In its Constitution, France declares itself to be an indivisible, laïque (roughly, "secular") democratic and social republic. France's constitution enacts a separation of powers as well as the respect for a number of constitutional rights.
France is the European Union's leading agricultural producer, accounting for about one-third of all agricultural land within the EU. Northern France is characterized by large wheat farms. Dairy products, pork, poultry, and apple production are concentrated in the western region. Beef production is located in central France, while the production of fruits, vegetables, and wine ranges from central to southern France. France is a large producer of many agricultural products and is currently expanding its forestry and fishery industries. The implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Uruguay Round of the GATT Agreement have resulted in reforms in the agricultural sector of the economy.
Napoleon Bonaparte seized control of the republic in 1799, making himself First Consul. His armies engaged in several wars across Europe, conquered many countries and established new kingdoms with Napoleon's family members at the helm. Following his defeat in 1815, the French monarchy was re-established, which was then legislatively abolished and followed by a Second Republic in 1848. The Second Republic ended when the late Emperor's nephew, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte was elected President and proclaimed a Second Empire in 1852. Less ambitious than his uncle, the second Napoleon was also ultimately unseated, and republican rule returned for a third time in the Third Republic (1870).
The midpoint of the Third Republic was known as the belle époque in France, a golden time of beauty, innovation, and peace with its European neighbors. New inventions made life easier at all social levels, the cultural scene thrived, cabaret, cancan, and the cinema were born, and art took new forms with Impressionism and Art Nouveau. The glory of this turn-of-the-century period came to an end with the outbreak of World War I.
Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France - much like Britain - suffered extensive losses in its empire, comparative economic status, working population, and status as a dominant nation-state. Since 1958, it has constructed a semi-presidential democracy (known as the Fifth Republic) that has not succumbed to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more parliamentary regimes.
Traditionally, decision-making in France was highly centralized, with each of France's departments headed by a prefect appointed by the central government. In 1982, the national government passed legislation to decentralize authority by giving a wide range of administrative and fiscal powers to local elected officials. In March 1986, regional councils were directly elected for the first time, and the process of decentralization continues, albeit at a slow pace.
Statute legislation may be proposed by the government (i.e. the council of ministers), or by members of parliament. In the first case, it is a projet de loi, in the latter case, a proposition de loi. All projets de loi must undergo compulsory advisory review by the Conseil d'État before being submitted to parliament. Propositions de loi cannot increase the financial load of the state without providing for funding.
Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the North Sea, and from the Rhine River to the Atlantic Ocean; it is bordered by the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain. The French Republic also shares land borders overseas with Brazil, Suriname, and the Netherlands.
France has a system of civil law, but jurisprudence plays an important role similar to that of case law. France uses a civil law system; that is, law arises primarly from written statutes; judges are supposed not to make law, but to merely interpret it (though the amount of judge interpretation in certain areas makes it equivalent to case law). Many fundamental principles of French Law were laid in the Napoleonic Codes. Basic principles of the rule of law were laid in the Napoleonic Code: laws can only address the future and not the past (ex post facto laws are prohibited); to be applicable, laws must have been officially published (see Journal Officiel).
Today, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European political, defence and security apparatus.
Citizens from all parts of France, including overseas possessions, vote in national elections (presidential, legislative) and are represented to the Senate. Contrary to other countries such as the United States, there is not a two-tiered system whereby some parts of the territory have the right to vote in national elections, and some do not.
Under the constitution, the president was originally elected for a seven year term; this has been reduced to five years. The president names the prime minister, presides over the cabinet, commands the armed forces, and concludes treaties. The president may submit questions to national referenda and can dissolve the National Assembly. In certain emergencies, the president may assume special, comprehensive powers.
The capital and most populous city, Paris, is one of the most famous and beautiful cities in the world, and home to numerous historical buildings and monuments.
The May 1958 seizure of power in Algiers by French army units and French settlers opposed to concessions in the face of Arab nationalist insurrection led to the fall of the French government and a presidential invitation to de Gaulle to form an emergency government to forestall the threat of civil war. Swiftly replacing the existing constitution with one strengthening the powers of the presidency, he became the elected president in December of that year, inaugurating France's Fifth Republic.
Dirigisme came to be highly contested in the 1980s, with complaints of bureaucracy and lack of reactivity to new challenges. As a result the government largely retreated from economic intervention; Dirigisme has now essentially receded. Despite significant reform and privatization over the past 15 years, the government continues to control a large share of economic activity: Government spending, at 53% of GDP in 2000, is the highest in the G-7. Labour conditions and wages are highly regulated. The government continues to own shares in corporations in a range of sectors, including banking, energy production and distribution, automobiles, transportation, and telecommunications.
1.
AirFrance.co.uk | Book flights to France, USA and Europe from London.Book cheap flights, car hire and hotels to France, Europe and the US from London airports. Get direct flights, cheap car hire, hotel offers and air travel deals online.
2.
Air FranceOfficial site featuring online booking, trip planning, and flight information.
3.
Air France: Flights, Cheap tickets to Paris, France and Europe lowest ...Check out all the latest news on AIR FRANCE KLM, and the Flying Blue programme. Hide ... FAQ | Site map | About Air France | Legal notices | klm.com ...
4.
Buy "Air France" Art Print at AllPosters.co.ukShop for travel art prints like the "Air France" at AllPosters.co.uk. Choose from 300,000 Posters & Prints, Designer-Framed Prints, Canvas Transfers and More.
5.
France From The Air at AbeBooksGreat titles like France From The Air available at AbeBooks UK.
6.
Air France Concorde - Nextag.co.ukCompare Cheap Prices for Air France Concorde at NexTag.co.uk. Shop for Bargain Deals in Computers, Electronics, Home Furnishings, Clothing, Entertainment,
7.
Air France on eBay.co.ukeBay.co.uk offers great deals on items related to Air France. ... CONCORDE AIR FRANCE DOUBLE FLOWN MONTREAL TO PARIS 1975, ends Aug-18 12:33 BST. ...
8.
Air France - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRégional, Air France's regional airline subsidiary operates the ... 1.1 Air France-KLM merger. 1.2 New transatlantic profit and revenue sharing joint venture ...
9.
Air France by Geoff Jones at Tesco BooksBuy Air France by Geoff Jones for only £18.99 at Tesco.com. Tesco's has thousands of other books for you to get stuck into, all at great prices
10.
Air France Voucher Codes, Air France Discount Codes, AirFranceUse Air France Discount Codes, AirFrance Voucher Codes and Air France Promotional Codes at Codes. ... Air France Voucher Codes, Discount Airfrance Promotional ...
11.
Air Hotel, Le Blanc-Mesnil - Reviews - TripAdvisorSee traveler reviews, candid photos, and great deals for Air Hotel, ranked #5 of 8 hotels in Le Blanc-Mesnil and rated 2.5 of 5 at TripAdvisor.
12.
Online booking for Plein Air Pyrenees Farmhouse in Lortet, FranceHostelBookers: to be sure to book the best hostels in Lortet, France at the cheapest price. Address: La Garle, Lortet 65250, France. 24 hour hot showers: Yes. 24...
13.
home pageCheck out all the latest news on AIR FRANCE KLM, and the Flying Blue programme. Hide ... All the benefits of Air France service for all ages, whether they are ...
14.
Find holiday houses for rent in Cote d'Azur at Property IndexRent L'Air Marin in Cote d'Azur from only £4710 p/w. Property Index has many houses available to rent all over the world. Find your holiday home now
15.
Air Conditioner Danby Diplomat - ShopzillaCompare prices on Air Conditioner Danby Diplomat and other Appliances at Shopzilla.co.uk. Shop and find the lowest prices on products from online merchants for summer.
16.
Air France: Flights, Cheap tickets to Paris, France and Europe lowest ...you can book and purchase tickets directly online to more than 500 destinations within the Air France worldwide network.
17.
Air FranceSGS ICS certifies Air France for its service commitments at all stages of its ... Air France, as a member of this association, must comply with the 14 commitments ...
18.
Air France-KLM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAir France-KLM (Euronext: AF, AFA), is a European airline holding company ... Air France-KLM is member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. ...
19.
United Airlines - Official UK Site Search for flights and compare fares with United Airlines. Discover discounted Internet fares when you book online. Find great deals on flights to the US and beyond.
20.
Royal Bel Air Hotel ParisGet a lower rate guaranteed on the Royal Bel Air Hotel Paris hotel in Paris, France. Reserve now and save up to 70% on your reservation.
21.
Air France Group | Article01-OCT-01 - Air France Group continued to outperform its largest European rivals as it reported a consolidated profit of [euro]195 million ($173... | Free With Signup
22.
www.booking.com - Hotels near Bel-Air, France...Search for hotels in Bel-Air, France. Discounted hotel rooms at BOOKING.COM...
23.
Air France - Chicago, Illinois (IL) | Company InformationAir France - Chicago, Illinois (IL) company profile information. Find contact info, company address, company history, qualify leads, & premium business reports
24.
Flights, cheap tickets to Paris, France and Europe lowest fares ...Check out all the latest news on AIR FRANCE KLM, and the Flying Blue programme. Hide ... All the benefits of Air France service for all ages, whether they are ...
25.
w3.airfrance.com26.
Air Hotel Le Blanc MesnilTake advantage of Hotel Club's online specials for huge discounts on the Air Hotel Le Blanc Mesnil hotel in Paris Suburbs, France.
27.
Air France Cargo - E-services - TrackingTo determine shipment status, please enter the airwaybill number and click ... Site map | Terms & Conditions | Contacts | Other Air France sites | KLM Cargo ...
28.
Article: Air France Partnered With Ibm. - Travel Agent07/2001 "Air France Partnered With Ibm." Credit Card Req'd - Free Trial. Academic Journal Articles, Magazine Articles, Newspaper Archives and more at HighBeam.com.
29.
Air France SingaporeCheck out all the latest news on AIR FRANCE KLM, and the Flying Blue programme. Hide ... Air France offers you assistance adapted to your needs. ...
30.
Worldwide Travel Tickets, Cheap Airline Flights & Low Cost Air Fares.Flights - worldwide travel specialist in the mid and long-haul travel arena offering cheap airline tickets, low cost Air fares from ebookers
31.
02-DEC-02 | Air France Maintains Its Profit TargetsPrice: $4.95 | Air France is maintaining its profit targets in spite of the poor health of air transport and has reiterated its goal of playing a lead role in...
32.
FT.com News l Air France eyes joint venture with merged carrierAir France-KLM is aiming to use the planned merger of Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL - News) and Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ: NWAC - News) to build a long-term joint...
33.
Air France InformationAir France. Destinations. Paris (Charles De Gaulle), Lyon. Reservations. 0870 142 4343 ... Visit Air France website ©2005-2006 Birmingham International Airport Ltd. ...
34.
Air France: Flights, best deals to Paris, Europe and USA lowest fares ...Check out all the latest news on AIR FRANCE KLM, and the Flying Blue programme. Hide ... All the benefits of Air France service for all ages, whether they are ...
35.
air franceCheck out all the latest news on AIR FRANCE KLM, and the Flying Blue programme. Hide ... Did you find a cheaper Air France ticket on another Internet site? ...
36.
Fly Furthertickets from Dublin to any destination on the Air France network ... Although Air France makes every effort to provide users with available and ...
37.
Château Du Breuil, Cheverny, France: Online BookingHotel category: 3 stars. In the heart of the Loire Valley Château country is a charming hotel with a welcoming and restful air, situated in a 30 hectare park. The...
38.
Camping in France with Matthews Holidays - family self-drive mobile ...Camping in France with Matthews Holidays, we offer superb deals for family mobile home ... Click on the region of France that you want to visit and ...
39.
Air France Reviews and Passenger Opinions about Air France product and ...However Air France refused to pay when the bills were sent in citing the ... The letter ended that they hoped my next experience with Air France would be better. ...
40.
Air France FFC on eBayShop at eBay for great deals on Air France FFC items. ... FRANCE 1952 CONSTELLATION FFC AIR FRANCE ... FFC AIR FRANCE PARIS-CARACAS, ends Aug-20 5:12 am PDT. ...
Air France and France online resources.