France

France, officially the French Republic (French: République française), is a country located in western Europe. With an area of 643,801 square kilometers and a population of over 67 million people, it is the world’s twenty-third largest nation by total area and twentieth most populous. Its capital city is Paris; other major urban areas include Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lille. France borders Belgium to the northeast; Luxembourg to the east; Germany to the east & northeast; Switzerland to its east; Italy & Monaco on its southeast border with Spain across from them both at Andorra’s Pyrenees Mountains. The overseas departments and regions also form part of France’s territory including Guadeloupe in Caribbean Sea ; Martinique Island near South America ; Reunion Island off Africa East Coast as well Mayotte island between Madagascar African coast . France has been a member of NATO since April 4th 1949 ,and was one founding members United Nations October 1945 along Britain USA Soviet Union China

The first known human inhabitants were Neanderthals who lived around 400 000 BP years ago according archaeological findings Châtelperronian culture dating back 45 000 – 35 000 BC In Roman times Gaul became province Rome until 5th century when Franks began migrating northward creating Frankish Kingdom which would eventually become modern day state after centuries foreign occupation invasions such those Vikings Magyars Normans Saracens Visigoths further strengthen national identity

The origins modern democracy can be traced back late 18th Century during French Revolution when ideals liberty equality fraternity triumphed monarchy Furthermore Constitutional Law 1791 established new government based these principles Napoleonic Wars followed revolution imposed many changes throughout European continent leading towards greater unified continental powers under Prussia Austria Russia alliance called Holy Alliance As result Congress Vienna met order settle European disputes reestablish balance power created German Confederation This period saw establishment colonial empire consisting Algeria Tunisia Morocco West Indies Mauritius Seychelles India Vietnam Laos Cambodia Cochin China

Today remains key influential political economic player international arena being fifth ranked economy terms GDP sixth trade volume Throughout history played significant role shaping global affairs especially through promotion cultural values promoting freedom rights education diplomacy peacekeeping military forces involvement numerous conflicts worldwide notably two World Wars currently taking active stance against terrorism religious extremism Most recently signed historic nuclear agreement Iran P5 1 group comprising five permanent UN Security Council Members plus Germany Moreover continues maintain close ties old rivals England while strengthening bonds newer allies such Poland Romania Bulgaria countries former Eastern Bloc Since 2000 entered into number treaties agreements aimed achieving deeper integration within EU framework These included Schengen Agreement Lisbon Treaty Maastricht Amsterdam Nice Treaties setting stage for current project “European unification”

Culturally speaking often considered birthplace high fashion cuisine art literature philosophy science gastronomy cinema Academie Francaise acts guardian language rules protects lexicon publishing only official dictionaries designing limits acceptable words phrases Numerous landmarks dot landscape Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Louvre Palace Versailles Arc de Triomphe Sacré Cœur Mont Saint Michel all iconic symbols proud heritage Finally strong literary tradition produced some greatest writers time Voltaire Rousseau Balzac Stendhal Flaubert Hugo Dumas Zola
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