Madison's+European+Nation+Profile

=France = toc

France is located in Eastern Europe. The country of France is slightly smaller than state of Texas. France’s food is definitely considered one of the best in the world. The French also enjoy the yearly bike race called the Tour De France. The Tour De France attracts many yearly visitors to France. France’s economy is an industrial economy, which allows its citizens to enjoy the benefits of economic prosperity.

Food
The French have set very high standards with their food since the early 1700s. France’s fertile soil is a main component in their rich agricultural diversity. Southern France is best known for having the best wine making grapes. Northern France is where wheat is grown. Other crops include fresh fruit, veggies, herbs, and grain. Meat is another very important aspect in French food. France’s chief meat animal is the beef cattle. However, the large-scale production of lambs, sheep, and hogs are expanding. Fresh crops and meat make for delicious French cuisine.  French food is traditional as well as modern. The many regions of France have their own specialties. The city of Brittany is famous for their delectable crepes with cider (I have had these, they are very good.) Alsace’s specialty is la choucroute, which is cabbage with pieces of sausage. Lotte fish is only found in one place, the Loire River Valley. Traditional French food will change with time, but a few dishes will always stay the same. One of the most popular French appetizers is escargot, snails in a garlic butter sauce. The baguette is considered the most important part of all French meals. On special occasions the French eat bread dipped in cheese sauce. This is called la fondue. The French have many delicacies that will never change for years to come.

Economy
French people have a high standard of living. France’s economy is a mixed economy of both both private and public sectors. A private sector is privately owned. A public sector is owned and operated by the government. France began to modernize their economy in 1945, after World War II. Before World War II France’s economy was based mostly on small farms and businesses. Today, many French businesses are privately owned. Throughout the years France’s economy continues to improve and develop. France’s industrial economy allows its people to enjoy the advantages of economic abundance. France is one of Europe’s highest agricultural producers. France is one of the world leaders in the production of wine, milk, butter, cheese, barley, and wheat. About one-third of France’s land is farmable. There are many industries besides agriculture in France. Some major industries include aircraft, food processing, chemicals, and textiles. France’s major exports include plastics, iron, beverages, machinery, and transportation equipment. New technologies will allow French industries to become more advanced in the future.

 France is one of the 23 countries that use the euro. France is part of the European Union (EU). Only 17 of the 27 members of the EU are part if the euro zone. The euro is the official currency in 11 countries including France. The euro is one of the most powerful currencies in the world. The euro is used by more than 320 million Europeans today. The euro has changed the continent of Europe and the country of France forever.

Since these European economies are now tied together, France’s economy is affected by other countries that are having economic problems, like Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal. It will be interesting see what happens in the near future.

Recreation
The French enjoy team sports as well as individual sports. Team sports in France are much the same as the ones in America. The French enjoy basketball, tennis, and soccer. Soccer, or football, is France’s national sport. In 1998 France won the FIFA World Cup. The French also enjoy a variety of individual sports. French people enjoy mountain biking, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, biking, and many more. A few well known French athletes include Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Jean Claude Killy, and many others. French people are very athletic and determined to be the best they can be.  France has many different recreational activities, but is best known for its yearly cycling race, the Tour De France. The Tour De France is one of the most difficult bike races in the world. The event lasts for three weeks. Every year it starts in a different city in France, but it always ends in Paris. It includes about 200 cyclists. Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the Tour De France. The winner last year was Cadel Evans from Australia. Last year’s course included 21 profiles (stages.) These stages included ten flat stages, six mountain stages, four summit finishes, three medium mountain stages, one individual time trail stage, and one team time trail stage. The total length of last years course was 3430.5 km. The Tour De France is one of France’s great traditions that will continue for years to come.

References
__CultureGrams Online Database: Subscriber Area Only__. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?contid=5>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">"The Difference Between the Private and Public Sector - PrivacySense.net." __PrivacySense.net - Privacy Resources for Individuals and Businesses__. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.privacysense.net/difference-between-private-public-sector/>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">"Food in France - French Food, French Cuisine - traditional, popular, dishes, recipe, diet, history, common, meals, main, people, make, customs, fruits, country, bread, vegetables, bread, typical, eating." __Food in Every Country__. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/France.html>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">"France :: Sports and recreation -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." __Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia__. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/215768/France/237251/Sports-and-recreation>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">"France Country Page." __U.S. Department of State__. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/fr/>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">"France: Economy — Infoplease.com." __Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com__. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0858212.html>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__France in Australia - French Property, Travel, Food__. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.frenchdesire.com.au/>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Tour de France - 2012__. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.letour.fr/us/index.html>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Bednarz, Sarah Witham __World Cultures And Geography.__ Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2003