Europe > France > Government

View full size

Administrative divisions 26 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy), Bourgogne (Burgundy), Bretagne (Brittany), Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse (Corsica), Franche-Comte, Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy), Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Martinique, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Reunion, Rhone-Alpes note: France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 4 overseas regions (including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 4 overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions)
Administrative divisions > A note metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
Administrative divisions > Note France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 4 overseas regions and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 4 overseas departments
Ambassadors from Finland > Current Finnish Ambassadors > Ambassador	Charles Murto
Ambassadors from Israel > Current Israeli Ambassadors > Israeli Ambassador	Daniel Shek
ambassadors to the United States > Ambassador	Jean-David Levitte
Capital city	Paris
Capital city > Daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	48 52 N, 2 20 E
Capital city > Name	Paris
Capital city > Note applies to metropolitan France only, not to its overseas departments, collectivities, or territories
Capital city > Time difference UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958; note: amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, 2003 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term; amended in 2005 to make the EU constitutional treaty compatible with the Constitution of France and to ensure that the decision to ratify EU accession treaties would be made by referendum
Copyright > Reference	Art. L123-1,
Corruption	7.5		[18th of 160]
Council of EU, 2001 > Country leader	Jacques Chirac
Council of EU, 2001 > Country votes	10		[2nd of 15]
Council of EU, 2001 > European party of leader	Ind.
Council of EU, 2002 > Country leader	Jacques Chirac
Council of EU, 2002 > Country votes	10		[2nd of 15]
Council of EU, 2002 > European party of leader EPP
Council of EU, 2003 > Country leader	Jacques Chirac
Council of EU, 2003 > Country votes	10		[2nd of 15]
Council of EU, 2003 > European party of leader EPP
Council of EU, 2005 > Country leader	Jacques Chirac
Council of EU, 2005 > Country votes	29		[3rd of 25]
Council of EU, 2005 > European party of leader EPP
Council of EU, 2006 > Country leader	Jacques Chirac
Council of EU, 2006 > Country votes	29		[3rd of 25]
Council of EU, 2006 > European party of leader EPP
Council of EU, 2007 > Country leader	Jacques Chirac
Council of EU, 2007 > Country votes	29		[3rd of 27]
Council of EU, 2007 > European party of leader EPP
Council of EU, January–April 2004 > Country leader	Jacques Chirac
Council of EU, January–April 2004 > Country votes	10		[2nd of 15]
Council of EU, January–April 2004 > European party of leader EPP
countries' copyright length > Usual term of copyright protection	70 pma
date of transition to republican system of government > Republic since	September 4, 1870
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Craig R. STAPLETON
Diplomatic representation from the US > Consulate(s) general	Marseille, Strasbourg
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX	[33] (1) 42 66 97 83
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	PSC 116, APO AE 09777
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone	[33] (1) 43-12-22-22
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission	Ambassador Pierre VIMONT
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX	[1] (202) 944-6166
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone	[1] (202) 944-6000
Elections > Head of state	Direct election
embassies and high commissions in Ottawa > Address	42 Sussex Drive
embassies and high commissions in Ottawa > Neighbourhood	Rockcliffe Park
Espionage organizations and agencies General Directorate of External Security, Central Directorate of General Intelligence, Directorate of Territorial Surveillance
European Council > Current composition of the European Council > Title	President
European Parliament constituency > Comparison with member states without constituencies > per Seat	803k
European Parliament constituency > Comparison with member states without constituencies > Seats	78		[3rd of 25]
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the president at the suggestion of the prime minister
Executive branch > Chief of state President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007)
Executive branch > Election results Nicolas SARKOZY wins the election; First Round: percent of vote - Nicolas SARKOZY 31.18%, Segolene ROYAL 25.87%, Francois BAYROU 18.57%, Jean-Marie LE PEN 10.44%, others 13.94%; Second Round: SARKOZY 53.1% and ROYAL 46.9%
Executive branch > Elections president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held 22 April and 6 May 2007 (next to be held spring 2012); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president
Executive branch > Head of government Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May 2007)
Fijian diplomatic missions > Foreign missions resident in Fiji > Head of Mission Ambassador Jean-Pierre Vidon
Fijian diplomatic missions > Foreign missions resident in Fiji > Type of mission	Embassy
Flag description three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas
Flag modification	20		[80th of 197]
foreign consulates in Edinburgh, Scotland > Consulate Address 11 Randolph Crescent, Edinburgh
Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment	April 24, 1992
Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment	April 20, 1949
General government final consumption expenditure > annual % growth	1.07 %		[88th of 147]
General government final consumption expenditure > constant 2000 US$	330,380,700,000 constant 2000 US$		[2nd of 145]
General government final consumption expenditure > constant 2000 US$ (per capita)	5,427.377 constant 2000 US$ per c		[7th of 146]
General government final consumption expenditure > constant LCU	358595200000
General government final consumption expenditure > current LCU	405596000000
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$	504,409,900,000 $		[2nd of 169]
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$ (per $ GDP)	0.237 $ per $1 of GDP		[18th of 184]
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$ (per capita)	8,286.266 $ per capita		[8th of 184]
Government type	republic
Heads of Missions from the United Kingdom Sir John Eaton Holmes
Heads of Missions from the United Kingdom > Resident Heads of Missions > Type	Embassy
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? > International comparisons > Electoral system	2 round
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? > International comparisons > Party system	Multi
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? > International comparisons > Strongly bicameral?	No
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? > International comparisons > Structure	Parliamentary
Independence 486 (Frankish tribes unified); 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire)
International organization participation ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat
Laws against Holocaust denial > Penalties for violation > Maximum	2 years
Laws against Holocaust denial > Penalties for violation > Minimum	Fine or 1 month
Legal origin French
Legal system civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (331 seats, 305 for metropolitan France, 9 for overseas departments, 5 for dependencies, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms; one third elected every three years); note - between 2006 and 2011, 15 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 348 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; starting in 2008, members will be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms, with one-half elected every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats, 555 for metropolitan France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for dependencies; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms)
Legislative branch > Election results Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 156, PS 97, UDF (now MoDem) 33, PCF 23, RDSE 15, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - UMP 46.37%, PS 42.25%, miscellaneous left wing parties 2.47%, PCF 2.28%, NC 2.12%, PRG 1.65%, miscellaneous right wing parties 1.17%, the Greens 0.45, other 1.24%; seats by party - UMP 313, PS 186, NC 22, miscellaneous left wing parties 15, PCF 15, miscellaneous right wing parties 9, PRG 7, the Greens 4, other 6
Legislative branch > Elections Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held in September 2008); National Assembly - last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held in June 2012)
National holiday Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July)
Parliamentary seats > Female	11%		[61st of 143]
Parties in the Council of the European Union > leaders > European > party EPP
Parties in the Council of the European Union > leaders > Leader	Jacques Chirac
Parties in the Council of the European Union > leaders > Votes	29		[3rd of 27]
political parties > Multi party	•
Political parties and leaders Democratic Movement or MoDem [Francois BAYROU] (previously Union for French Democracy or UDF); Democratic and Social European Rally or RDSE [Pierre LAFFITTE] (mainly Radical Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG); French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Greens [Cecile DUFLOT]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Jean-Michel BAYLET] (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG); Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; New Center or NC [Herve MORIN]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Republican and Citizen Movement or MRC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT and Georges SARRE]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [Patrick DEVEDJIAN, Jean-Claude GAUDIN, Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN, Pierre MEHAIGNERIE]; Radical Party [Jean-Louis BORLOO]
Political pressure groups and leaders Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT, left-leaning labor union with approximately 803,000 members; Confederation Generale des Cadres or CGC, independent white-collar union with 196,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail or CGT, historically communist labor union with approximately 700,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere or FO, independent labor union with an estimated 300,000 members; Mouvement des Entreprises de France or MEDEF, employers' union with 750,000 companies as members (claimed)
Prime minister	Dominique de Villepin
Procedures to build a warehouse > number	10		[160th of 168]
Procedures to build a warehouse > number (per capita)	0.164 per 1 million people		[157th of 170]
Procedures to enforce a contract > number	21		[154th of 170]
Procedures to enforce a contract > number (per capita)	0.345 per 1 million people		[159th of 171]
Procedures to register property > number	9		[18th of 167]
Procedures to register property > number (per capita)	147.849 per 1 billion people		[138th of 167]
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament > %	12.2 %		[100th of 174]
Secession attempts Corsica, the Bretons, the Alsatians
Stabilisation and Association process > Croatia	4.6.2003
Stabilisation and Association process > Stabilisation and Association process > Republic of > Macedonia	4.6.2003
Start-up procedures to register a business > number	7		[136th of 171]
Start-up procedures to register a business > number (per capita)	0.115 per 1 million people		[153rd of 171]
Status democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Time required to build a warehouse > days	155 days		[107th of 168]
Time required to enforce a contract > days	331 days		[131st of 171]
Time required to register property > days	183 days		[23rd of 167]
Time required to start a business > days	8 days		[161st of 171]
Time to prepare and pay taxes > hours	128 hours		[134th of 169]
Time to resolve insolvency > years	1.9 years		[118th of 151]
Total businesses registered > number	2,498,100		[10th of 71]
Total businesses registered > number (per capita)	41.528 per 1 million people		[31st of 83]
Trademarks, nonresidents	2,935		[18th of 99]
Trademarks, nonresidents (per capita)	0.049 per 1 million people		[57th of 146]
Trademarks, residents	57,784		[6th of 98]
Trademarks, residents (per capita)	0.961 per 1 million people		[12th of 142]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia
UN membership date	24 Oct. 1945
United Nations mission http://www.un.int/france/frame_anglais/accueil_frame/accueil_ang.htm
Washington, D.C. embassies > Neighborhood Georgetown

Related links:

• Forum discussion > Government
• Looking for Stats on the American Government? Check out StateMaster
• Stay updated with current stat feeds! Subscribe to the Government RSS / Atom feeds
•  Subscribe to our popular Government factoids RSS / Atom feeds
• Save this page on  del.icio.us / furl / your bookmarks

More facts and figures on France