A Profile of France

Regions oFrance has 26 régions, which are further subdivided into départements.

Not large by North American standards (about the size of the state of Texas), France is nonetheless extremely diverse: it concentrates a wealth of scenery, regional identities each with their own particular joie de vivre defined by cultural and historic differences.

Through the years, France's stamp on western civilization has left an indelible mark in many domains and French savoir-faire remains a reference in the arts, politics, gastronomy, fashion and science.

French society likes formality in many aspects of everyday life as obligatory handshaking or cheek kissing ;-) , the use of the vous (rather then the familiar tu) and of titles when refering to a superior or a stranger and the concern about always dressing well.

Modern French politics remain characterized by a Left/Right division of the country even though the border between the two has been recently blurred. In the current Fifth Republic, begun by Charles de Gaulle, enormous executive power is given to the President, who is elected for seven years. His government is composed of a Council of Ministers, led by a Prime Minister.

Since the 1950's, French people have enjoyed the benefits of mass culture and consumerism. As the fourth economic power, France's standard of living and level of comsumption are very similar to those in the USA.

Urban life in a city such as Paris has become almost the same as in any other megapolis in the world.