FRANCE is a country whose main territory is a landlocked area somewhere in western Europe. Thus, France can be considered a Western country with Western cultures although in political inclinations, it is sometimes conservative and does not necessarily reflect the views of its Western allies, the United States and Britain. Sometimes, it supports political views reflected to those of Russia and Iran but not because necessarily they’re lovers. They share the same thoughts for pure economic reasons – Russia and Iran are the biggest trading partners of France.

Other territories owned by France are Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte, Wallis et Futuna and Clipperton Island. Guadeloupe and Martinique are both in the Carribean, French Guiana is located off South America, Reunion is located off Madagascar, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Saint Pierre and Miquelon are in the South Pacific, Wallis et Futuna is off the coast of Newfoundland while Clipperton Island is in the North Pacific. France also owns a few islands in the Indian Ocean and in Antarctica. These territories were annexed by France during previous conquests.

France is bounded by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, the English Channel and the North Sea. Its current prime minister is Francois Fillon. Being a semi-presidential unitary republic, Fillon oversees the day to day operations of the government, not the president. But it has not previously been this way. France used to be a kingdom until the republic was formulated sometime after World War II with the ascent of Charles de Gaulle.

As part of Western Europe, France has a moderately cold climate all year round but most prominent in winter. If you want to come here and you’re from another member of the EU, you don’t need a visa. France has switched to euro since the European Union has agreed on a single currency. Only the UK has remained defiant and continues using pound, claiming it is stronger than the euro. Also exempted from having a visa are Australian, Malaysian and Indonesian visitors. French cuisine is one of the most romantic and the priciest in the world. There is a joke circulating around that if you can’t pronounce French menu, you simply can’t afford it. The most popular fine dining brasserie in France is Chez Flottes. Of course, there is also exotic food served in France like frogs legs, Bourgogne snails, beef stomach and lamb brain.

Examples of the menu served in Chez Flottes are preserved duck at 17 euros, roasted chicken from Aveyron with mash potatoes at 17 euros, beef carpaccio with parmesan cheese at 16 euros, slice of veal liver with raspberry vinegar at 23 euros, salmon steak (grilled on one side only with vinaigrette) at 18 euros and red tuna steak at 23 euros. There’s also an exquisite number of wines. There are a number of nudist beaches in France but even if you’re a woman, taking off your top in mainstream beaches is certainly ok. And one more thing ladies – never ever say “Oh my god” when in France – god is French for dildo.