The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1999 to 2025 Europe

Background France, in 27 editions.

The entry for France published Background in 27 editions of 36, from 1999 to 2025. The text changed in 16 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
16
the first edition with it
1999
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (1999 to 2025).

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2011 edition

Changed since 2010

Open the 2011 entry

Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations.

In recent decades, 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. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.

Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent years, decades, 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. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.

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Central Intelligence Agency. “France: Background.” The World Factbook, 1999–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/france/background.

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