France
French Republic
Zoomed ×3.2
- Capital
- Paris
- Population
- 68.7 million
- 23rd in the world (2025)
- Area
- 551,695 km²
- 48th in the world
- Density
- 125 people/km²
- 73rd in the world
In brief
France is a country in Western Europe. Its capital is Paris. With 68.7 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 23rd in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 551,695 km². It shares land borders with Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain and Switzerland.
GDP per capita stands at $48,986 (2025), 26th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 83 years (2024). 79% of the population lives in cities.
History of France
Gaul, conquered by Rome in the 1st century BC, later passed to the Franks, whose king Clovis was baptised around 496. The Capetians, in power from 987, slowly built up the kingdom, up to the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV. The Revolution of 1789 abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic in 1792; then came Napoleon’s Empire, several regimes and the Third Republic in 1870. After two world wars fought on its soil, France adopted the Fifth Republic in 1958 and was a founding member of European integration.
Geography of France
Metropolitan France, often called the Hexagon, faces the Channel, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Broad plains lie in the north and west, old uplands in the centre, and the Alps and Pyrenees along the borders: Mont Blanc (4,806 m) is the highest point. The Loire, Seine, Rhône and Garonne are its great rivers. The country also has overseas territories, from French Guiana to Réunion.
Map of France
Flag of France
The flag of France is red, white and blue. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).
- Blue33%
- White33%
- Red33%
Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.
What the flag stands for
Blue, white, red: tradition sees the union of the royal white with the blue and red of Paris, brought together on the cockade of 1789. The tricolour was adopted in 1794, and the 1958 constitution makes it the national emblem.
Sources: Wikipedia, articles “France” and “Flag of France”.
Download the flag (SVG) All 33 red, white and blue flags All the flags of the world
Fact file
| Official name | French Republic |
|---|---|
| Capital | Paris |
| Official language | French |
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €) |
| Demonym | French |
| Continent | Europe, Western Europe |
| Access to the sea | Yes |
| Area | 551,695 km² |
| Calling code | +33 |
| Internet domain | .fr |
| UN status | Member state |
Economy and society
GDP per capita
$48,986
26th in the world (2025)
Life expectancy
83 years
at birth (2024)
Urban population
79%
Sources: World Bank (2025) for population and economy, Natural Earth for the map, mledoze/countries and Wikidata for reference data. Method.