France

Introduction

The Republic of France is the largest country in Western Europe. The scenery is extremely varied. The Vosges Mountains overlook the Rhine Valley in the NE, the Jura Mountains and the Alps form the borders with Switzerland and Italy in the SE, while the Pyrenees straddle France's border with Spain. The only large highland area entirely within France is the Massif Central between the Rhône-Saône Valley and the basin of Aquitaine. This dramatic area, covering one-sixth of the country, has peaks rising to more than 1,800m [5,900ft]. Volcanic activity dating back 10 to 30 million years ago appears in the form of steep-sided volcanic plugs (Doyle & William 1989, p. 191). Brittany (Bretagne) and Normandy (Normande) form a scenic hill region. Fertile lowlands cover most of N France, including the densely populated Paris Basin. Another major lowland area, the Aquitanian Basin, is in the SW, while the Rhône-Saône Valley and the Mediterranean lowlands are in the SE.

Discussion

French History

For hundreds of years, France was ruled by kings and queens. They built magnificent palaces and castles, such as Chenonceau, along the River Loire. All this was swept away in the revolution of 1789. The monarchy was overthrown and King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, were publicly beheaded. In 1792, France became a republic. Despite some efforts to restore the monarchy, France remains a republic.

City Of Culture

Situated on the banks of the River Seine, Paris is the capital of France and its cultural and political centre. One of the world's most visited cities, its famous landmarks include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the cathedral of Notre Dame (Winks and Talbot 2005, p. 89). There are also many museums, shops, and restaurants. Each spring, the world's leading fashion designers arrive in Paris to present their latest collections.

Village Life

Although many French people have moved from the countryside to live in the cities, village life is still important. Throughout France villages have kept a strong identity, with local festivals, fairs, and weekly food markets. Life centers around the village square where people often gather to play boules, the national game of France.

Industry

One of the world's leading industrial nations, France has large manufacturing, steel, and chemical industries, and competes at the forefront of engineering and technology. The country is a major producer of cars and aircraft, such as this Airbus in its Toulouse factory. France has a large nuclear industry which generates over 75 per cent of the country's electrical power. With millions of visitors a year, tourism is also important to the economy (Sa'adah 2003, p. 158).

Food of France

Famous for its excellent food and fine wines, France has such a range of climates and landscapes that it can produce many different types of food. Each region has its own specialty dish. Central France, for example, is famous for boeuf bourguignon (beef in red wine), while Marseille on the Mediterranean coast specializes in bouillabaisse (fish soup with garlic). France is also known for its breads and pastries, such as croissants, and different types of ...