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France has the benefit of a temperate, rather agreeable climate. Continental France is divided into four climatic zones; Oceanic and humid climate with often cool summers in the west, Semi-continental climate with harsh winters and hot summers, Intermediate climate with cold winters and hot summers, Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very hot summers Square bell towers in gentle valleys, white silos on endless plains of wheat: subtle and harmonious landscapes painted and praise by Racine, La Fontaine, Corot and all the landscape painters. The region is a living museum: Gothic art was born here and there are hundreds of beautiful churches and cathedrals.
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The magnificent castles of Fontainebleau and Versailles with its magnificent royal apartments and gardens bring the history of France to life again. Paris is surrounded by forests: Fontainebleau, Compiègne, and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which attract Parisians in their thousands every weekend. There are interesting walks and hundreds of little paths where lovers of all ages stroll down leafy avenues and breathe in the freshness of these green retreats from the big city. For family holidays and who wish to enjoy in complete harmony. You will therefore take care to choose something that will please everyone, both children and adults. For those traveling in Paris and through France, we have suggested some ideas for possible visits, but there are many more. France is a vast area for play, discovery and enjoyment .
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| Land area: |
210,668 sq mi (545,630 sq km)
Total area: 211,209 sq mi (547,030 sq km)
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Population:
(2006 est.) |
60,876,136 (growth rate: 0.4%)
Birth rate: 12.0/1000
Infant mortality rate: 4.2/1000
Life expectancy: 79.7
Density per sq mi: 289 |
| Capital and largest city: (2003 est.) |
Paris, 9,854,000 (metro. area), 2,110,400 (city proper) |
| Other large cities: |
Marseille, 820,700
Lyon, 443,900
Toulouse, 411,800
Nice, 332,000
Nantes, 282,300
Strasbourg, 272,600
Bordeaux, 217,000
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| Monetary unit: |
Euro (formerly French franc) |
| Languages: |
French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects (Provençal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
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| Ethnicity/race: |
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Southeast Asian, and Basque minorities
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| Religions: |
Roman Catholic 83%–88%, Protestant 2%, Islam 5%–10%, Jewish 1%, unaffiliated 4%
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Literacy rate:
(1980 est) |
99%
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