1. France By Saoirse and Sarah

2. Languages:President:Prime Minister : Population:Currency:Religions: AnswerEnglish and French Nicholas Sarkozy Francois Fillen 65,073, 482 people Euro and CPF Franc Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 3%, unaffiliated 4% Fast Facts on France Europe Region 10 France

3. This is the Paris City flag. ParisParisParisParis Paris is France’s capital city. Paris is the largest growing city in France. Paris’s population is nearly 13 million people. Some attractions in Paris are the Eiffel tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Arc De Triomphe.

4. Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is over 100 years old. The Eiffel Tower has a restaurant, post office, and a museum. The top of the tower is 325 metres high. The Eiffel Tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel, and therefore was named after him. The Eiffel Tower weighs over 10,000 tonnes, and has 3 levels. The Eiffel tower gets repainted every 7 years, and when this time comes it takes about 55 tonnes of paint.

5. Nord-Pas-de-Calais Picardy Normandy Brittany Pays de la Loire Poitou-Charentes Aquitaine Pyrenees Languedoc Roussillon Provence Corsica Rhone- Alpes Auvergne Limousin Loire Valley Bourgogne Franche Comte Champagne Ardenne Ile de France Alsace Lorraine Paris-Isle-of- France

6. The FlagThe Flag The flag of France, under the old monarchy was white. The arms and badges of the city of Paris are red and blue. In the early days of the revolution, the country was basically run by the Paris national guard, who at first wore Rosettes in the cities colours, and then – to show they were still loyal to the crown- added the royal white in the middle. Even after they chopped the Kings head off (3 years later). They had got used to the new flag, and probably forgotten what it represented, so they kept it.

7. France is a democratic society. France doesn’t have a royal family. Up until 1789 it did, then the country became a republic. Francois Fillon- Prime MinisterNicholas Sarkozy- President

8. FoodFood Each region in France has its own special foods. These foods are based on the produce available. People in the north use mainly dairy and butter products, while southern foods contain olive oil, tomatoes, and herbs. Along the coast, seafood is a very available food. Oysters are a favourite on the Atlantic coast. Also try some French wine, as that is what France is famous for. 30,000 tonnes of snails are eaten each year in France.

9. Economics What are France’s main industries? Frances main industries are Machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, textiles, food processing and tourism. What are the main exports? Machinery and transport equipment, aircrafts, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, irons and steels, also beverages such as wine. Why does France import and export particular goods? The economy of France has been carefully planned to provide support the international trade with a number of important products and countries. Around the world, France holds an important position as the third largest trader in the European Union after Germany then followed by the United Kingdom.

10. Customs of FranceCustoms of France When you’re introduced to a French person, you should say ‘good day, Sir/Madam’, and shake hands. Kissing- You shouldn’t kiss when first introduced to an adult, although young children are a exception. (Note that men kiss women and women kiss women but men don’t kiss men, unless they’re relatives or very close friends.) If you’re invited to dinner by a French person (which is a sign that you’ve been accepted into the community), take along a small present of flowers, a plant or chocolates.

11. France is the largest country of West Europe. It is 151,458 square km. This is 13 times larger than The Netherlands. Highest point: Mont Blanc. Also the highest peak in the Alps and Western Europe. 4,807 m Lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m 4,807 m The Loire river is the longest river in France –its 634 miles long.

12. Bastille Day and Recent Events Bastille Day is celebrated in France on the 14 th of July every year. It celebrates the storming of Bastille in 1790. Recent Events include: Tour de France, the annual bicycle race. French Open- 2009

13. France has 477 airports. To enter France you need a current Passport and also a Visa. Doctors In France are busy, and generally expensive. Don’t forget before you go, to exchange your money at the airport, because France doesn’t use Australian Dollars It will take you around twenty hours to get to France from Australia Australia is 8 hours in front of France e.g. if it is 10.am in Australia then it will be 2am in France. Travel Information

14. OTHER INFORMATION A quarter of France is forest. Paris’s longitude and latitude is 48° North and 2 ° East. France has 43,073,482 more people than Australia. The Currency of France is Euro and CPF Franc. They drive on the right side of the road. The name “France” comes from Latin Francia which literally means “land of Franks”, or “Frankland.” France is the number 1 tourist destination on the planet. One Australian dollar = 0.7375 English Franc

15. SAOIRSE AND SARAH’S EXPO!