France
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Capital
Paris
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Local time
20:27
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Population
67.26 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+33
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Currency
€ EUR (euro)
France
-
Capital
Paris
-
Local time
20:27
-
Population
67.26 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+33
-
Currency
€ EUR (euro)
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Average Salary
$ 3 374
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Petrol price
€ 1.79 pl
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Precipitation
867mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
640 679 km2
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Protected Area
25%
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Forest Area
31%
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Agricultural area
52%
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Railways
30013km
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Annual air passengers
65.36 m
Population
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Ethnicity
Celtic and Latin
Slavic
North African
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Religion
Roman Catholic - 85 %
Protestant - 2 %
Islam - 8 %
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Languages
French - 100 %
Breton
Alsatian
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Armed Forces
306 350
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Murders
2 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
11.6 l/person
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Smoking
29.8%
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Diabetes
5.3%
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Tuberculosis
8 per 100k
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HIV
0.4%
Economy
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Industries
machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, textiles, food processing, tourism
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Agriculture
wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes, beef, dairy products, fish
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Natural Resources
coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar
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Energy Import
43%
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Natural Resources
coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar
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Renewable Energy
13%
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CO2 Emissions
303 276kt
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Ease of Business
31 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
107
What not to do when visiting France
France Don't complain about how long it takes for your order in Cafes. For French, the social aspect of lingering over a coffee is the relaxing experience and part of the pleasure. If you are in push, order a cafe at the bar.
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France Don't take a bite from the whole piece of bread - tear your bread into a bite-sized piece before eating it. After each course, you should wipe your plate with a piece of bread.
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France Don't try to impress others with your wealth - it's seen as bad taste and not accepted as social status.
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Did you know?
A woman actually married the Eiffel Tower.
France Don't sit with legs spread apart - it's impolite in France.
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France Don’t ignore the possible security incidents - the French government has launched a free smartphone app to alert users about potential risks. It‘s called SAlP (Systeme d'alerte et d’information des populations), and it’s available in English and French - search ”SAlP” in your app market.
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France Don't eat with your hands.
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France Don't communicate across hierarchy lines. France is very hierarchical society, talk to the boss, do not waste tie talking to someone who is not responsible.
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France Don't expect ice when order a drink as the cafe won't have it. Parisians don't add ice to their drinks.
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Did you know?
Italy and France produce over 40% of all wine.
France Don't loosen your tie or take off your jacket in the office.
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France Don't forget to say "Bonjour Madame" and "au revoir", the French view their shops as an extension of their homes, so remember to say hello and goodbye.
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France Don't make a fist with one hand and slapping the top of it with the other hand - it's rude gesture in France.
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France Don't eat too much of the first course and avoid leaving food on your plate.
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France Don't start eating until the hostess says "Bon appetite".
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Did you know?
The first parachute jump from a plane was in 1918 over France.
France Don't forget to place your napkin in your lap immediately after being seated (if available) and keep your hands on the table. It's polite to make eye contact as you say, "sante", which means health.
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France Don't break the eye contact when conversing or proposing a toast in France - if you look away before you've clinked glasses with everyone, you're doomed to seven years of bad sex.
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France Don't start a talk with a Frenchman in English. The French take pride in their language and best way to show respect is to do your best to speak French, even it's just a badly pronounced word.
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France Don't address anyone using "tu" if you should have used "vous". Tu is informal, while vous is formal and shows the respect.
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France Don't present red carnations to your friends - this flower is believed to symbolize bad will in France.
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Did you know?
France consumes the most cheese per person.
France Don't order only one dish at a restaurant and don't drink soft drinks or coffee with a good meal, never ask fora doggy bag.
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France Don't cut your salad with a knife and fork in France - it's seen as bad etiquette.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
France Don't shake hands if you should exchange "la bise", the kiss on the cheek. After the first kiss on the cheek, the manoeuvre is repeated at least once on the opposite cheeks.
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France Don't be late for business or personal meetings. Punctuality is important, always inform the person who is waiting on you about your delay.
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France Don't try to get things done between noon and 2 pm, don't call anyone at 11:55 am either - the French will not accept your trying to push work into their lunch break, which is sacred.
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Did you know?
Women were not allowed to vote in France until 1944.
France Don't give flowers in even numbers, but not in 13 which is considered unluckily.
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France Don't be an easy target for pickpockets and petty crimes.
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France Don't put your hands on your lap - polite way is to sit with both hands visible on the table.
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France Don't bring wine to a dinner party - it can be taken as insult implying your host doesn't know proper wine to serve.
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France Don't touch the produce at Le Marché - just point to your selection and let the vendor pick it up for you.
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Did you know?
The word denim comes from 'de Nimes' or from Nimes which is a town in France.
France Don't expect waiter to bring you the bill - there's no pressure to turn tables and French like to hang out in cafes longer.
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France Don't ask for a doggie bag for taking food leftovers.
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France Don't bring chrysanthemums to a dinner party - they are associated with funerals and death.
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Western Europe Don't block the bike lanes and don't step into it.
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Europe Don’t forget to handshake when greeting (men). Women usually greet with light kisses on both cheeks (”air kisses” where you just touch cheeks and kiss the air), a handshake is common on first meeting. Eye contact is important.
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Europe Don't smack or slurp - it's not appreciated.
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Europe Don't avoid eye contact business and personal conversations. It's a sign of courtesy.
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Paris Don't rely on English language.
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Paris Don't forget to dress well.
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Europe Don't enter buses, trains or similar before everyone who wants to get out has done so.
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Europe Don't forget to wear reflectors when riding a bike or walking at dark.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Paris Don't speak loudly in the Metro.
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