, and the water in the sea is the warmest. Excursions will be more comfortable in April and May, or September-October.

The country's topography is predominantly flat; the Pyrenees mountains in the south of the country and the Alps in the southeast serve as the natural borders of France. Large navigable rivers flow through the country: Garonne, Loire, Seine. About a third of the country's territory is occupied by forests; oak, hazel, cork, and spruce grow in the north.

On South Russian tourist will be glad to see palm trees and tangerine plantations.

In the sea waters near the borders of France there are cod, herring, tuna, flounder, and mackerel.

The country's fauna is represented by wolves, bears, foxes, badgers, deer, hares, squirrels; snakes and mountain goats are found in the mountains. Birds - the familiar pigeon, pheasant, hawk, thrush, magpie, snipe.

Shopping

No one manages to return from France without shopping. Shopping in a country recognized as the birthplace of chic and elegance is a special pleasure. France is the center of fashion, winemaking, perfumery, cooking and cosmetics; here you want to buy everything at once.

But you shouldn't shop at tourist centers. It makes more sense to visit the larger ones shopping malls or department stores.

Clothing stores with affordable prices - Naf Naf, Kookai, Cote a Cote, C&A, Morgan, shoes - Andre.

Excellent edible French gifts for loved ones and friends would be wine, cognac, gift sets of cheeses, and macaroons. Traditional souvenirs and shopping - image Eiffel Tower on magnets, key rings, decorative panels; berets and silk scarves; crystal products from Baccarat or glass from Brea.

Connoisseurs of fine aromas go to the town of Grasse, not far from Cannes, where the world-famous Fragonard perfume factory with a 400-year history is located, producing fragrant oils for perfumes. The factory hosts excursions during which those interested can purchase fine perfumes, fragrant soaps and other aromatic products.

Limoges, the capital of the Limousin province, is famous for its carpets and high-quality porcelain.


Sales held in France are popular when the original cost of goods is significantly reduced. Twice a year, usually on the second Wednesday of January and the last Wednesday of June, prices plummet by 40-70%. This feast for shopaholics lasts about 5 weeks. During the rest of the year, large sales are not allowed in France.

France allows non-residents to return up to 20.6% VAT (33% on luxury goods). Refund conditions: purchase of goods in the same store in the amount of 185 € to 300 €, depending on the store; registration when purchasing a border (inventory for export); leaving the EU within three months after the purchase. On the day of departure from France, you must present the purchased goods and border at the customs point. You will receive the money when you return home via credit card transfer or check in the mail. This can also be done at the airport at an authorized bank or kiosk Tax Free for tourists.

In large cities, stores are open from 10.00 to 19.00. except Sunday. Provincial stores are usually closed on Monday. There is a lunch break here - from 12.00 to 14.00, or from 13.00 to 15.00.

Grocery stores and bakeries are open in the mornings on weekends and holidays.

Kitchen and food

The French are unsurpassed gourmets, their cuisine is one of the most refined and beloved in the whole world. A French chef is a priori considered a virtuoso of the culinary arts; he will always add something of his own to a standard recipe, playing with it in such a way that you will forever remember the taste and aroma of the dish.

Each region of France is famous for its distinctive dishes. Normandy cheese and Calvados brought this region worldwide fame. Brittany will offer the traveler pancakes made from buckwheat flour stuffed with cheese, meat or eggs; in Toulouse you will try beans baked in a pot; in the southwest of the country you will enjoy goose liver pate - foie gras. You will appreciate one of the traditional French dishes - fish and seaweed soup bouibesse - in Marseille. In Rouen, you will delight in Andouille sausages and roast duck. In Le Havre you can pay tribute to excellent biscuits, and in Honfleur - omelettes and snails in wine sauce. Despite regional differences, all second courses are always accompanied by a side dish of vegetables and root vegetables - artichokes, asparagus, lettuce, beans, eggplant, peppers, spinach. And, of course, every meal is accompanied by the famous delicious French sauces, of which there are up to 3,000 recipes.

An integral part of local cuisine various seafood - oysters, lobsters, lobsters. At oyster farms in the south of France, at a price of 8 € per dozen, you will be offered the most delicious, juicy and fresh shellfish, and so that you can appreciate their specific taste, they will be served with bread and butter, lemon and a certain type of white wine.

The calling card of France is cheese; there are more than 1,500 varieties of it. Hard and soft, cow, sheep, goat, aged and moldy - French cheese is always of the highest quality and with a delicious taste.

Popular are omelettes and cheese soufflés, which are prepared with various fillings and seasonings: herbs, ham, mushrooms.

An iconic dish of French cuisine is onion soup. It has nothing in common with boiled onions, as many imagine who have not tried this wonderful dish. This is a thick, aromatic soup in meat broth with croutons baked in cheese and aromatic seasonings.

The first course in France is traditionally a puree soup made from all kinds of vegetables.

For dessert, you will be offered open-faced fruit or berry cakes, the famous creme brulee - cream baked with a caramel crust, soufflé and, of course, the famous croissants.

IN southern regions Each meal is accompanied by a glass of table wine. In the north and in big cities Many people prefer beer. Popular strong drinks are Calvados, cognac, absinthe.

In many establishments, eating and drinking at the counter (au comptoir) is cheaper than at a table (a salle), you will understand this from the prices on the menu. Meals at outdoor tables are 20% more expensive than indoors.

Lunch in cafes and restaurants lasts from 12.00 to 15.00, dinner from 19.00 to 23.00. A set meal (menu of the day) in Chinese establishments costs 10€, in cafes from 19€, in restaurants 30€.

The food bill often states service compris, which means that the cost of service is already included. If there is no such inscription, then the waiter needs to be thanked with an amount of 5-10% of the bill.

Unfortunately, tourists are often shortchanged, so check your bill before paying.

Helpful information

To visit France, Russian citizens will need a Schengen visa.

The official currency of the country is the euro.


Capital banks are closed on weekends and holidays, and on weekdays they are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Banks in the province are open from Tuesday to Saturday. Exchange offices will serve you any day except Sunday.

The amount of imported and exported currency is not limited, but amounts over €7,500 (or other monetary equivalent) must be declared. The most favorable exchange rate is at Bank de Franct and at points with a No commission sign.

If you have converted any currency into euros, then a reverse exchange is possible only for an amount of 800 €. For exchanging dollars into euros, a large commission is charged - from 8 to 15%.

It is allowed to import into the country 1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 liters of wine, no more than 200 cigarettes, 500 grams of coffee, 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml eau de toilette, 2 kg of fish and 1 kg of meat. All food products must have an expiration date on them. If you are bringing medications with you, it is advisable to have a prescription. Personal jewelry weighing up to 500 grams is not indicated in the declaration, but if the weight of jewelry exceeds this norm, all jewelry must be declared.


It is prohibited to export items of cultural and historical value without special permission, pornographic publications, weapons, ammunition, and drugs. You cannot export endangered species of animals and plants.

Electricity in France is standard - 220 volts, European-style sockets.

Museums in France are closed on Mondays. National museums do not work on Tuesdays.

Time in France is 2 hours behind Moscow.

Accommodation

Like all Western European countries, France has adopted a five-star service rating system. In any, even the most modest hotel, you will be provided with a standard set of services and decent service. An average “three” will cost from 40 to 100 € per night, depending on the region and proximity to attractions.

Guesthouses are popular in the country, often found in rural areas or small towns. It's perfect and inexpensive place for family holidays.

Lovers of antiquity and exoticism can choose grand hotels located in former palaces And ancient castles. Exquisite interiors and food from the best French restaurants will make you feel like a real aristocrat.

Bed and breakfast B&Bs are ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

Students can stay in youth hotels or university dormitories, but a room here must be booked in advance.

Tourists traveling by car can stay in comfortable campsites, which are necessarily equipped with a shower, laundry, and some have a cafe, swimming pool and bicycle rental.

Connection

There are countless payphones in France, which you can use by purchasing a Telecarte card at the post office or any tobacco kiosk. Payphones that accept coins - point-phones - have also been preserved. If you need to call home, dial 00, then the country code (Russia code 7), the desired city code and the subscriber's phone number.

Emergency telephone numbers:

  • Ambulance - 15
  • Fire service - 18
  • Pan-European Rescue Service - 112

You will receive any necessary information by calling reference number 12. Help Desk in Russian - 01-40-07-01-65.

Wi-Fi points are everywhere - on the streets, in cafes, bars, post offices, and transport stations.

Transport

France has well-developed air and rail connections. High speed trains Although not cheap, they are very comfortable and save a lot of time. If you plan to travel by train a lot, purchase an InterRail pass, which gives you unlimited travel.

Local taxis have two tariffs - A (0.61 €/km) valid from 7 am to 7 pm from Monday to Saturday, tariff B (3 €/km) - at night and on weekends and holidays. There is a separate charge for boarding a taxi - 2.5 € and each piece of luggage - 1 €. Taxis are found at special stands or ordered by phone.

Public transport is efficient, in particular buses and trams. The schedule is strictly observed, all equipment is modern and convenient.

Renting a car will cost from 50 € per day; the driver must be over 21 years old and have more than a year of driving experience. To register a lease, you will need international rights and credit card, on which a certain amount is blocked as collateral, usually 300 €. The most budget companies for car rental - easyCar and Sixti.

Safety and rules of conduct

The rate of violent crime in France is relatively low, but theft of personal property is high. Be especially vigilant in places where there is a large concentration of pickpockets - at the airport, in public transport, in museums, in crowded places near attractions. It is recommended to leave large amounts of cash and valuables in the hotel safe. If you are traveling by car, do not put things on the front seat. It is dangerous to carry bags over your shoulder - they can be snatched by thieves riding high-speed motorcycles.

The sleeping areas are safe at all times, except for some, and are inhabited mainly by people from Africa and Arab countries.

It would be very helpful to learn at least a few frequently used words in English before your trip. French. Most French people are sure that a decent foreigner should be able to communicate in their native dialect. There are often cases when local residents they demonstratively do not understand the English speech addressed to them.

There are always a lot of police on the streets. They will always come to the aid of a traveler suffering from an attack of topographical inferiority.

The country has introduced a strict ban on smoking in public places.

How to get there


There are several flights to Paris every day from Moscow, St. Petersburg and major Russian cities. international Airport Charles de Gaulle is located 25 kilometers from Paris; in 45 minutes and 30 € you can reach the French capital. A more economical way is by train or bus.

Traveling by train will be more expensive and will take two days. In addition, you will have to travel with a transfer in Germany or Belgium.

There are many inexpensive ones, up to 80€, bus routes to France, but such a trip is not very comfortable, in addition, crossing the borders of Belarus, Poland and Germany can take a lot of time.

The most big country Europe's territory is France. Its area is 551 thousand square meters. km. belongs to France large island in the Mediterranean Sea - Corsica. France also has distant, overseas possessions. The largest and most famous is the island of Tahiti.

But its population is not small - 61.1 million people; however, in this respect, France is significantly inferior to, for example, Germany (82 million inhabitants).

The capital of France is the city of Paris on the Seine River. This Big city with a population of 10 million people (note that almost every sixth Frenchman lives in Paris). There are famous historical and architectural monuments here: Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame), the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Palace Museum and many others.

Paris is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is located in the center of the historical region of Ile-de-France. This is where the unification of French lands began in the past.

Western and northern regions France - plains and lowlands; in the center and east there are mountains of medium height (Massif Central, Vosges, Jura). In the southwest are the Pyrenees, in the southeast are the Alps. French territory contains the highest Mountain peak France and Western Europe- Mont Blanc.

The climate of France is very favorable. Everywhere, even slight negative temperatures in winter are considered rare. On the Mediterranean coast there is a subtropical, Mediterranean climate. Olive trees are growing. Vegetables and potatoes, wheat, and corn are grown everywhere. Grapes can be grown almost everywhere (except relatively northern Normandy), and is especially famous for them historical region Burgundy. Livestock farming is highly developed. Forests have also been preserved in France. In this respect, France is unique for Western Europe - forests occupy up to a quarter of its territory.

France is a country with highly developed industry. It is a space power with its own spaceport in Oceania and Ariane rockets. Many industries are well developed, but the automotive industry (Renault and Peugeot companies), aircraft manufacturing and light industry, that is, the production of fashionable clothing, are of particular importance for the country. The French are famous everywhere for their culinary art. Many cities are famous for their food.

The history of France dates back to the tribes of the Gauls (Celts), who settled it many centuries BC. Even now France is sometimes called Gaul. Gaul was conquered by Ancient Rome. After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Germanic tribes of the Franks came here and mixed with the Gauls. The Franks were ruled by kings. King Charlemagne united most of Europe in the 8th century, and after his death this huge empire fell apart. The descendants of Charlemagne began to rule France. In the 10th century, the Carolingian family to which they belonged was extinguished. A new king, Hugh Capet, was elected. Paris became the capital.

The Capetians ruled the country until the Great French Revolution of 1789. After the revolution, France became a republic. But very soon the talented and ambitious general Napoleon Bonaparte seized power. He achieved resounding military victories, conquered almost all of Europe, and proclaimed himself emperor. But after his defeat in Russia he was overthrown. France did not remain a monarchy for long and restored the republic.

During World War II, France was occupied by Nazi Germany. But the French could not submit; A Resistance Movement arose, led by Charles de Gaulle, who was elected president after the liberation of France.

France is part of the European Union. The head of state is President Francois Hollande.

Official language- French. The monetary unit is the euro.

The French Republic is a state in Western Europe. The capital is the city of Paris.

Population: 64.7 million people (January 2010), including about 90 percent French citizens. Believers are predominantly Catholic (over 76 percent)

The head of state is the president.

Population density is approximately equal to the European average - a little more than 100 people/km 2 .

The biggest country Foreign Europe(550 thousand km 2 ).

Geographical position

Most of France is located in Western Europe, its mainland borders on Belgium in the north, Luxembourg and Germany in the northeast, Switzerland in the east, Monaco and Italy in the southeast, and Spain in the southwest. and Andorra. France is washed by four bodies of water (the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea). In the west and north, the country’s territory is washed by the Atlantic Ocean (Bay of Biscay and the English Channel), in the south - Mediterranean Sea(Gulf of Lion and Ligurian Sea). The length of the sea borders is 5,500 kilometers. France is the largest country in Western Europe by territory: it occupies almost one-fifth of the territory of the European Union and has vast maritime spaces (the exclusive economic zone extends over an area of ​​11 million sq. km).

The state also includes the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea and more than twenty overseas departments and dependent territories. The total area of ​​the country is 550 thousand km² (643.4 thousand km² including overseas territories and departments).

Climate of France

The climate on the European territory of France is temperate maritime, turning into temperate continental in the east, and subtropical on the southern coast. In total, three types of climate can be distinguished: oceanic (in the west), Mediterranean (in the south), continental (in the center and in the east). Summer is quite hot and dry - the average temperature in July reaches + 23-25 ​​degrees, while the winter months are characterized by rain at an air temperature of + 7-8 ° C.

Natural resource potential

Natural resources and their use. Assessment of natural resource potential for the development of industry and agriculture. France is rich in reserves of iron ore (ferrous metallurgy is developed), bauxite (non-ferrous metallurgy is developed) and potassium salt, large reserves of uranium, poor in combustible mineral resources, in connection with these a powerful oil refining industry has arisen. The country is switching to alternative energy sources, trying in every possible way to eliminate dependence on imported raw materials.

A large number of nuclear power plants have brought it to a leading position in the world in the production of nuclear energy. Agroclimatic resources contribute to the active development of agriculture. Rich land and water resources. Most of the area is occupied by cultivated land, with many lands adapted for pastures. Natural resources are generally favorable for the development of industry and agriculture.

Population

The population of France as of January 2010 is 65.4 million people. 62.8 million people live on the continental territory. In terms of population, the state ranks 20th among 193 UN member countries.

The population density in France is 116 people/km². According to this indicator, the country ranks 14th among EU countries.

It is characterized by the second type of reproduction - “Demographic winter” with low rates of fertility, mortality and natural increase (0.4%). The total fertility rate in France is one of the highest in Europe - 2.0 children per woman. Demographic policy is aimed at stimulating the birth rate: The birth of a third and fourth child is actively encouraged, one-time benefits for the birth of a child are provided in the amount of 260% of the basic salary for the first and 717% for each subsequent child, maternity leave is paid in the amount of 90% of the salary.

Loans for starting a household and housing benefits are provided, 90% of which are repaid upon the birth of the fourth child. On the territory of France, the predominant people are the Indo-European family of the Romance group - the French. Lived by the Basques, the Khoisan group of the Nilo-Saharan family, the Brestonians, the Celtic group of the Indo-European family. Alsatians, Corsicans, and Catalans also live here. Paris is the largest city (and largest metropolitan area) in France.

There are no megalopolises. The share of the population employed in the service sector is large: about 40% of the economically active population (EAP) is employed: in industry 22.3%; in agriculture, forestry and fishing 7.3%; in construction 7.3%; transport and communications 6%. Unemployed - 10% EAN. France's EAN accounts for over 40% of the country's total population.

The proportion of the urban population in France averages 60-80%. With a density of 107 people/sq. km, France is one of the densely populated areas of the planet, but moderately populated in Europe. In France, migrations are mainly represented by immigrations. People travel to major cities in this developed G7 country. Mostly, of course, they head to Paris. Residents of the hinterland are also moving towards Paris and major cities. There are also internal migrations that are characteristic of all states, and there is also a process of suburbanization.

 

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