France: The Perfume Capital Of The World

France is a sovereign state comprising territory in western Europe and several overseas regions and territories. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean; France covers 640,679 square kilometers (247,368 sq mi) and has a population of 66.6 million. It is a unitary semi-presidential republic. The capital of France is Paris, the country's largest city and the main cultural and commercial center. The Constitution of France establishes the state as secular and democratic, with its sovereignty derived from the people.

During the Iron Age, what is now France was inhabited by the Gauls, a Celtic people. The Gauls were conquered by the Roman Empire in 51 BC, which held Gaul until 486. The Gallo-Romans faced raids and migration from the Germanic Franks, who dominated the region for hundreds of years, eventually creating the medieval Kingdom of France. France has been a major power in Europe since the Late Middle Ages, with its victory in the Hundred Years' War (1337 to 1453) strengthening French state-building and paving the way for a future centralized absolute monarchy.

During the Renaissance, France experienced a vast cultural development and established the first steps of a worldwide colonial empire. The 16th century was dominated by religious civil wars between Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots). The currencies are the Euro (EUR) and CFP franc (XPF).

Some interesting facts are:
1. The French government gives medals to citizens who have "successfully raised several children with dignity."

2. 1 in 5 people in France has experienced depression making it the most depressed country in the world.

3. In France, you can marry a dead person.

4. France was the first country to introduce the license plate.

5. In France, nearly 96% of high schools have condom vending machines.

6. France is also know as ‘the hexagon' – because of its six-sided shape, France is sometimes referred to as l’hexagone.

7. Europe’s highest mountain is in the French Alps – Mont Blanc, at 4,810m, takes an arduous 10 to 12 hours to climb to the summit. Alternatively, you can take a leisurely 20-minute trip up on Europe’s highest cable car on the nearby Pic du Midi to get a brilliant view of Mont Blanc.

8. In France, “French kiss” is called a tongue kiss or soul kiss.

9. Grasse, France is known as the Perfume Capital of the World.

10. French toast and french fries aren’t French inventions.

11. In France, a glass pyramid stands outside the Louvre museum as a tribute to the ancient Egyptians and their amazing world.

12. The average French citizen eats 500 snails each year.

13. The Palace of Versailles, which was occupied by the kings of France, have been said to be haunted by Marie Antoinette, the beheaded Queen of France.

14. An underground rail tunnel, known as the Channel Tunnel, joins England and France. It runs beneath the English Channel, connecting Folkestone, Kent in England and Coquelles, near Calais in France.

15. The oldest bridge in Paris, France, is the Pont Neuf, or "New Bridge."

16. There's only one STOP sign in the entire city of Paris.

17. During WWII, when Hitler visited Paris, the French cut the lift cables on the Eiffel Tower so that Hitler would have to climb the steps if he wanted to reach the top.

18. The Mosque of Paris helped Jews escape the Nazis by giving them Muslim IDs during WWII.

19. The world's first true department store was Le Bon Marché in Paris, founded by Aristide Boucicaut in 1838.

20. There is a Statue of Liberty in Paris that faces the Statue of Liberty in America, symbolizing the friendship between the two countries.

For more facts visit:
http://www.france.fr/en.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france

Some beautiful places are:

For tourism details visit: +France Tourisme Notre Dame +France Tourisme Louvre +FrenchTourisme
http://www.france.com/
http://us.rendezvousenfrance.com/

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Monaco: The 2nd Smallest Country In The World

Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and micro state, located on the French Riviera in Western Europe. France borders the country on three sides while the other side borders the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco has an area of 2.02 km2 (0.78 sq mi) and a population of 36,371; it is the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world. Monaco has a land border of 4.4 km (2.7 mi), a coastline of 4.1 km (2.5 mi), and a width that varies between 1,700 and 349 m (5,577 and 1,145 ft). The highest point in the country is a narrow pathway named Chemin des Révoires on the slopes of Mont Agel, in the Les Révoires Ward, which is 161 meters (528 feet) above sea level. Monaco's most populous Quartier is Monte Carlo and the most populous Ward is Larvotto/Bas Moulins. Through land reclamation, Monaco's land mass has expanded by twenty percent.

Monaco is a principality governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state. Although Prince Albert II is a constitutional monarch, he wields immense political power. The House of Grimaldi have ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297. The official language is French, but Monégasque, Italian, and English are widely spoken and understood. The state's sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993. Despite Monaco's independence and separate foreign policy, its defense is the responsibility of France. However, Monaco does maintain two small military units. The capital is Monaco. The currency is Euro (€) (EUR).

Some interesting facts are:
1. The Principality of Monaco is the second smallest country in the world. The smallest is Vatican City. Monaco's total area is only 2 square kilometers (1.24 square miles). Monaco is bordered by France on the North, South and West with the Mediterranean Sea to its East.

2. The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous races in the world. Drivers take to the streets of Monaco, tackling its tight corners, narrow streets and famous tunnel. Ayrton Senna holds the record for the most wins on the track, coming first 6 times. The constructor with the most wins is Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

3. Monaco is famous for its casino in Monte Carlo. However, residents of Monaco are not allowed to gamble or even enter the casino.

4. On the birth of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace's first child, a national holiday was declared, the people of the principality were treated to free champagne and gambling stopped for a day in the casino. Their second child, Albert II, is now ruler of Monaco.

5. There is no airport but there is a world-class heliport, the Monaco Heliport in Monte Carlo. In order to reduce noise pollution, helicopters arriving and departing fly over water. It also has an underground railway station.

6. Monaco has the lowest unemployment rate in the world at 0%. It also has the lowest poverty rate in the world and has the world's highest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita.

7. There is just one university, one secondary school and seven nursery and primary schools.

8. Monaco has the most expensive real estate market on earth, with one square metre going for almost $66,000.

9. Monaco is a special type of monarchy called a Principality, that means that it is not ruled by a king but by a Prince. The current ruler is His Serene Highness, The Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II (Albert Alexander Louis Pierre Grimaldi) and is one of the wealthiest royals in the world. He is married to a former South African Olympic swimmer. They met at a swimming event in Monaco in 2000 and married in 2011. His Royal House of Grimaldi has been ruling Monaco since 1297.

10. An interesting thing about its labor statistics is that almost 50,000 workers come from Italy and France every day and return after work.

For more facts visit:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/monaco

Some beautiful places are:

For tourism details visit: +Visit Monaco 
http://www.visitmonaco.com/

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San Marino: World's Oldest Republic

San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino, also known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, is an enclaved microstate surrounded by Italy, situated on the Italian Peninsula on the north-eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. Its size is just over 61 km2 (24 sq mi) with an estimated population of about 32,000 with its capital being the City of San Marino and its largest city being Dogana. San Marino has the smallest population of all the members of the Council of Europe.

San Marino claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world, as the continuation of the monastic community founded on 3 September 301, by stonecutter Marinus of Arba. Legend has it that Marinus left Rab, then the Roman colony of Arba, in 257 when the future emperor, Diocletian, issued a decree calling for the reconstruction of the city walls of Rimini, which had been destroyed by Liburnian pirates. The currency is Euro (EUR).

Some interesting facts are:
1. Marino encompasses 24 square miles, making it the fifth smallest country on the planet, and 1/40 the size of Rhode Island.

2. The military they do have a largely ceremonial, and basically stands guard in pretty uniforms in front of government buildings, or at the opening of whatever the Sammarinese equivalent  of a K-Mart is.

3. San Marino is considered to have the earliest written constitution still in effect of any country in the world. The country is still governed by the Leges Statutae Republicae Sancti Marini, a series of six books written in Latin in the late 1,500 that dictate the country’s political system.

4. In the capital, the Three Towers of San Marino are located on the three peaks of Monte Titano.  Guaita, constructed in the 11th century, is the oldest of the three towers.  Cesta, located on the highest of Monte Titano’s summits, was constructed in the 13th century. Montale, on the smallest of Monte Titano’s summits, was built in the 14th century and is still privately owned.

5. If everyone in San Marino went to Wembley Stadium, there would be 56,318 empty seats.

6. In 2004, San Marino beat Liechtenstein 1-0 for its first international football win. It now shares last place in the 2014 Fifa world rankings.

7. Founded in the year 301 by Saint Marinus, the city-state has enjoyed an ongoing Independence and survived events such as the barbarian invasions, the Napoleonic wars and the Italian reunification. People of San Merino are very proud of this fact since they are the only Italian City-State to remain independent to this day.

8. With over 100 unique sculptures in a small area, San Marino has some very amazing works of art, the most famous of which is the Lady of Liberty located in front of the city hall.  She’s wearing a crown with the three towers Mount Titano.

9. It has branded itself as world's oldest republic. It respectfully ignores the Greeks and Romans, as their republics did not last. This tiny country perched on a mountain completely surrounded by Italy is truly an interesting feature of our planet.

For more facts visit:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/emilia-romagna-and-san-marino/san-marino
http://www.travelingwiththejones.com/2014/11/19/24-fun-facts-about-san-marino/

Some beautiful places are:

For tourism details visit: +San Marino Turismo 
http://www.visitsanmarino.com/on-line/en/home.html
http://www.ci.san-marino.ca.us/

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