France is a country with a vast history, romantic spots, and high fashion. For many, France is associated only with the Eiffel Tower, Paris, and frog legs, but there is much more to discover. Here’s a collection of facts about this beautiful and most visited country in the world.
1. France is the third largest country in Europe by size, only surpassed by Ukraine and Russia. At its height, territories under its control comprised more than 8% of the world’s land area.
2. Of all the countries that celebrate Independence Day, 26 gained independence from France. As a result, today more people speak French in Africa than in France itself.
3. In ancient times, Paris was a Celtic settlement that was eventually conquered by the Romans and named Lutetia.
4. Contrary to popular belief, Napoleon was not considered very short in France, as he was even taller than the average Frenchman of his time, with various sources stating his height was 168 cm.
5. From 1814 to 1830, the flag of the Kingdom of France was completely white.
6. In 1886, to celebrate independence, France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the USA, which today stands as a symbol of New York and a source of national pride.
7. France was the first country to introduce license plates.
8. In France, there are cafes where customers who do not say “hello” and “thank you” pay more for their coffee.
9. Interestingly, what the world calls a French kiss is referred to by the French as an “English kiss.”
