3France

Introduction Background:

France 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 presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, 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. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy. France Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain 46 00 N, 2 00 E

Geography Location:

Geographic

coordinates: Map references: Europe Area: total: 547,030 sq km land: 545,630 sq km water: 1,400 sq km note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions slightly less than twice the size of Colorado

Area comparative:

Land boundaries: total: 2,889 km border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km Coastline: 3,427 km

Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fish Irrigated land: 20,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean Environment current issues: Environment international agreements: some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air PollutionPersistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography People Population: Age structure: France 60,656,178 (July 2005 est.) 0-14 years: 18.4% (male 5,717,761/female 5,440,060) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 19,784,749/female 19,752,432) 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,084,193/female 5,876,983) (2005 est.)

Population growth 0.37% (2005 est.) rate: Birth rate: Death rate: Net migration rate: Nationality: 12.15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 9.08 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1980 est.) France conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique Francaise local short form: France

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Government Country name:

Government type: republic Capital: Administrative divisions: Paris 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, BasseNormandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes note: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon)

Dependent areas: Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Independence: 486 (unified by Clovis)

National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958; amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts France France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers. It retains controlling stakes in several leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales, and is dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of

Legal system:

Economy Economy overview:

laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. The government has lowered income taxes and introduced measures to boost employment and reform the pension system. In addition, it is focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35hour workweek and restrictions on lay-offs. The tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe (43.8% of GDP in 2003). The lingering economic slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the budget deficit above the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP limit. Finance Minister Herve GAYMARD has promised that the 2005 deficit will fall below 3%. Labor force - by occupation: Unemployment rate: agriculture 4.1%, industry 24.4%, services 71.5% (1999)

10.1% (2014 est.)

Population below 6.5% (2000) poverty line: Household income lowest 10%: 2.8% or consumption byhighest 10%: 25.1% (1995) percentage share: Budget: revenues: $1.005 trillion expenditures: $1.08 trillion, including capital expenditures of $23 billion (2014 est.) 67.7% of GDP (2004 est.) wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism

Public debt: Agriculture products: Industries:

Industrial 1.7% (2014 est.) production growth rate: Exports: Exports commodities: $419 billion f.o.b. (2013 est.) machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages

Exports - partners: Germany 15%, Spain 9.5%, UK 9.3%, Italy 9%, Belgium 7.2%, US 6.7% (2013) Imports: Imports commodities: $419.7 billion f.o.b. (2013 est.) machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals

Imports - partners:Germany 19.2%, Belgium 9.9%, Italy 8.8%, Spain 7.4%, UK 7%, Netherlands 6.7%, US 5.1% (2004) Reserves of $70.76 billion (2014) foreign exchange and gold: Currency (code): euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Currency code: Exchange rates: EUR euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000) calendar year

Fiscal year: Why France:

World's "best overall health care" provider by the World Health Organization It is the fastest growing market for organic and natural cosmetics in the Europe with its 3 to 4% share of the total cosmetics market and 40% growth year on year in France. It is a less mature market than Germany but with great potential. Global Organic Cosmetics and Toiletries Market:

Why launching in France?

French Market Becomes Prominent

the French market for natural & organic cosmetics has shown high growth to become the second largest in Europe. Revenues were initially increasing by over 30% a year, however slower growth rates have been observed since the financial crisis. Increasing distribution is a major driver of market growth. Natural & organic cosmetics have made most inroads in para-pharmacies and mainstream retailers. Although the sales share has shrunk, specialist retailers still comprise most product sales. Consumers are buying natural & organic cosmetics because of concerns about synthetic chemicals in cosmetics & toiletries. The French market has experienced the highest number of new entrants and new product launches in Europe. Many large cosmetic companies have introduced natural & organic cosmetics, yet few have taken up strong market positions. The L'Oreal Group is a frontrunner, with several brands of natural and organic products. Retailer private labels are also becoming popular; a wide range of certified natural and organic cosmetics are marketed under retailer brands. This 3rd edition report has been prepared by continuously tracking the French natural & organic cosmetics market for almost 10 years. Detailed market & competitive information is provided for the following product categories: Natural & organic skin care products Natural & organic oral care products Natural & organic hair care products Natural & organic cosmetics Other natural & organic personal care products Revenue forecasts are given up to 2019 for each product category. Market information includes market size, growth projections, pricing & distribution analysis and sales channel breakdown. Market shares and profiles are given of the leading brands and retailers. Guidance is given to companies looking at growth opportunities in this emerging market. Organic beauty Look for the Soil Association symbol on organic cosmetics, organic skin care, organic hair products and organic soaps to ensure the product you buy is certified to a standard you trust.our skin is the largest organ of your body and what you put on it can be absorbed in tiny amounts. So its no surprise that a growing number of beauty products

are now being produced with organic ingredients. Unfortunately, unlike organic food, there are no legal standards for organic beauty products. Organic Cosmetics: Cosmetic products that are made with organic ingredients Cosmetics made without the use of harsh chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers.