France

Land of Many Regions Northern France Southwestern France South Central and Southeastern France Mediterranean Coast Rhine Valley

Northern France Paris Basin – Northern European Plain Paris (on the Seine River), Lille (north) Centers of Commercial Industry and Trade

Southwestern France Warm air & Dry Soil = vineyards Bordeaux

South Central and Southeastern Mountains: Massif Central & Alps Rhone River Massif central is 1/6 of France’s Land Mt. Blanc (alps) 15,771 feet Hindered movement between France and Italy until 1965 tunnel was built Some isolated farming, tourism

Mediterranean Coast Riviera – small strip of land between alps and Med. –Cote d’Azure –Tourism Cannes, Nice, Saint- Tropez Marseille – 2 nd busiest port in Europe –Oil & shipping

Monaco Tourism Casino Tax Haven Formula one racing Princess Grace About 3 times the size of the Mall in D.C.

Rhine Valley Rhine River (border with Germany) Large deposits of iron ore, coal

History “Gaul” was conquered by the Romans in 1 st century B.C. After decline of Roman Empire – Franks (from modern day Germany) came and conquered Most famous of the Franks- Charlemagne

Charlemagne Became king in 768 By 814 he controlled the “holy Roman Empire” which included most of western Europe Set up governments, sent out missionaries, encouraged revival of arts and learning.

After Charlemagne, power fell to the nobles. 987 Hugh Capet became rule of Paris. His heirs became stronger and stronger, gaining more land until 1589 – when France was almost the same size as today. Kings ruled for 200 years until…….

The French Revolution July 14, 1789 – Paris mob stormed and captured the Bastille (prison) because King Louis XVI would not draft a new constitution reducing the monarchy’s power. Today France celebrates July 14 as Bastille Day – their independence day.

Types of Governments… Since the Revolution, France has had: –A republic or the people –Constitutional monarchy –Empires (Napoleon & nephew)

Germany…. 3 times since 1870 German armies have swept across France!

Language ONE national language – French –Originally spoken only in Paris –Other languages, and dialects are still spoken Alsatian, German, Basque, Breton Dialect is a variation of language unique to a region

Cultural Identity Great pride in intellectual and artistic achievements –Rene Descartes –Jean Paul Sartre –Voltaire –Claude Monet –Pierre Auguste Renoir

Impressionism

Museums Louvre is the world’s largest museum.

After WWII… Planning programs to modernize the economy and balance growth among France’s regions Nationalized some businesses Privatized some government owned companies Many economic measures put into place to meet EU standards Great growth for a while 1990’s – Recession –Unemployment –Strikes –Racial tensions due to North African immigration Things began to improve in 2000’s.

Tour de France Began in week, 2,500 mile race Stages – some flat land, some mountainous! Only men may compete! In 2002 racers had two rest days out of the 23 day race! At the end of each day of the race, a yellow jersey is awarded to the rider with the fastest overall time since the race began Route changes each year passing through different towns

Fun Facts A cave found in 1940 contained over 600 paintings on, and 1,500 engravings carved into the walls by Cro-Magnon artists of 17,000 years ago! – Lascaux Cave

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