General Information Capital:Paris Area:545,630 sq km (339,054 sq miles) (not including overseas territories).2 Population:65,073,482 Electricity:220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used IDD:+33 Emergency number:17 Timezone:GMT +1 Hr (+2 Hrs MAR-OCT)
Language Language: French (official). Rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Government Government: Republic.
Religion Religion: 80% Catholic, Muslim and Protestant denominations
Health Health: The following vaccinations are recommended: Tetanus.
Traffic Traffic: Traffic drives on the right. Minimum age 18 years. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory in front and back seats.
Driving License Driving License: National license
National Holidays National holidays: Jan 1 New Year"s Day, Easter (variable), 1 May Workers" Day, 8 May Victory Day, 25 May Ascensión, Jul 14 Bastille Day, Ago 15 Ascension Day, , Nov 1 All Saints" Day, Nov 11 Armistice Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day
Climate Climate: The south of France has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Strong winds, known as la Mistral, can occur in the Cote d"Azur, Provence and in the Rhone valley particularly over the winter and spring. Northern France, including Paris, has a temperate climate with warm summers, cold winters and rainfall throughout the year. The western coast, is milder and summer days are generally very hot.
Mobile Network Mobile Network: GSM 900 / 1800 3G 2100
GPS GPS: 48 52 N, 2 19.59 E
Shopping Hours Shopping Hours: Department stores are open 09.00-20.00. Most shops are closed between 12.00 and 14.30. Food shops are open 07.00-19.00/19.30. Some food shops (particulary bakers) are open Sunday mornings, in which case they will probably be closed on Monday. Many shops are closed all day or half-day Monday. Hypermarkets are normally open from 9.00 to 19.00/20.00, sometimes until 21.00 or 22.00.
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