International BusinessChapter 14: Human Resource ManagementWorld Market Passport
The Environment Located in Western Europe, the main territory of France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. Its land borders include Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain. France's overseas islands and territories are all over the globe from the Caribbean to Antarctica. Metropolitan France, which is the main territory most commonly referred to as France, possesses a wide variety of landscapes. In the north and west are coastal plains, to the southeast are the Alps, and to the southwest lie the Pyrenees. France is home to Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc (15,781 ft.), and an extensive system of rivers. History Celtic Gauls inhabited ancient France, which was known as Gaul. During the first century BC, Julius Caesar conquered Gaul for Rome. Christianity was introduced in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD and was firmly established. By the 4th century, Germanic tribes called "Franks" settled along the Rhine, and thus the ancient name Francie was derived. In 987AD, Hugh Capet was named King of France, and his descendants progressively unified the country as the monarchy reached its height during the 17th century and the reign of Louis XIV. During that time France had the largest population in Europe and a tremendous amount of influence over European politics, economics, and culture. The monarchy ruled France until 1789, when during the French Revolution, King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were killed. Napoleon Bonaparte took control, eventually made himself Emperor, and conquered most of continental Europe. At the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon's final defeat made way for the return of the French monarchy. Civil uprisings and wars led France to extend its empire to become the second largest during the 19th and 20th centuries. The country suffered much loss during World War I, but ultimately became the victor. In World War II, France's political leadership surrendered to Germany but was liberated by the Allies in 1944. In recent decades the nation mended ties with Germany and was instrumental in the formation of the European Community. Culture and People Almost half of the 64 million people in France claim foreign heritage, making this country rich in diversity of people, architecture, landscape, and history. French is its official language and its government is a unitary republic. With its alluring capital city of Paris and vast cultural history in the arts, France remains the most popular international tourist destination in the world. From French food and art to fashion and architecture, this country offers something for every taste. Click to hear the music of France.
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