France in the world

You may not know that France is not only the hexagonal territory of Western Europe but that the French Republic includes:

The metropolis which is divided into twenty-two regions and ninety-six departments.

Four French Overseas Department:

• The Island of Guadeloupe
• The Island of Martinique
• French Guyana
• The Island of Réunion

Four French Overseas Territories :

• French Polynesia
• New-Caledonia
• Wallis & Futuna
• French Southern & Antarctic territories

Territorial communities with special status:

• The Departmental Collectivity of Mayotte
• The Territorial Community of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

France on the international stage

Even though France is a small country it plays a major role on the international political scene.

It is present in the European and global events. It is important to keep in mind that France is :

• The 6th economic power in the world and member of the 'Group of Eight' (Go8) which includes the eight most economically powerful countries in the world.
• One of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
• Member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

It is a country of liberty since the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen”, was adopted in 1789.

• Each French citizen has the freedom of speech and freedom of thought. This principle has been notably illustrated through a number of strikes followed by millions of French citizens.
• Moreover, the asylum right may be requested, and the respect of the various cultures and foreign communities is preserved.

France in the European Union

France is the oldest European state and one of the founding countries of the European Union. The European Parliament's executive offices are located in Brussels and Strasbourg. France is member of the Council of Europe whose headquarters are in Strasbourg.

La Francophonie

One must distinguish "francophonie" (lowercase 'f') from Francophonie (uppercase 'F'). The "francophonie" gathers people together from different countries of the world who speak French partially or entirely in their daily life. Not only do they speak French as a common language, but they also share the French culture.

French is spoken by about 200 million people around the world and it is the mother tongue of the inhabitants in the following countries:

• France
• Quebec
• The French-speaking area of Ontario in Canada
• The Walloon region, and in Brussels, Belgium
• The Swiss French part (Romandie)
• The Aosta Valley
• The Principalty of Monaco

French is the second or third language in the Maghreb, in Sub-Saharan Africa, and in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
There are also French minorities in countries such as Lebanon or Rumania.
Nearly 100 million young people learn the French language during their studies in recognized institutions such as the 'Alliance Française' (AF) and in French high-schools.

The "Francophonie" itself, gathers the States and Governments which use the French language in their activities or exchanges. However, it is more commonly used for political than cultural purposes.