All About France

Written by: Sitara Nair

Geography & People

Between latitudes 42° and 51° N, France lies in Western Europe, in a sort of hexagonal shape. Its borders include: Belgium and Luxembourg on the north side, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy on the east, and the south by the Mediterranean Sea, Spain, and Andorra. Stretching from the North Sea to the Mediterranean and from the Rhine to the Atlantic,  France covers about 551,500 km², which makes it Western Europe’s largest land area!! As of 2025 the republic counts roughly 66.7 million, 82 % of who live in cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, while its overseas regions add another two million people!

Government & Current Politics

In France, much like the United States, one of the highest people in government is the president. Today that leader is Emmanuel Macron, who was voted back into office in 2022. France’s “Congress,” called the National Assembly, has been busy arguing about money and when people should be allowed to retire, so the country switched prime ministers (the president’s main helper) four times in 2024. Overtime, the Prime Minister has gained power in the French government, and is still gaining stature. Throughout history, France has gone through significant government turmoil, but is slowly becoming more and more stable.

Economy

With a 2024 GDP of about US $3.3 trillion and a per‑capita income near US $49 k, France remains the world’s seventh‑largest economy. Services dominate (finance, tourism, luxury goods), in addition to global competitive aerospace, nuclear‑energy, and agricultural sectors. The IMF projects 0.8 % real growth for 2025 as Paris balances post‑pandemic recovery with green‑transition investments.​

Celebrations, Food, and Art

French food is world‑famous. Every day, bakers make long, crunchy loaves called baguettes. In 2022 UNESCO said the baguette’s traditional recipe and baking skills are so special they should be protected forever. There is also flaky croissants, tasty cheeses, and colorful macarons in France.​ Regarding Celebrations, On July 14 each year, the sky glows with fireworks for Bastille Day, France’s national holiday. It remembers a huge moment in 1789 when people in Paris stood up for freedom. Finally​ france is packed with lots of art! The Louvre Museum keeps the Mona Lisa and other famous paintings safe, while small town markets sell handmade crafts. Paris is also called the “Fashion Capital,” where designers show off new clothes each season. Ballet dancers glide across grand stages, and cartoon characters like Asterix and the Little Prince come from French books.

National Symbols

• National anthem: "La Marseillaise"

• National motto: Liberté, égalité, fraternité (Liberty, equality, fraternity)

• National dish: Pot-au-feu

• National animal: rooster

• National Flower: Fleur-de-lis

• National Sport: Football (soccer)

• National colors: blue, white, and red