France, officially called as the French Republic is a sovereign semi - presidential republic located in Western Europe. It has several abroad territories, islets, situated in other continents and in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean. In view of its geometric hexagonal shape, it is habitually called as “The Hexagon”. The Metropolitan France stretches from the Mediterranean Sea, towards the English Channel, as well as the North Sea, also from the Rhine toward the Atlantic Ocean.

France is the biggest western European country and it has the second biggest Exclusive Economic Zone, in the earth enveloping 11,035,000 km2 (4,260,000 sq mi) immediately, after to the United States (11,351,000 km2 / 4,383,000 sq mi).

Over more than five centuries, France is a main power possessing sturdy economic, cultural, political and military power in the Europe and the globe. Franc occupied larger parts of North America and South East Asia throughout the 17th and the 18th centuries. Likewise all through the 19th century and in the early part of the 20th century, France constructed the second biggest empire of time, as well as great portions of North, West and Central Africa, South East Asia and several Pacific and Caribbean isles .

France boasts of having the third biggest nominal military budget on earth, the third biggest military in NATO, and the biggest army in EU.

It is one of the United Nation’s founding members and is also a one among the 5 permanent members in the UN Security Council. France is also one of the founding and the foremost member of the European nation. It is also the biggest one by area.

Capital: Paris

Official language: French

Currency: Euro, CFP Franc

Religions: Catholic (51%), agnostic or atheists (31%), without any opinion or belonging to some other religions (10%), Muslims (4%), Protestants (3%), Buddhist (1%), Jewish (1%)

GMT: + 2 hrs

History of France

The earliest period of human inhabitation in France dates back to the roughly about 180,000 years back. During that period, the men led a nomadic life and were encountered by rough uneven climate.

During the later part of the glacial period, i.e., during 10,000 B.C, the rough climate got alleviated, and the inhabitants lead a sedentary life.

The earliest name of "Francie" was a derivative from the Franks pagan. They settled in the North Eastern part of Gaul. The Franks adopted the Christian Gallo- Roman heritage and the antique Gaul was gradually renamed as Francia (“Land of the Franks”).

During the 17th century, monarchy was at its peak; with the reign of King Louis XIV was the most powerful one. He was remembered for wagging the powerful wars and he was instrumental in making France as one of the leading powers in Europe. During this time, France had the biggest economy in Europe and had incredible influence on European economy, politics and culture and French became the most widely used language in the field of literature, science, diplomacy and international affairs.

On July 1789, the absolute monarchy came to an end, and instead a constitutional monarchy was established. By means of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, all the French citizens got the fundamental rights.

In the year 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte gained control of the Republic and he became the first consul and afterwards Emperor of the First Empire (1804–1814/1815).

In 1815, Napoleon was defeated into the battle of Waterloo, and the monarchy was reinstated with some constitutional restrictions.

Charles de Gaulle, the hero of World War I took part in all the major events during the 20th century. He became the French president and he assisted in decolonization and was largely responsible for making France as a major power.