Facts About France Postal Code

With the introduction of automated sorting in 1964, France started with a system of Postal Codes that were subsequently revised to the current method of five-digit postal codes in 1972. France Postal Code is a numeric 5-digit code in which the first two digits represent the postal department of the particular city. The same system has also been extended to the French Overseas Departments and Territories. Last three digits of postal codes in France signify the precise location of the area, with 000 reserved for the Prefecture.





Apart from the regular five digit postal codes, France also uses a system known as CEDEX, which is developed for the recipients of large and bulk mail volumes. For people wanting to find out postal codes in France can check out some of the websites where they can find the postal code just by typing the name of the town. Out there on the Internet, one can find couple of sites for French Postal Code Lookup. The last three digits of the France Postal Codes represent the commune, some of which are very small and may share a postal code with one or more communes. For larger cities of the likes Paris, Lyon and Marseille, the last two digits display the Arrondissement.

Facts About France Events In France

France with its long Atlantic coastline, large Pyrenees mountain range, geographical diversity, diverse cultural and historical heritage and some of the greatest tourist treasures of Europe remains in the top of the list of world's most favorite tourist destinations. France is well known for its arts, architecture, crafts, music, ballet, cuisines and few of the best festivals and events making it an year around hub for the international visitors.





Some of the most popular events in France include: Tour De France - an annual event to explore monuments and culture of France; The Carnival in Nice - a 10-days event that dates back to middle ages and covers a tour of French Riviera City to indulge in exotic festivities, music and culinary; Wonderful Christmas Markets; Bastille Day an annual festival for reveling fabulous food and exploring amazing traditions and customs of France; Paris Gay Pride Parade and Festival; D-Day Invasion Anniversary, Old Mardi Gras Celebrations and events and New Year's Eve.

Facts About France Easter in France

Easter Day, the celebration of Resurrection of Lord Jesus three days after crucifixion, is a tradition that is celebrated in most of the regions of the world with some variations. Besides the traditional feats and religious customs, modern Easter celebrations also include newer elements such as hunt for Easter Bunny and Easter Egg. France, considered as one of the pioneer of western culture and plays a significant influence in the cradle of Christianity, celebrates Easter traditionally with lots of fun and vigor and also with some of the modern customs and festivities.





Shops, commercial establishments and homes decorated with Easter bunnies and eggs, dark chocolate rabbits, bells and fish, finely decorated Easter eggs, and flying bells, among others, are some of the common sightings on the streets of France. Lamb Stew made with spring vegetables and other delicious dishes made from leg of lamb are also common in many Christian households in France. Like in many other parts of the world, kids and children play with Easter eggs and make beautifully handmade Easter Crafts.

Facts About France Embassies of France

France began its diplomatic missions during the rein of Francis I in 1522 when the first diplomatic delegation was sent to Switzerland. Although France reduced its presence in the world after decolonization but still it has significant influence in the world and the second largest network of diplomatic missions in the World, second only to the United States.





Here is a list of some of the countries where France has its embassies: Europe - Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Vatican City, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK; North America – Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, United States; South America – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela; Africa – Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; Asia – Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Burma, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Yemen, Vietnam; Australia, Fiji, New ज़ीलैण्ड

Facts About France Bank of France

Bank of France or Banque De France is the Central Bank of France, which is linked to the European Central Bank (ECB). Established 18 January, 1800, Bank of France has its headquarters in Paris and in 1998, it entered the European System of Central Bank (ESCB), which is an institutional framework for a single monetary policy of Euro, the currency of France as well as many European countries. ESCB is composed of National Central Banks of all the member nations of European Union.





The present Governor of Bank of France is Christian Noyer, who is also the Chairman of the General Council, and he is assisted by two Deputy Governors. Bank of France has several branch offices spread all over the France and most of the metropolitan cities. In 1993, Bank of France was granted autonomy and independence to ensure the stability of the monetary policy without any interference from the government and by relieving it from short term considerations, thereby increasing its credibility.

Facts About France History of France

France, a nation in Western Europe, has been a major power for many centuries and historical times with its strong economical, political, cultural and military influence in the Europe as well as in the world. France is one of the few nations in the world whose history dates back to hundreds of thousands of years and it is believed the first modern Homo Sapiens arrived in France 40,000 years ago and there are several archeological sites that establish the presence and continuous habitation of human beings in France right from the prehistoric era.





In the late Bronze Age, France was part of an established culture, society and trading center along with Britain, Spain, Ireland and Portugal. The first historical records of France appear in the Iron Age when the then France was made up of the region known as 'Gaul' to the Greeks and Romans. Carolingian Empire, Ancient Regime, Absolute Monarchy, Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, French Revolution, the French Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleaonic Wars and Republic France are some of the greatest periods in the history of France.

Facts About France French Population

Population of France as on 1 January 2010 is 65.44 million people out of which 62.79 million people live in Metropolitan France and the rest live in French Overseas Departments and Territories such as French Guinea and Martinique, among other, located in Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. At present, France is the 20th most populous nation in the World. French Population is highly diverse in ethnicity with about 6 million North Africans and about 2.5 million blacks.





It is estimated that at least 40% of the present French Population is a descendant of different phases of immigration that the country received, the period between 1921 and 1935 witnessing the highest influx of immigrants, about 1.1 million people mainly from North Africa. France is considered as the leading Asylum destination in western Europe. France is a secular country with freedom of religion as constitutional right. Christianity is the largest religion in France. 60% of the French Population is Catholic, 31% is agnostics or atheists, and the rest consist of Muslims, Jewish, Buddhists and other unidentified people.