France is a sovereign state in Western Europe with several overseas regions and territories. France shares land borders with Spain and Andorra to the south, Belgium and Luxembourg to the north, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, and Saint-Martin (a French overseas collectivity) to the east, and the United Kingdom to the northwest. With an area of 640,679 square kilometers (247,368 sq mi), France is slightly less than twice the size of Spain or somewhat more than three times as large as California. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and North Sea on its northern coast; from there it extends westward through Brittany into western Normandy until reaching northwesternmost Gaul at Cape Gris Nez near Calais—the closest point on French territory to Britain—and thence southwestward along a line extending through Le Havre–Rouen–Paris–Orléans–Tours until reaching southwesternmost Gaul at Nantes. From there it extends southeastward along a line running through Bordeaux–Montpellier–Marseille before finally reaching southeasternmost Gaul at Perpignan. The total length of all coastline including island coastlines is 8673 km (5420 miles).
The highest mountain peak in France is Mont Blanc in Haute-Savoie on the border with Italy, 4 808 m (15774 ft) above sea level. Several other mountains are almost as high: les Ecrins massif 4 102 m (13454 ft), Vosges 3 734 m (12242 ft), Massif Central 2 850 – 1 455m (9352 – 4744 ft).. Most rivers flow into one another or towards the Atlantic Ocean; those include Seine 776 km long which flows through Paris; Loire 634 km long; Garonne 545 km long flowing into Gironde estuary where Bordeaux is located; Rhône 502 km long flowing into Mediterranean Sea between Marseille and Avignon; Dordogne 494 km long joining Garonne downstream of Bordeaux etcetera.. There are also several mountain lakes such as Lac d’ Annecy 737 m above sea level or Lac du Bourget 698m.. The lowest point in metropolitan France is on Rhône delta 0m where Mediterranean Sea joins this river..
Climate varies depending on latitude: it can be tropical near la Réunion island or temperate closer to mainland Europe. It can also be cold in mountainous areas like Alps or Pyrenees even during summertime due to altitude.. Snowfall occurs regularly in wintertime everywhere except for coastal areas exposed directly ta warm ocean currents like those found on Corsica or Canary Islands which enjoy mild winters by European standards…
Sunniest regions are Corsica with 3000 hours/year of sunshine but also Languedoc-Roussillon 2650 h/y,, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur 2610 h/y,, Cote d’Azur 2590 h/y,, Burgundy 2560 h /y , Champagne-Ardenne 2550 h /y , Auvergne 2505 h / y while rainiest region is unsurprisingly Bretagne 1900 mm/ year .. Spring comes earliest in southern parts of country followed by progressively later arrival further north culminating usually around late May or early June in Nord_Pas de Calais area bordering Belgium…
Population was estimated at 66 936 000 people living within metropolitan France’s borders as per January 2017 estimate which would make it 20th most populous country worldwide ahead e.g. Canada 71 million people but behind Indonesia 260 million people . If including all Overseas departments territories populations then that number would increase to 67 222 000 inhabitants making it 18th most populous country just ahead Vietnam 97 million people but behind Ethiopia 102 million people … Life expectancy at birth for whole population was 82 years according tot 2013 data – that’s 10th longest life expectancy world wide compared e g US 78 years UK 80 years … Sex ratio male vs female was calculated at 0 96 males /female ..
French economy – 5 th largest GDP world wide after USA China Japan Germany – has been described variously over time : dirigiste after WWII period when government played strong role guiding industry ; protectionist prior too WTO agreement lowering trade barriers beginning 1995 ; statist referring too high percentage taxes collected by public sector 57 % GDP compared e g US 35 % ; mixed economy combining private initiative free markets with substantial social welfare programs funded out of taxation…Main economic activity sectors are services 68 % Manufacturing 21% Agriculture 11%… Unemployment rate 10 16 % December 2016 Eurostatdata …Growth 1 3 percent first quarter 2017 same source … Trade surplus 38 billion euros balance 2015 IMF data …. Currency Euro EUR since 1999 previously Franc FRF devalued 1968 followingCharles de Gaulle decision leave Bretton Woods system linking currencies values gold reserves US dollars USD …. Time zone UTC utc+1 daylight savings time March October … Country calling code 33