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CultureGramsTM Edition 2014 France (French )

By 51 BC, the Romans had conquered the 's Celtic BACKGROUND inhabitants, the , who then adopted the Romans' customs, language, and laws. , king of the , Land and defeated the last Roman governor in AD 486. The French Area (sq. mi.): 248,573 consider his conversion to Catholicism in 496 the founding Area (sq. km.): 643,801 act of the nation; the move won him the support of the Catholic and -Roman people, who helped him France is half the size of , or slightly smaller than the defeat surrounding Arian kingdoms. U.S. state of Texas. As the country is hexagonal in shape, it is In the late eighth century, France was part of sometimes referred to asl'hexagone . The terrain is varied, 's vast . After the empire's disintegration, including , mountains, and forests. Mountains stretch France emerged as one of the successor kingdoms in 987. The along the with , , and . France following centuries brought intermittent conflict, particularly boasts one of 's highest peaks, , at 15,771 with the English, including the Hundred Years' War, from feet (4,807 meters). The (Rhin) River forms part of the 1337 to 1453. In 1429, after 80 years of war, Joan of led with . A flat with rolling dominates the French in victory over the English. Later burned to the northern area. by the English (1431), she remains a French heroine. The southern climate is Mediterranean, with cool, moist The and winters and , dry summers. The north is temperate and By the late , France dominated Europe. Under Louis rainy. The is also rainy and influenced by the Atlantic, XIV (the Sun King), the movement toward centralized which moderates temperatures. The central, east, and government reached its peak. His palace at Versailles was the upland areas have a continental climate, with fluctuating envy of the continent. But by 1789, royal extravagance and temperatures; in the mountains, thunderstorms are prevalent defeats in foreign wars resulted in the French Revolution. in summer. French extends to the of Louis XVI's was toppled, and the country entered (Corse) as as several overseas and the . Despite the brutality of the uprising, the départements (overseas divisions of France that have French Revolution marks a milestone in world history representatives in the French government as well as some because it started a movement toward democratic local autonomy), including , , and government. . After a decade of instability, Napoleon Bonaparte took power, declaring himself emperor in 1804. Napoleon History conquered most of Europe before embarking on a disastrous Gauls and the Hundred Years' War campaign in in 1812. In 1814, Austrian and Prussian

1 TM CultureGrams France forces seized , and Napoleon was exiled. His 1815 return •Cabinet dissolves: In August 2014, several key cabinet to power, called his “,” ended in defeat by the figures resigned in protest of the government’s austerity English at Waterloo. The monarchy was restored but was measures. In response, the prime minister replaced his entire followed by the Second Republic (1848–52) and then the cabinet. The conflict arose over fears that the austerity Second Empire (1852–70), under Napoleon III. Defeat by measures will only worsen France’s rate and Germany led to the Third Republic in 1871. low economic growth. World Wars France was a battleground during both world wars. It was occupied by Germany between 1940 and 1944 and was the THE PEOPLE site of the D-Day invasion that turned the of World War II in favor of the Allies. The Fourth Republic was declared in Population 1946; it was followed by the Fifth Republic in 1958, with Population: 66,259,012 as president. France was a founding Rate: 0.45% member of the European Community and is a central force in Urban Population: 87% today's (EU). Student Protests and Economic Problems Greater Paris claims nearly 12 million inhabitants and In 1968, students and workers protested over a rigid well over 1 million. Ethnically, the French have a educational system and poor working conditions; their Celtic heritage that has mixed with various other European protests resulted in lasting social change. The 1968 events groups (, Nordic, Teutonic, Slavic, and others) over the were still fresh in the public's mind when students in the early centuries. Primary immigrant groups include Portuguese, 1990s took to the streets, protesting conditions in public , , , and those from former French schools and proposed changes in wage laws. The social unrest colonies in North , , the , and and economic problems led three successive prime ministers Southeast Asia. Although they have integrated into French to resign. Internal were more stable until massive society, the various ethnic groups do not mix with one rioting broke out among suburban youth in 2005. another. North Africans tend to remain the most separate Among the first wave of EU countries to adopt the , because of their , Islam. As in much of Europe, the France voted against the EU constitution in 2005 but ratified a small Roma (Gypsy) population in France is often ostracized. modified version, the Treaty, three years later. The country struggled to recover from the global recession in Language 2008; it first injected over 40 billion into the French French is an important international language. It is an official but then cut national spending by 45 billion euros in language of the and is second only to English 2010. The 2011 euro crisis posed a new challenge for the in use between nations for communication, business, and French economy; the president was forced to make further . The French government has stressed the language cuts to and increase , even as so much that almost everyone in France speaks French, unemployment continued to rise. despite the different nationalities represented. Regional In May 2012, François Hollande became the first Socialist were in danger of disappearing, but the French to take office in 24 years. Hollande, aided by a Socialist government has recently made an effort to preserve them. It is majority in , aims to emphasize growth, not just possible to study regional dialects at school, just as if they austerity, in EU economic policies. His budget plan includes a were foreign languages. freeze in government spending, not budget cuts, and increased French students begin learning their first foreign language taxes on corporations. Hollande has been criticized for not at age nine. Instruction in a second foreign language begins at doing enough to lower France's rising unemployment, as well 13. Communication skills are emphasized over grammar and as for supporting a treaty that commits countries to theory. English is the most common first foreign language. fiscal discipline. Spanish and German are common second foreign languages. Recent Events and Trends Despite its emphasis on foreign-language instruction, the •Elections held: In the municipal elections of 2014, French government resists the inclusion of foreign words in French voters strongly supported right-leaning parties instead the . TheAcadémie française is the of the ruling . Many voters were disappointed government body that tries to keep French pure. that the Socialists had not improved the economy as French president François Hollande had promised to do. In response, Religion the prime minister resigned, and Holland appointed the Although about 85 percent of the French population is Roman interior minister, Manuel Valls, as the new prime minister. Catholic, very few people actively practice the religion. Most •Pro-Palestine protests turn violent: In July 2014, French Catholics celebrate the various religious holidays and pro-Palestine protesters attempted to two synagogues in attend Mass or twice a year. Half have a religious Paris. French authorities responded by banning similar , and many still baptize their . These protests, but only days later, another gathering became a religious ceremonies have become mostly social rites for most violent that targeted Jewish-owned businesses and French, who do not have strong religious beliefs. While active another synagogue. Several young men were arrested and worship is increasingly rare, many people still visit shrines some given jail sentences. and other places of devotion.

2 TM CultureGrams France Between 5 and 10 percent of the population practices Islam, making it the second largest ; a CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES growing number of people, especially youth, are converting to Islam. A small number of the people are Protestant (2 Greetings percent) or Jewish (1 percent). About 4 percent of the When greeting someone other than a friend, a handshake is population claims no religious affiliation. There is a strict customary. The French handshake is a light grip and a single, separation between church and state in France. Wearing shake. Women customarily are kissed on both cheeks religious symbols is prohibited in schools and public places. by male and female friends. Men only kiss the cheeks of males who are relatives or close friends. When people give General Attitudes kisses, they generally just cheeks and “kiss the air.” The The French measure success by educational , family number of kisses given varies by and ranges from two reputation, and financial status. Among the most patriotic to four. people in , they are extremely proud of their culture, Standard phrases for greeting includeBonjour (Good day) heritage, and way of life. This patriotism fosters a general andComment allez-vous? or the more informalÇa va? (both expectation that visitors have some knowledge of French and meaning “How are you?”). Greetings are usually combined show appreciation for French culture. The French are with the person's name or a and always precede any reserved and private but tend to be more hospitable outside conversation or request. Good-bye is Au revoir (Until Paris. Politeness is valued, and S'il vous plaît (Please) is a meet again) or the less formalA bientôt (See you soon). A common phrase. favorite among young people isSalut for both greeting and Although the country is very multicultural, it seeks to parting. Friends and close colleagues use first names; maintain its by resisting the growing popularity otherwise, professional and titles such as Monsieur (especially among young people) of cheap fast food, foreign (Mr.), Madame (Mrs.), andMademoiselle (Miss) are sitcoms, and music. The government restricts the common. percentage of non-French entertainment on national radio and television channels. While the has traditionally directed French The French are careful about their personal habits, being attitudes, political and social trends have caused the French to discreet when sneezing, blowing the nose, etc. They do not reexamine their national identity. This introspection has led use personal items, such as combs and toothpicks, in public. It some to predict that French society will experience is improper to speak with one's hands in one's pockets or to fundamental change during the next generation. Areas of chew gum in public. Sitting with legs spread apart is impolite change may include education, , economics, the for women; one should sit straight with knees together or with central government's structure, or even language. legs at the knee. Feet are not placed on tables or chairs. The “okay” sign used in the (a rounded Personal Appearance index finger touching the tip of the thumb) means “zero” to In general, the French take great care to dress well, whether the French. The French for “okay” is the “thumbs up” they are wearing formal or casual attire, and they feel more at sign. Slapping the open over a closed fist is vulgar and ease with visitors who show the same degree of attention to should be avoided. appearance. Paris is home to many of the world's leading fashion designers. Visiting Professional attire, depending on the business and location, The French are formal in their visiting customs, and people tends to be formal. Parisians dress more formally than people do not often visit unannounced. Families enjoy getting in other cities. In the southern sunbelt, dress is more casual together when possible, often on Sundays. Guests usually but not less stylish. Most French women value a natural look arrive on time because punctuality is a sign of courtesy. and wear very little makeup. However, for some social events it is also polite to arrive a French students are not required to wear a to go to few minutes late, allowing the hosts extra time for final school, but they do have to follow a dress code. Students wear preparations. sports clothes during P.E. Young people wear more casual Guests do not enter a home until invited inside. They clothes on weekends or when at home and more stylish generally sit where the host directs. It is a polite gesture to clothes when they go out with friends or family. They also bring , , or flowers to the hostess, except red like to try out different clothing and hairstyles until they find (reserved for romantic love) and (used in their own . cemeteries). At mealtime, eating is never rushed because the generally believe religious dress is contrary conversation is appreciated as much as the food, though it is to the principles of France's secular society, and some Muslim best to avoid personal questions and topics such as religion or face controversy over the way they dress. In money. The hosts should be complimented on the meal; good 2004, France banned the wearing of head scarves in schools cooking is a matter of pride in French homes. When ending a and other public buildings, and in 2011, the country banned visit, a guest waits for a polite silence before rising. At the the wearing of face veils. door, small talk, expressions of thanks, and repeated good-byes continue; it is impolite to be in a hurry to leave.

3 TM CultureGrams France Eating choose to finish their educations and begin their careers Lunch was once the main meal of the day, but urban society before starting a family of their own. This can be challenging has changed, and many people now have a light lunch, not in France, where many women have to work harder than their eating their main meal until the evening. In Paris, déjeuner male colleagues to prove that they are capable. Most French (lunch) is usually eaten around noon or 1 p.., and dinner women do not marry and have families until they are in their often is not before 8 p.m. In other parts of the country, thirties. particularly rural areas, people eat earlier. Families usually gather for dinner; cooking together and sharing meals is a Housing bonding experience for many French families. Most people live in urban areas, with a growing number Etiquette is important to the French. Both hands remain moving out of city centers into suburbs. After the Second above the table at all times. A man may rest his wrists, and a World War, many French were homeless. Beginning in the her forearms, on the table edge. One does not place 1960s, the federal government built cheap buildings the elbows on the table. The French eat with the fork in the containing dozens of apartments for poor families. These left hand and the knife in . low- lodgings have grown old and dilapidated. Many are In formal contexts, lettuce is folded into small pieces with now being torn down to allow for the of less the fork but never cut. Fruit is peeled and cut with a knife and generic and more attractive homes. eaten with a fork. Bread, eaten with every meal, is broken Housing style varies by region, with local with the fingers and used to wipe the plate. It can also be used occasionally insisting that all houses in their conform to push food onto the fork; in this case, the bread is held in to certain standards. In , for example, all the houses are the left hand and the fork in the right. One places the knife painted in bright colors and have outside beams and flower and fork parallel across the plate when finished. Formal baskets that must be kept in good condition. In the north of lunches and dinners may last more than two hours, with as France, most houses have grey-slated roofs, while in the south many as eight to twelve courses. most roofs are made of red tiles. Social meals begin with an appetizer, followed by hors Many people rely on government subsidies to afford d'oeuvres; a first course of or salad; a main course of expensive housing. Environmentally friendly housing is fish, pasta, or a meat cooked in a crust or sauce; ; and valued, and the government reinforces this by subsidizing then a dessert. or liquor finish the evening. A typical solar panels, wood heating, and other “green” features. family meal has two to four courses. Meals with extended family can last up to four hours. When eating out, the person Dating and who invites or makes the suggestion usually pays. Dating and Courtship Wine is consumed with most meals, except ; French youth initially form relationships by socializing numerous varieties are available. Red wine generally casually with a of friends. Favorite activities include accompanies meat and cheese, is drunk with fish, going to parks, friends' houses, cafés, dances, and movies. and wine is an appetizer. Unless certain of its high Boys and girls spend their time laughing and talking, and quality, foreign guests should not give wine as a gift. In friendships often lead to more serious relationships. Parents formal meals, is drunk with either the appetizer or are usually supportive of relationships and may even allow a the dessert. young adult couple to live in their home for a period of time. Marriage in Society Many French people no longer believe that marriage is LIFESTYLE important; this is partly because of high divorce rates. An agreement that two parties make in of a legal Family representative,le pacs, affords couples the same that Structure accompany formal marriage.Le pacs can be ended easily, Most families enjoy a comfortable standard of living, without a divorce. Couples often commit to this type of although class distinctions are still fairly visible. The average arrangement instead of getting engaged; it is a way to see if French family has one or two children. Pets outnumber the relationship will work out before getting married. In May children in France and receive special attention. Both the 2013, France legalized same-sex marriage. Opinion polls nuclear family and the extended family are important in show that a little over half of France's population approved of France. the measure. Parents and Children Weddings Grandparents an important role in French families; they Wedding days are very important in France; they require a sometimes care for grandchildren while the parents are of preparation and money. Traditionally, the wedding is working. However, some people are now moving away from celebrated in the bride's hometown, and the bride wears a their extended families to work or study. Still, many children white dress. remain at home until they finish their education. There are two separate ceremonies. The first is at the city Gender Roles hall, where the couple is legally married by the . This is A French is the core of the family unit. Though more followed by a second, optional religious ceremony at a women now work outside of their homes, still find church. Friends, family, and acquaintances all attend the city time for their families, especially their children. Women often hall ceremony and then follow the couple's to the church.

4 TM CultureGrams France They honk their car horns along the way. , often purchased at aboulangerie (bakery). Filled After the ceremony, a light meal, le vin d'honneur, is and sandwiches can be bought in shops and cafés. served for all the guests. Gifts, usually of money, are given to Cafés also offer croque-monsieurs (toasted ham-and-cheese the couple. At night, friends and family attend the reception, sandwiches) and salad-type vegetables for a light meal. where a big meal—with many courses and a traditional Pâtisseries (pastry shops) sell cakes, and some restaurants sell —is served and dancing lasts until dawn. crêpes. The French population tends to resist foreign fast food because of health concerns about genetically modified foods Life Cycle and worries about globalization, which is seen as a threat to Birth France's small farmers. Even so, many hamburger restaurants Pregnancy is usually a happy time of preparation. France has operate across the country. generous parental policies, including 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave for all women. Mothers can take between 3 to Recreation 6 weeks before and 10 to 13 weeks after each child's birth. Sports Working fathers are also given a mandatory paid leave of 11 Soccer and rugby are popular spectator sports; France hosted days after the birth. At the end of the maternity leave, either and won the 1998 soccer competition. The annual the mother or father can take job-protected cycling race and the until the child is three years old. tournament are popular national events. Although relatively few French citizens are regular Participation is higher in individual sports such as cycling, churchgoers, most observe traditional Catholic rituals. A few fishing, tennis, hiking, skiing, and sailing than in team sports. months to a year after birth, a baby is baptized and given Others enjoy , riding horses, and golfing. People of all godparents. ages enjoy pétanque, a form of bowling that originated in Milestones . It is becoming more common for adults to At 12 or 13, many children take their First Communion. This jog, walk, or ride bicycles. is usually a big event, involving a religious ceremony and a Young boys play soccer or rugby in clubs. is large family gathering with plenty of food. also popular among boys but more popular among young Children named after a saint from the Christian calendar girls, who may participate in dance and gymnastic classes as often celebrate their , the day to which that saint is well. Teenage girls play a variety of sports, while teenage linked. For example, boys named Nicolas may be given small boys tend to continue playing soccer. presents on 6 December (St. Nicolas Day). Leisure The biggest transition from childhood to adulthood is high The French enjoy spending leisure time with their friends or school graduation. Students must take a bac ( for family. They love to cook and eat together. On the weekends, baccalauréat) exam to qualify for university studies. many people also like to go to the movies, hike, camp, or Graduation is viewed as a transition to independence for the picnic with friends. Many French women love to shop. new adults, who are now able to drive, earn their own money, Summer music festivals occur throughout France. and build their own lives. National is no Vacation longer compulsory. Most people take five weeks of paid vacation each year—four Death weeks in the summer and one week at Christmas. During When a person dies, a religious ceremony is held at a church August, when many people travel, some shops and factories to honor him or her, after which friends and family follow the close. coffin to the cemetery, where the person is buried. Cremation, French students enjoy two weeks of vacation after every which is less expensive, is becoming more common. A light six weeks of school, which enables them to visit their meal is then given at the family's home, and friends and extended families. If they can't spend time with their families, family share memories of the deceased with each other. students often attend daytime outdoor activity centers or Families often bring flowers to the gravesite at every holiday camps. Camp activities vary according to the season anniversary of the death and on All Saints' Day (1 and may include skiing, horseback riding, hiking, or ). swimming. Students also have about three months of summer vacation. During the summertime, the whole family is able to Diet go on vacation together, usually to the beach or to the The French consider cooking an art, and is mountains. Camping is a popular activity in the summer. famous worldwide. The first French cookbooks date back to the , and French standards were the early gauge The Arts of fine cooking. Regional traditions are strong. There are , art, and architecture have greatly influenced several types of cooking, ranging from hearty, inexpensive the modern world. France claims both classic writers, such as fare to sophisticated dishes with costly ingredients. Nouvelle and Victor , and modern writers, who helped cuisine, created in the 1960s, was a reaction to heavy introduce movements such as surrealism, , and cooking. While still made of expensive ingredients, it is much postmodernism. The impressionist movement in art, which lighter, portions are smaller, and the presentation is more emphasized subjective representation and the reflection of artistic. light, began in France at the end of the 1800s. This movement Most people eat a light breakfast of coffee and bread or a included the famous painter . France is also

5 TM CultureGrams France home to world-renowned art , such as the charm hidden inside. and the Pompidou Center. Famous examples of French Other Holidays architecture include the Tower and Gothic , For New Year's (Jour de l'an), people often present flowers to such as the Notre Dame de Paris. older family members, and some exchange gifts. They The first photograph was taken in France in 1827, and celebrate New Year's Eve with parties and . In Daguerre and other French artists soon helped make February, Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday) is celebrated with photography into a respected art form. The first motion , costumes, and parties. Labor Day (1 May) is marked picture was shown in 1895 in France, and later French by parades and celebrates the coming of . On 21 , contributions included the film projector and trick the French celebrate la Fête de la Musique (the Music Party), photography. a night celebration commemorating summer's beginning and France is also known for its cuisine, philosophy, ballet, the longest day of the year. People gather in cities and ceramics, and fashion. French designers such as Christian villages to listen to music groups who sing and play music at , Coco , Cartier, and Louis Vuitton retain a free concerts. prominent place in the world of international high fashion.

Holidays SOCIETY The French celebrate several holidays each year, including New Year's Day (1 Jan.), Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday), Government Easter and Monday, Labor Day (1 May),Le Huit Mai : Pres. François Hollande (French Day, 8 May), and Armistice : PM Manuel Valls Day (11 Nov.). They also celebrate Catholic holidays, such as Capital: Paris Ascension, , Assumption (15 Aug.), and All Saints' Day (1 Nov.). Structure Day France is a republic; its constitution was adopted in (La Fête Nationale) is 14 July. Bastille Day 1958 and has been amended many times. Because commemorates the prison in Paris the current constitution is the country's fifth, the current during the French Revolution. It is celebrated with a huge government is commonly called the Fifth Republic. France is military in Paris; thousands gather on les divided into 27 regions, including its 5 overseas regions of Champs-Élysées, and thousands more watch it on television. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, , and The parade ends in front of the president and his guests. Reunion. Smaller parades are held in virtually every French city. The president is directly elected, serving as head of state Friends and families get together to play games and have for a five-year term, and is eligible for a second term. The picnics. Fireworks shows are standard. president appoints a prime minister, typically from the World War I Armistice Day majority party in the , and has the right to World War I Armistice Day, 11 November, is a national dissolve the Assembly to call for new elections. The president holiday and a time of contemplation. host has no veto power but can rule by emergency decree in a parades, and political figures give speeches about World War crisis. The prime minister, also called the president of the I. Military cemeteries commemorate this day with ceremonies Council of Ministers, serves as the head of government. where stories are told and pictures of veterans are displayed. When the president and the prime minister are from the same Television stations show documentaries about the war. party, the prime minister acts as a subordinate of the Christmas president. When they are from opposing parties, called a Christmas is important in France. At Christmas (Noël), the , the prime minister enjoys broader executive tree is decorated before or on Christmas Eve. People prepare power. for Christmas by decorating, putting up lights, and shopping The National Assembly and the make up France's for gifts. Many host a Christmas market, where bicameral Parliament. The National Assembly's 577 members vendors sell handicrafts, food, and drink. Christmas is a are elected to five-year terms though a majoritarian system. magical time for French children, who leave their shoes by The Senate's 348 members serve six-year terms. One-third of the fireplace forPère Noël (Santa Claus) to fill. On Christmas its members are indirectly elected by an electoral Eve, families gather and share specialties like escargots, foie every three years. Both houses include representation from gras, , smoked salmon, , cheese, and baguettes. France's overseas departments and territories. For dessert, they serve the bûche de Noël, a cake with vanilla Political parties are legally required to include a balanced or chocolate frosting and flavored filling. Families also often ratio of male to female candidates; the difference of male and go to midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the nearest church, female candidates cannot exceed 2 percent in National where they listen to the choir sing and hear the Christmas Assembly elections nationwide, and ballots for the Senate story. Families then return home and open the presents Père must include an ratio of male and female candidates. Noël has left for everyone. Holiday festivities last through Only the Parti Socialiste includes a voluntary quota, requiring New Year's. On 6 January, the Epiphany (which celebrates 50 percent female candidates for all electoral lists. the Magi's visit to the baby Jesus) is celebrated by sharing a The judicial branch consists of the Cour de Cassation gâteau des rois (king cake), a round, flat cake with a lucky (Supreme Court of Appeals),Conseil Constitutionel

6 TM CultureGrams France (Constitutional Council), and Conseil d'Etat (Council of equipment, steel products, and agricultural goods. About half State). The nine members of theConseil Constitutionel are of France's energy is generated by plants. The appointed by different government leaders: three by the service sector employs roughly three-quarters of the labor president, three by the president of the National Assembly, force. France attracts more tourists than any other country in and three by the . the world. In 2002, the euro officially replaced France's Political former currency, the . France has a multiparty system, with the center-right Union pour un Mouvement Populaire (Union for a Popular Transportation and Communications Movement, UMP) and the center-left Parti Socialiste Internet Users (per 100 people): 82 (Socialist Party, PS) acting as the two political parties. Cellular Phone Subscriptions (per 100 people): 98 Other major political parties include the far-right Front Paved Roads: NA National (National Front, FN), theParti Communiste Français (French Communist Party, PCF), the centrist France's public transportation system is well developed. Mouvement Démocrate (Democratic Movement, MoDem), Buses serve most cities, and train service extends to even the and the center-left Les Verts (the Greens). smallest towns. Trains are best for long-distance travel. The Typically, right-leaning politicians and parties have TGV (train à grande vitesse) is a high-speed passenger train, favored free markets (economic liberalism), while those who reaching 186 mph (300 km/h). Subways are known as the are left-leaning support socialism. Immigration, economic métro. Most people own private , which are generally reform, and political are major political issues. French brands, such as or . The French Government and the People domestic air system is efficient, and car ferries link France The government struggles with transparency. There is little with Corsica (Corse) and . A trip from Paris to infrastructure to deal with the conflicts of interest between London by train crosses under the and takes politicians and the private sector or to regulate the interaction three hours; time is 35 minutes. between members of Parliament and lobbyists. Political The communications system is modern. Pay phones parties are widely perceived as being corrupt by the public, generally use cards or phone cards (télécarte) who also largely find the government's efforts at combating purchased at a post office. The post office is the center for corruption to be ineffective. various forms of communication and transactions. France Civil rights and liberties are generally respected. However, publishes more than a hundred daily newspapers. With the while is a constitutional right, laws ban exception of defamation laws, the French press is free. Most the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols in public French people have cellular phones. Internet is widely used in spaces. and international -rights organizations French offices and . Minitel, a pre–World Wide have described these laws as an infringement on religious Web online service created in 1978, allowed users to do tasks freedom. The is 18. Between half and two-thirds of such as buy train tickets, chat, and search telephone the eligible population regularly participates in presidential directories before the internet made these services available to and parliamentary elections. households. Minitel was widely popular and considered groundbreaking until the late 1990s; its services were retired Economy in June 2012 due to the popularity of the internet. GDP (PPP) in billions: $2,276 GDP (PPP) per capita: $35,700 Education Adult : 99% France's large industrial economy and welfare-style Mean Years of Schooling: 11.1 government allow its people to enjoy the benefits of economic prosperity. Inflation is low, but high unemployment Structure and Access and budget deficits are ongoing challenges. Youth Schooling is free and compulsory from age 6 to 16. Preschool unemployment reached just over 24 percent at the end of is also free, but not compulsory, from age 2 to 6. However, 2012. The global financial crisis of 2008 prompted France to nearly all children enroll because the French believe that develop a US$33 billion economic stimulus package. Under preschools are important for developing the communication Sarkozy, the government responded to the financial crisis skills of young children. with austerity measures such as a freeze on government Secondary education, lasting seven years, is offered by spending. President Hollande cut both public spending and collèges and lycées. Collège, similar to junior high school, taxes on businesses in hopes of creating more jobs, but the lasts for four years. After collège, students take an exam economy has continued to struggle. called thebrevet . Students then have more than one option As one of Europe's leading agricultural producers, France they can follow: continue on to high school (known as lycée) is self-sufficient in most foods. The agricultural sector or go to a school to gain experience in a specific trade. employs about 3 percent of the workforce and is a world School Life leader in the production of wine, , , cheese, , The public primary school day starts at 8:30 or 9 a.m., has a and . One-third of the land is arable. Major industries two-hour lunch break around noon, and then lasts until 4:30 include steel, motor vehicles, aircraft, textiles, chemicals, and or 5 p.m. Children go to school on Monday, Tuesday, food processing. Exports include machinery and transport Thursday, and Friday, and have Wednesday, Saturday, and

7 TM CultureGrams France Sunday off. Incollege , school goes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, with a half day on Wednesday. TM French lycées involve a full week of classes and a large CultureGrams amount of homework. ProQuest 789 East Eisenhower Parkway Parents who work bring their children to school before it Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 USA starts, and the children are taken care of by the school Toll Free: 1.800.521.3042 during the lunch break. Some children attend Catholic Fax: 1.800.864.0019 www.culturegrams.com schools, which are partly subsidized by the state. The French education system values individual work, as well as testing, to © 2014 ProQuest LLC and Brigham Young University. It is against the law judge the knowledge of individual students. All French to copy, reprint, store, or transmit any part of this publication in any form by any means without strict written permission from ProQuest. students are required to study English. Higher Education After secondary education, students take an exam to determine whether they may go on to higher education. Students can either go to traditional universities or to professional schools that offer school classes combined with work experience. Businesses tend to look favorably on students who go to professional schools because of the experience they gain in their chosen field. Some students attend a university because they do not yet feel ready to enter the job market. Education is relatively inexpensive at France's 60 universities, including the Sorbonne, in Paris. However, the best students take further preparatory classes in to attend the grandes écoles, where they study for careers in government, the military, education, and industry (, marketing, and management).

Health The French enjoy good health and have a high . Medical care is generally good and is available to all citizens through a socialized system. Prices and fees are fixed by the government. Many French people also carry private insurance to pay fees not covered by the government. In addition to public hospitals, private clinics are available. The government has recently raised taxes on cigarettes in an effort to curb the number of smokers in the country.

AT A GLANCE

Contact Information Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007; phone (202) 944-6000; web site www.info-france-usa.org. French Government Tourist Office, phone (212) 745-0952; web site us.franceguide.com.

Country and Development Data

Capital Paris Population 66,259,012 (rank=21) Area (sq. mi.) 248,573 (rank=44) Area (sq. km.) 643,801 20 of 187 countries 12 of 148 countries GDP (PPP) per capita $35,700 Adult Literacy 99% (male); 99% (female) Infant Mortality 3 per 1,000 births Life Expectancy 79 (male); 86 (female) Currency Euro

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