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France 219-
The largesT counTry in western europe is France—a land of green,
open spaces dotted with picturesque towns and small cities. Its many fine old
country palaces, or châteaux, are reminders of France’s long history. But it
is a modern nation, too, with flourishing industries. France is also one of the
leading countries in the european union (eu), the organization that
promotes political and economic union between the member states.
northern France has cool, wet weather. The south, with its Mediterranean
coast, is drier and warmer. rolling hills rise from the coasts and valleys,
providing good farmland. The rugged hills of the Massif central occupy
the middle of the country. The mountains of the Pyrenees and the alps line
the southwest and eastern borders. France also includes the Mediterranean
island of corsica, and some islands thousands
of miles away in the Pacific ocean and
the caribbean sea. a democratically
elected government
and president
rule France
from Paris.ParIs
People have lived along the seine river, where Paris
now stands since ancient times. Paris is the capital
of France. France has a population of more than
66 million; one-fifth live in and around Paris. It is
one of europe’s greatest cities, with wide, tree-
lined streets called boulevards, and many famous
monuments and museums. The city of today was
largely replanned and rebuilt during the 19th century.MarseIlles
France’s biggest seaport is Marseilles,
on the Mediterranean coast. The
warm climate of southern France
makes possible the lively, outdoor
lifestyle of the city. There is a long
history of trade with the rest of the
Mediterranean. Marseilles has a
large arab population, mainly
from north africa.WIneMakIng
France produces about one-
fifth of the world’s wine. Many
famous wines are named after French
regions, such as champagne and
Bordeaux. Most French wine comes from
cooperatives—local groups of farms that share
wine-producing and bottling facilities. some wine,
however, is still made on the small estates attached to the old châteaux.
The grapes are picked in the early fall. Pressing the grapes extracts the
juice, which then ferments (reacts with yeast) in large vats to produce
the alcohol and the distinctive taste of the wine. only when this
process is complete can the
wine be bottled.France shares its long eastern
border with Italy, switzerland,
germany, luxembourg, and
Belgium. spain is to the south.
The south of France lies on the
Mediterranean sea coast, and
the atlantic ocean is to the west.The Louvre in Paris is
one of the world’s most
famous art galleries. The glass
pyramid was added in 1989.Even the smaller winemakers now
use some modern equipment, such
as stainless-steel fermentation vats.Workers on small, family-run estates may
still pick grapes by hand. Many people
spend their vacations picking
grapes, but it is
hard work.US_219_FRANCE_1.indd 219 21/01/16 4:59 pm