France's Official Name is: Republic of France .

Passport/Visa Requirements: Passport needed by citizens of the U.S. and Canada. A tourist visa is not required for a visit of up to three months. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.

Capital: Paris.

Population: 65,200,000.

Languages: French (official), with local dialects such as Breton, Alsatian, Basque & Catalan.

Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic), Jewish, Muslim and Protestant.

Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the end of March to the end of September.

Voltage Requirements: 220 volts.

Telephone Codes: 33, country code; 1, city code for Paris.

France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations despite the extensive losses it has suffered during World War I and World War II, in its empire, wealth and manpower. 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.