France is a semi-presidential republic. Its capital, largest city and main cultural and economic centre is Paris. Metropolitan France was settled during the Iron Age by Celtic tribes known as Gauls before Rome annexed the area in 51 BC, leading to a distinct Gallo-Roman culture. France is a unitary semi-presidential republic. The head of state is the President, who is also a politician. The Prime Minister is secondary to the President. Metropolitan France is bordered (clockwise from the North) by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain. France in depth country profile. Unique hard to find content on France . Includes customs, culture, history, geography, economy current events, photos, video, and more. Today France 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.
