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Capital
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Paris
Population
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59,551,227 (July 2001 est.)
Area
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547,030 sq km, slightly less than twice the size of Colorado
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Government
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Republic
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Money
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French franc (FRF); euro (EUR)
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note: on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in France at a fixed rate of 6.55957 French francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
Climate
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Generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
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Languages
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French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
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