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Compare France (2005) - Seychelles (2002)

Compare France (2005) z Seychelles (2002)

 France (2005)Seychelles (2002)
 FranceSeychelles
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)
23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Age structure 0-14 years: 18.4% (male 5,717,761/female 5,440,060)


15-64 years: 65.2% (male 19,784,749/female 19,752,432)


65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,084,193/female 5,876,983) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 27.8% (male 11,238; female 11,002)


15-64 years: 66% (male 25,763; female 27,086)


65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,667; female 3,342) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish
Airports 478 (2004 est.) 14 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 283


over 3,047 m: 13


2,438 to 3,047 m: 28


1,524 to 2,437 m: 95


914 to 1,523 m: 82


under 914 m: 65 (2004 est.)
total: 7


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 195


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 72


under 914 m: 120 (2004 est.)
total: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 4 (2002)
Area total: 547,030 sq km


land: 545,630 sq km


water: 1,400 sq km


note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions
total: 455 sq km


land: 455 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of Colorado 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
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 introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy. A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993.
Birth rate 12.15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 17.27 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.005 trillion


expenditures: $1.08 trillion, including capital expenditures of $23 billion (2004 est.)
revenues: $249 million


expenditures: $262 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) (1998 est.)
Capital Paris Victoria
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 tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Coastline 3,427 km 491 km
Constitution adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958; amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term 18 June 1993
Country name conventional long form: French Republic


conventional short form: France


local long form: Republique Francaise


local short form: France
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles


conventional short form: Seychelles
Currency - Seychelles rupee (SCR)
Death rate 9.08 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 6.57 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $NA $240 million (1999 est.)
Dependent areas Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna


note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
-
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Howard H. LEACH


embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 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
the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-David LEVITTE


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
chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL


chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785


FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
Disputes - international Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
Economic aid - donor ODA, $5.4 billion (2002) -
Economic aid - recipient - $16.4 million (1995) (1995)
Economy - overview France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers. It retains controlling stakes in several leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales, and is dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. 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 lowered income taxes and introduced measures to boost employment and reform the pension system. In addition, it is focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweek and restrictions on lay-offs. The tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe (43.8% of GDP in 2003). The lingering economic slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the budget deficit above the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP limit. Finance Minister Herve GAYMARD has promised that the 2005 deficit will fall below 3%. Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. The vulnerability of the tourist sector was illustrated by the sharp drop in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Other issues facing the government are the curbing of the budget deficit, including the containment of social welfare costs, and further privatization of public enterprises. Growth slowed in 1998-2001, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors. Also, tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official exchange rate; without a devaluation of the currency the tourist sector should remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.
Electricity - consumption 414.7 billion kWh (2002) 148.8 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 79.9 billion kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 3 billion kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 528.6 billion kWh (2002) 160 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m


highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Environment - current issues some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Exchange rates euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000) Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.7458 (January 2002), 5.8575 (2001), 5.7138 (2000), 5.3426 (1999), 5.2622 (1998), 5.0263 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)


head of government: Prime Minister Dominique DE VILLEPIN (since 31 May 2005)


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


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held 21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round April 2007, second round May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president


election results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN (FN) 18.04%
chief of state: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: France Albert RENE reelected president; percent of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO) 44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that presidential elections have been held separately from legislative elections
Exports 409,600 bbl/day (2001) $182.6 million f.o.b. (2001)
Exports - commodities machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages canned tuna, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners Germany 15%, Spain 9.5%, UK 9.3%, Italy 9%, Belgium 7.2%, US 6.7% (2004) UK 48.1%, Italy 23.1%, France 14.8%, Netherlands 2.7% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; 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 five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
GDP - purchasing power parity - $605 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2.7%


industry: 24.3%


services: 73% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 3%


industry: 26%


services: 71% (1999) (1999)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $28,700 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $7,600 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.1% (2004 est.) 1.5% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 46 00 N, 2 00 E 4 35 S, 55 40 E
Geography - note largest West European nation 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands
Heliports 3 (2004 est.) -
Highways total: 893,100 km


paved: 893,100 km (including 12,000 km of expressways)


unpaved: 0 km (2002)
total: 280 km


paved: 176 km


unpaved: 104 km (1997)
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 2.281 million bbl/day (2001) $360.2 million f.o.b. (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners Germany 19.2%, Belgium 9.9%, Italy 8.8%, Spain 7.4%, UK 7%, Netherlands 6.7%, US 5.1% (2004) Italy 13.3%, South Africa 10.7%, France 9.9%, UK 8.0%, Singapore 7.7% (1999)
Independence 486 (unified by Clovis) 29 June 1976 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 1.7% (2004 est.) NA%
Industries machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Infant mortality rate total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
16.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.3% (2004 est.) 6.1% (2001 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 20,000 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
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 Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president
Labor force 27.7 million (2004 est.) 30,900 (1996) (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 4.1%, industry 24.4%, services 71.5% (1999) industry 19%, services 71%, agriculture 10% (1989) (1989)
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
0 km
Land use arable land: 33.53%


permanent crops: 2.07%


other: 64.4% (2001)
arable land: 2.22%


permanent crops: 13.33%


other: 84.45% (1998 est.)
Languages French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) English (official), French (official), Creole
Legal system civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law
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); note - between now and 2010, 25 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 346 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members will be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms, with one-half the seats being renewed every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held September 2007); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (next to be held not later than June 2007)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 156, PS 97, UDF 33, PCF 23, RDSE 15, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 355, PS 140, UDF 29, PCF 21, Radical Party 7, Greens 3, other 22
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats - 25 elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 4-6 December 2002 (next held by 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 54.3%, SNP 42.6%, DP 3.1%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11


note: the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to the percentage that each party won of the total vote
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.6 years


male: 75.96 years


female: 83.42 years (2005 est.)
total population: 70.97 years


male: 65.48 years


female: 76.63 years (2002 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


total population: 58%


male: 56%


female: 60% (1971 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 Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Map references Europe Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


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


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 703,639 GRT/889,705 DWT


by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas 4, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 30, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 6 (Sweden 5, Switzerland 1)


registered in other countries: 139 (2005)
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,086 GRT/10,192 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: South Africa 2 (2002 est.)
Military branches Army (includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy (includes naval air), Air Force (includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie Army, Coast Guard (includes Air Wing), Presidential Protection Unit (includes Presidential Guard), Police Force (includes Police Mobile Unit, a special weapons and tactics unit capable of assisting the Army in maintaining internal stability)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $45,238.1 million (2003) $11 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.6% (2003) 1.8% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 23,210 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 11,554 (2002 est.)
National holiday Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Nationality noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)


adjective: French
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)


adjective: Seychellois
Natural hazards flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible
Natural resources coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fish fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Net migration rate 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) -5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines gas 14,232 km; oil 3,024 km; refined products 4,889 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders Citizen and Republican Movement or MCR [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT]; Democratic and European Social Rally or RDSE (mainly Radical Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG) [Jacques PELLETIER]; French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Left Radical Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or NF [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Greens [Yann WEHRLING, national secretary]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Francois BAYROU]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (including RPR, DL, and a part of UDF) [Nicolas SARKOZY] Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM]; Seychelles National Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [Wavel RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE] - the governing party
Political pressure groups and leaders historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed); left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, approximately 889,000 members (claimed); independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members (claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed) Roman Catholic Church; trade unions
Population 60,656,178 (July 2005 est.) 80,098 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 6.5% (2000) NA%
Population growth rate 0.37% (2005 est.) 0.47% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg Victoria
Radio broadcast stations AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios - 42,000 (1997)
Railways total: 29,519 km


standard gauge: 29,352 km 1.435-m gauge (14,481 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)
0 km (2003)
Religions Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2002 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: country code - 33; 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: effective system


domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago


international: direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 33,905,400 (2003) 19,635 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 41,683,100 (2003) 16,316 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995) 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
Total fertility rate 1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.) 1.81 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 10.1% (2004 est.) NA%
Waterways 8,500 km (1,686 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) (2000) none
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