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Compare France (2001) - Korea, North (2001)

Compare France (2001) z Korea, North (2001)

 France (2001)Korea, North (2001)
 FranceKorea, North
Administrative divisions 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

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)
9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 3 special cities* (si, singular and plural); Chagang-do (Chagang Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (Kaesong City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Namp'o-si* (Namp'o City), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (P'yongyang City), Yanggang-do (Yanggang Province)
Age structure 0-14 years:
18.68% (male 5,698,604; female 5,426,838)

15-64 years:
65.19% (male 19,424,018; female 19,399,588)

65 years and over:
16.13% (male 3,900,579; female 5,701,600) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
25.52% (male 2,873,390; female 2,733,163)

15-64 years:
67.63% (male 7,301,531; female 7,556,554)

65 years and over:
6.85% (male 486,805; female 1,016,785) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs
Airports 475 (2000 est.) 87 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
268

over 3,047 m:
14

2,438 to 3,047 m:
30

1,524 to 2,437 m:
94

914 to 1,523 m:
72

under 914 m:
58 (2000 est.)
total:
39

over 3,047 m:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
26

1,524 to 2,437 m:
8

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
207

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
73

under 914 m:
130 (2000 est.)
total:
48

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
24

914 to 1,523 m:
13

under 914 m:
8 (2000 est.)
Area total:
547,030 sq km

land:
545,630 sq km

water:
1,400 sq km

note:
includes only metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative divisions
total:
120,540 sq km

land:
120,410 sq km

water:
130 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of Colorado slightly smaller than Mississippi
Background 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 advent of the euro in January 1999. Presently, 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. Following World War II, Korea was split into a northern, communist half and a southern, Western-oriented half. KIM Chong-il has ruled North Korea since his father and the country's founder, president KIM Il-song, died in 1994. After decades of mismanagement, the North relies heavily on international food aid to feed its population, while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and research into nuclear and chemical weapons are of major concern to the international community.
Birth rate 12.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 19.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$210 billion

expenditures:
$240 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Paris P'yongyang
Climate generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
Coastline 3,427 km 2,495 km
Constitution 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993 adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 and September 1998
Country name conventional long form:
French Republic

conventional short form:
France

local long form:
Republique Francaise

local short form:
France
conventional long form:
Democratic People's Republic of Korea

conventional short form:
North Korea

local long form:
Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk

local short form:
none

note:
the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to their country

abbreviation:
DPRK
Currency French franc (FRF); euro (EUR)

note:
on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in France at a fixed rate of 6.55957 French francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
North Korean won (KPW)
Death rate 9.09 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $106 billion (1998) $12 billion (1996 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate Howard H. LEACH; Charge d'Affaires Douglas L. McELHANEY

embassy:
2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08

mailing address:
PSC 116, APO AE 09777

telephone:
[33] (1) 43-12-22-22

FAX:
[33] (1) 42 66 97 83

consulate(s) general:
Marseille, Strasbourg
none (Swedish Embassy in P'yongyang represents the US as consular protecting power)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Francois V. BUJON DE L'ESTANG

chancery:
4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone:
[1] (202) 944-6000

FAX:
[1] (202) 944-6166

consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
none; note - North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, headed by YI Hyong-chol
Disputes - international Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and French Guiana; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu 33-km section of boundary with China in the Paektu-san (mountain) area is indefinite; Demarcation Line with South Korea
Economic aid - donor ODA, $6.3 billion (1997) -
Economic aid - recipient - $NA; note - an estimated $200 million to $300 million in humanitarian aid from US, South Korea, Japan, and EU in 1997 plus much additional aid from the UN and non-governmental organizations; substantial continuing humanitarian aid, 1998-2000
Economy - overview France is in the midst of transition, from an economy that featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government remains dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries, but it has been relaxing its control since the mid-1980s. The Socialist-led government has sold off part of its holdings in France Telecom, Air France, Thales, Thomson Multimedia, and the European Aerospace and Defense Company (EADS). The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. The government has done little to cut generous unemployment and retirement benefits which impose a heavy tax burden and discourage hiring. It has also shied from measures that would dramatically increase the use of stock options and retirement investment plans; such measures would boost the stock market and fast-growing IT firms as well as ease the burden on the pension system, but would disproportionately benefit the rich. In addition to the tax burden, the reduction of the work week to 35-hours has drawn criticism for lowering the competitiveness of French companies. North Korea, one of the world's most centrally planned and isolated economies, faces desperate economic conditions. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment and spare parts shortages. The nation faces its seventh year of food shortages because of weather-related problems, including major drought in 2000, and chronic shortages of fertilizer and fuel. Massive international food aid deliveries have allowed the regime to escape the major consequence of spreading economic failure, such as mass starvation, but the population remains vulnerable to prolonged malnutrition and deteriorating living conditions. Large-scale military spending eats up resources needed for expanding investment and consumption goods. In 2000, the regime placed emphasis on expanding foreign trade links, embracing modern technology, and attracting foreign investment, but in no way at the expense of relinquishing central control over key national assets or undergoing market-oriented reforms.
Electricity - consumption 398.752 billion kWh (1999) 26.598 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 68.7 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 5 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 497.26 billion kWh (1999) 28.6 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
9.69%

hydro:
14.39%

nuclear:
75.43%

other:
0.49% (1999)
fossil fuel:
34.62%

hydro:
65.38%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Rhone River delta -2 m

highest point:
Mont Blanc 4,807 m
lowest point:
Sea of Japan 0 m

highest point:
Paektu-san 2,744 m
Environment - current issues some forest damage from acid rain (major forest damage occurred as a result of severe December 1999 windstorm); air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water-borne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
party to:
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified:
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese
Exchange rates euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996) official: North Korean won per US dollar - 2.15 (May 1994), 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3 (December 1989); market: North Korean won per US dollar - 200
Executive branch chief of state:
President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)

head of government:
Prime Minister Lionel JOSPIN (since 3 June 1997)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 23 April and 7 May 1995 (next to be held by May 2002); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president

election results:
Jacques CHIRAC elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 52.64%, Lionel JOSPIN (PS) 47.36%
chief of state:
KIM Chong-il (since NA July 1994); note - in September 1998, KIM Chong-il was reelected Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded the nation's "highest administrative authority"; KIM Yong-nam was named President of the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium and given the responsibility of representing the state and receiving diplomatic credentials

head of government:
Premier HONG Song-nam (since 5 September 1998)

cabinet:
Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly

elections:
premier elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA)

election results:
HONG Song-nam elected premier; percent of Supreme People's Assembly vote - NA%
Exports $325 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $520 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments); agricultural and fishery products
Exports - partners EU 63% (Germany 16%, UK 10%, Spain 9%, Italy 9%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8%), US 8% (1999) Japan 28%, South Korea 21%, China 5%, Germany 4%, Russia 1% (1995)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); 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 three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.448 trillion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $22 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
3.3%

industry:
26.1%

services:
70.6% (1999)
agriculture:
30%

industry:
42%

services:
28% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $24,400 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3.1% (2000 est.) -3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 46 00 N, 2 00 E 40 00 N, 127 00 E
Geography - note largest West European nation strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated
Heliports 3 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
892,900 km

paved:
892,900 km (including 9,900 km of expressways)

unpaved:
0 km (1999)
total:
31,200 km

paved:
1,997 km

unpaved:
29,203 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
2.8%

highest 10%:
25.1% (1995)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment point for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics -
Imports $320 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $960 million (c.i.f., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment; consumer goods, grain
Imports - partners EU 62% (Germany 16%, Belgium-Luxembourg 11%, Italy 9%, UK 8%), US 7% (2000 est.) China 33%, Japan 17%, Russia 5%, South Korea 4%, Germany 3% (1995)
Independence 486 (unified by Clovis) 15 August 1945 (from Japan)
Industrial production growth rate 3.5% (2000 est.) NA%
Industries machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism
Infant mortality rate 4.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 23.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.7% (2000 est.) NA%
International organization participation ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC ARF (dialogue partner), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 62 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 16,300 sq km (1995 est.) 14,600 sq km (1993 est.)
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 Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly)
Labor force 25 million (2000) 9.6 million
Labor force - by occupation services 71%, industry 25%, agriculture 4% (1997) agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%
Land boundaries total:
2,889 km

border countries:
Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km
total:
1,673 km

border countries:
China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km
Land use arable land:
33%

permanent crops:
2%

permanent pastures:
20%

forests and woodland:
27%

other:
18% (1993 est.)
arable land:
14%

permanent crops:
2%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
61%

other:
23% (1993 est.)
Languages French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) Korean
Legal system civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majoritarian system to serve five-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held September 2001); National Assembly - last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA May 2002)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 99, UDC 52, DL 47, PS 78, PCF 16, other 29; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PS 245, RPR 140, UDF 109, PCF 37, PRS 13, MEI 8, MDC 7, LDI-MPF 1, FN 1, various left 9, various right 7
unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - the KWP approves a single list of candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few seats
Life expectancy at birth total population:
78.9 years

male:
75.01 years

female:
83.01 years (2001 est.)
total population:
71.02 years

male:
68.04 years

female:
74.15 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
99%

male:
99%

female:
99% (1980 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write Korean

total population:
99%

male:
99%

female:
99% (1990 est.)
Location Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
Map references Europe Asia
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM (does not apply to the Mediterranean)

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea:
12 NM

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

note:
military boundary line 50 NM in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned
Merchant marine total:
46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 942,333 GRT/1,304,754 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 3, cargo 4, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk 1, container 1, liquefied gas 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 17, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 3

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1 (2000 est.)
total:
110 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 661,792 GRT/903,367 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 4, cargo 94, combination bulk 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (2000 est.)
Military branches Army (includes Marines), Navy (includes Naval Air), Air Force (includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Security Forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure $39.831 billion (FY97) $3.7 billion to $4.9 billion (FY98 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.5% (FY97) 25% to 33% (FY98 est.)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
14,573,199 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
5,943,735 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
12,127,793 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
3,574,050 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
390,064 (2001 est.)
males:
179,136 (2001 est.)
National holiday Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)
Nationality noun:
Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)

adjective:
French
noun:
Korean(s)

adjective:
Korean
Natural hazards flooding; avalanches late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall
Natural resources coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, potash, timber, fish coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower
Net migration rate 0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 km crude oil 37 km; petroleum product 180 km
Political parties and leaders Citizens Movement or MdC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT]; French Communist Party or PCF [Robert HUE]; Independent Ecological Movement or MEI [Antoine WAECHTER]; Left Radical Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Liberal Democracy or DL (originally Republican Party or PR) [Alain MADELIN]; Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DEVILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michelle ALLIOT-MARIE]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Union for French Democracy or UDF (coalition of UDC, FD, RRRS, PPDF) [Francois BAYROU]; Union of the Center or UDC [leader NA] Chondoist Chongu Party [YU Mi-yong, chairwoman]; Korean Social Democratic Party [KIM Pyong-sik, chairman]; major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Chong-il, General Secretary]
Political pressure groups and leaders Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); independent labor union or Force Ouvriere, 1 million members (est.); independent white-collar union or Confederation Generale des Cadres, 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais) or CNPF or Patronat; Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, about 800,000 members (est.) NA
Population 59,551,227 (July 2001 est.) 21,968,228 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.37% (2001 est.) 1.22% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Bordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan
Radio broadcast stations AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) AM 16, FM 14, shortwave 12 (1999)
Radios 55.3 million (1997) 3.36 million (1997)
Railways total:
31,939 km (31,939 km are operated by French National Railways (SNCF); 14,176 km of SNCF routes are electrified and 12,132 km are double- or multiple-tracked)

standard gauge:
31,840 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge:
99 km 1.000-m gauge (1998)
total:
5,000 km

standard gauge:
4,095 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified; 159 km double track)

narrow gauge:
665 km 0.762-m gauge

dual gauge:
240 km 1.435-m and 1.600-m gauges (four rails interlaced) (1996 est.)
Religions Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers) 3%, unaffiliated 4% traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)

note:
autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom
Sex ratio at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.68 male(s)/female

total population:
0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.48 male(s)/female

total population:
0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 17 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
highly developed

domestic:
extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries
general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Russian (Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing
Telephones - main lines in use 34.86 million (yearend 1998) 1.1 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 11.078 million (yearend 1998) NA
Television broadcast stations 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995) 38 (1999)
Terrain mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east
Total fertility rate 1.75 children born/woman (2001 est.) 2.26 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 9.7% (2000 est.) NA%
Waterways 14,932 km (6,969 km heavily traveled) 2,253 km

note:
mostly navigable by small craft only
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