France (pronounced /fræns/ or /frɑns/, French: [fʁɑ̃s]), officially the French Republic (French: République française, pronounced [ʁepyˈblik fʁɑ̃ˈsɛz]), is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various overseas islands and territories located in other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. French people often refer to Metropolitan France as L’Hexagone (The “Hexagon”) because of the geometric shape of its territory.
France is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain. Due to its overseas departments, France also shares land borders with Brazil and Suriname (bordering French Guiana) , and the Netherlands Antilles (bordering Saint-Martin). France is also linked to the United Kingdom by the Channel Tunnel, which passes underneath the English Channel.
France is a unitary semi-presidential republic. Its main ideals are expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. France was the world's foremost power from the latter half of the 17th century until the early 19th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries, France built one of the largest colonial empires of the time, stretching across West Africa and Southeast Asia, prominently influencing the cultures and politics of the regions. France is a developed country, with the sixth (nominal GDP) or eighth (PPP) largest economy in the world. It is the most visited country in the world, receiving over 79 million foreign tourists annually (including business visitors, but excluding people staying less than 24 hours in France). France is one of the founding members of the European Union, and has the largest land area of all members. France is also a founding member of the United Nations, and a member of the Francophonie, the G8, and the Latin Union. It is one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council; it is also an acknowledged nuclear power.
The name “France” comes from Latin Francia, which literally means “land of the Franks” or “Frankland”. There are various theories as to the origin of the name of the Franks. One is that it is derived from the Proto-Germanic word frankon which translates as javelin or lance as the throwing axe of the Franks was known as a francisca.
Another proposed etymology is that in an ancient Germanic language, Frank means free as opposed to slave. This word still exists in French as franc, it is also used as the translation of “Frank” and to name the local money, until the use of the euro in the 2000s.
However, rather than the ethnic name of the Franks coming from the word frank, it is also possible that the word is derived from the ethnic name of the Franks, the connection being that only the Franks, as the conquering class, had the status of freemen. In German, France is still called Frankreich, which literally means “Realm of the Franks”. In order to distinguish from the Frankish Empire of Charlemagne, Modern France is called Frankreich, while the Frankish Realm is called Frankenreich.
The word “Frank” had been loosely used from the fall of Rome to the Middle Ages, yet from Hugh Capet's coronation as “King of the Franks” (“Rex Francorum”) it became used to strictly refer to the Kingdom of Francia, which would become France. The Capetian Kings were descended from the Robertines, who had produced two Frankish kings, and previously held the title of “Duke of the Franks” (“dux Francorum”). This Frankish duchy encompassed most of modern northern France but because the royal power was sapped by regional princes the term was then applied to the royal demesne as shorthand. It was finally the name adopted for the entire Kingdom as central power was affirmed over the entire kingdom.
Western European countries. West Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Mediterranean Sea. Area 55 16 million square kilometers. Population 58 million (1995). Capital of Paris. Most of the plains. High-lying southeast, west and north of the low. Temperate maritime climate in most parts of the southeast coast of the Mediterranean climate. Developed economy. ∷ one of the world's industrial power and aerospace industry leader in the world. Large agricultural country and the world's major agricultural exporter. Wheat, sugar beet, grape production tops in the world, meat, milk production in the forefront of Western Europe. The world's major trading power. Tourism development.
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Best time to travel in France: France is in most parts of the marine climate of temperate broadleaf forest, southern subtropical Mediterranean climate. January average temperature in northern 1-7 ℃, South 6-8 ℃, 7 月 north of 16-18 ℃, the southern 20-23 ℃. France can really feel the coming of spring, when Easter is probably in April, but then still need to wear sweaters, jackets and other clothing. Generally do not have plum summer rainy season, the air is dry. There are dark clouds in the days of June, there will be some cold, should bring a sweater for contingencies. In July and August, the daytime temperatures reach 30 degrees. From spring to summer is the best season. Autumn - September, there began the fall atmosphere. Rain with a simple warm clothing, sweaters better. Winter - even in winter in November, and at short and the nights long, sunny day and not much time. Thick coat, wool sweaters and other warm clothing is a necessity. French Folk Festivals: important holiday National Day - July 14 day off. Urban and rural areas have a grand celebration in Paris on the Champs Elysees military parade held on a large scale. New Year's Day - Day 1 and meeting friends and relatives, gifts or money, New Year's Eve at home to drink light (or the coming year, was bad luck.) May International Labour Day - May 1 holiday a premature end. Lily of the valley flowers for the May Day tradition. The union held a large-scale demonstrations. Armistice Day - November 11 some units a day off. By the president or prime minister to the military hero and survived two world wars, the heroes Award. All Saints Day - November 1 holiday. Deceased loved ones pay tribute to the cemetery (with the Chinese Ching Ming Festival). Christmas - December 25 vacation days (in fact, since from the December 24 holiday has started, in addition to the weekend and New Year holidays, up to 10 prematurely.) Give each other cards and gifts, family reunion, Christmas dinner (Hong essential by wine), Christians go to church to attend on the mass. Easter - the vernal equinox the first Sunday after the full moon (March 22 April 25 Head of a day) leave for about a week. Travel, reunion, eating Easter eggs, give each other gifts. Ascension Day - May 1 to June feet at Q (more on Thursday) a day off. Pentecost - 50 days after the Easter holiday for two days. Annunciation Day - March 25 Back Assumption Day - August 15th (Catholic) August 27 (Orthodox) day off. France reminded: Currency: Money and Banking Hotels in France, banks and some stores, you can use major credit cards and traveler's checks. ATM: As long as personal password, you can withdraw money from the ATM using a credit card. ATM located in major shopping malls and urban fringe. Most operate 24 hours a day. Before leaving home, please clear your bank whether your card has this feature. Duty-free shopping Stay in France less than six months of non-European Union citizens, if any shops up to a certain amount be refunded to the consumption tax (tva). According to the classification of goods level, to recover the money from the 13-20.6% range. When shopping, please fill in the consumption tax returns clerk, and then leave France or be submitted to the Customs Union countries (you may have to produce the goods). Refund will be attached to your credit card number, or in a few weeks later mailed to you. Tip Almost all restaurants will have a 15% tax and service charge included in the price. If a restaurant is particularly good food or service, guests will usually pay 2 to 5 Euro tip. In the hotel, each piece of baggage have to pay 2 Euro Shoulder husband and the waitress about the tip. After the tour, visitors should also be a tour guide and driver tip. Communications and Internet cafes France's post offices are the standard post-la poste, open weekdays 8 am - 7 pm, weekends 8 am - 12 noon. In addition to general services, the main post offices can accept or issue international money orders, and provides fax, telex and coin and card phone services. In Paris, at 52 rue de louvre of the Post Office is the office 24 hours a day. You can also cafes, hotels and certain newsstands buy stamps. French cuisine: French is the world's most advanced food, has been well recognized. It is the delicate taste, the delicious sauces, cutlery display of gorgeous, simply be called an art. French people have high artistic taste of food, domestic numerous dishes, including foie gras, seafood, snails, cheese and so on. Each dish has its unique way of cooking, will make you salivate. In addition, the French also attached great importance to the wine, the vineyards of France, the distribution throughout the country, the annual production of red wine, white wine, champagne, etc. to meet the different dishes. In addition to brand-name fashion, perfume, but there are many other crafts. France has many villages still maintain the traditional hand-made pottery technology, glass Seiko, lace knitting and paper, which is rich in local color crafts a great gift as a souvenir. In France, a certain amount of purchase, you can enjoy 13% tva (additional price of plant tax) rebates. Refund procedure is very convenient, the details can be found shopping in the French Tourist Office or the firm, generally within 3 months after returning home can receive a refund of the allowance is very famous in France some items, such as: porcelain Limoges said; 布列塔尼蕾silk; Quimper porcelain, antiques; Paris and the "perfume capital" Glass perfume; Paris, scarves, artwork, shoes and other leather goods, silverware, sled; Jian pottery; Sevres porcelain; still Tilly Lace ; Perry Gore craft goods, painted silk; Baca Tam crystal; Tony Hug art. Will allow visitors to France to enjoy shopping. French Transport: International Of course, is the first choice to fly to France. Have been direct flights to Moscow, through Central Asia, East Asia, different routes. Most flights are landing at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, and some in the New Orleans airport. Now take a British Airways flight, after London (in addition to possible Greek) to fly directly to Nice airport, the people also increased the destination together. Domestic sncf is a societe national des chemins de fer francais (French railway company) for short. The main railway lines in France are operated by the sncf. The world's fastest tgv (high speed train), the speed really fast is amazing, is now operating line can be divided into three. One is the oldest tgv sud-est (Southeast route). To the main route from Paris to Lyon, the first link Ken Bo, Long Valley, the Alps, Provence and the Riviera tgv atlantique (Atlantic line), it is a transportation artery in western France. Finally, the latest tgv nord-europe northern and European lines. Connect Asia in addition to its ear and outside the major cities in northern France, through Europe, even to the Cross Harbour Tunnel train in London, has begun operations. In addition, expenditures from the beginning in the ear leading in Brussels, Belgium to Amsterdam, Cologne (koln, Germany), the line, making it a veritable "the main transport routes in Europe" closer to the day. North Station is the terminus of Paris. Travel by car Go no railway in the town, cars will be able to play its role. Many people think that the train by car is more than language issues, but after the ride, they find particularly easy. Call the car in France have autobus, bus, autocar, car, etc. Good variety. Most of the bus station in front of the station. Route is divided into many items as car, so make sure you want to go. Ticket to the driver in the car purchase, you must clear destination; If you take long trips, large luggage can be placed near the vehicle's trunk. By plane in France French domestic air travel is very cheap. For example, the first leg of travel is not Paris, but Marseille, Marseille, in Paris between a Beijing by plane to continue, is a smart way to save money, or from Paris to Corsica, if one-way plane ride, you can save a lot of time. Airlines in France a total of four. Are Air France (af), aom Air France (iw), and specialized flying domestic air inter europe (it), and tat Airlines (ij). af, ij and iw only fly domestic line, and it can join the 30 major cities in France. Accommodation in France: France hotel is its comfortable and provide services to classify, Cal, and by the direction de l'lndustrie touristique of the standard (from 1 ★ to 4 ★ l). As follows: l ★ ★ ★ ★ - very high, a luxury hotel; ★ ★ ★ ★ - advanced, comfortable hotel; ★ ★ ★ - very comfortable hotel; ★ ★ - comfortable hotel; hrt ★ - simple, with basic facilities and no star hotels (ht) level. Hotel price is based on double room basis, usually double the standard price is based on double occupancy, single room but often fully booked, the single person may live into double rooms. Most of the French house prices published by the hotel include service charge and taxes. Reception is generally first class or medium-sized hotel groups and some networking. In France, as many of these groups have Nianwu. Optional hotel accommodation in France, Castle, youth hostels, rural holiday homes, estates and castle-hotels, villas, houses and room rental, etc., Youth Hostel is a good choice. Youth Hostel Other accommodation centers In addition to auberge de jeuness, there centre d'accueil accommodation facilities such as the name of the young. Which in addition to and auberge de jeuness regular business in the same residential centers, there are only open during the tourist season and special university dormitory for international exchange and vocational training centers to stay open. Details can be learned only in the inquiry, cheap, big and comfortable rooms, equipment is very complete, the restaurant food is also very rich. Entertainment in France: French life is stressful, full of vitality, but there is so much fun pastime into a Division meditation places, such as city gardens, numerous museums, art galleries (Louvre, Orsay Museum, Museum of the shop refers to Chinese , Punta skin community arts center, etc.), street cafes, opera houses and costumed dance club Renaissance - red mill and Lido. France is the capital of international fashion and perfume, where filled with luxury boutiques, is known as a shopper's paradise ... ... There are more suitable for the Chinese duty-free shops printenps Paris Paris Paris Spring paristock image, benlux spot Starling; Language: store guiding discourse, method of payment: cash or visa.
