For
a quick brief check The CIA Factbook | Conventional
long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique
Francaise local short form: France 22 regions
(regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne,
Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France,
Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays
de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes.
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| Although ultimately
a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire,
wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today
is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European
nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to
the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent
years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to
the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of the euro in
January 2002. At present, France is at the forefront of European states seeking
to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified
and capable European defense and security apparatus. |
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