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'''France''' (Official title: ''French Republic''/''République Française'') is a country in Western [[Europe]].

'''France''' (Official title: ''French Republic''/''République Française'') is a country in Western [[Europe]].

At its height, the French Empire rivaled the British Empire, with colonies in every corner of the world. It continues to be a strong presence in academia and has been the birthplace of countless renowned scholars, such as [[Voltaire]] and [[Descartes]]. It remains a powerhouse in the [[European Union]], often at odds with the [[United Kingdom]] on issues of EU policy. The capital city is Paris, often called the "City of Lights".

At its height, the French Empire rivaled the British Empire, with colonies in every corner of the world. It continues to be a strong presence in academia and has been the birthplace of countless renowned scholars, such as [[Voltaire]] and [[Descartes]]. It remains a powerhouse in the [[European Union]], often at odds with the [[United Kingdom]] on issues of EU policy. The capital city is Paris, often called the "City of Lights".

It was a founding member of the European Coal and Steel treaty which led to the EEC and EU.  

It was a founding member of the European Coal and Steel treaty which led to the EEC and EU.  

In March 2003, France was one of over a hundred nations that did not participate in the alliance that liberated [[Iraq]], with its aim of removing the [[Baathist]] regime of the dictator [[Saddam Hussein]], though France had committed substantial forces to the First [[Gulf War]]. It reasons for opposing the war were that they did not believe that Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, and France quickly became a figurehead for the anti-war movement globally. Nevertheless, the much disliked former President Chirac has been accused of corruption and other improprieties, making him not an ideal candidate as figurehead of the anti war movement. French forces did, however, participate in the war in Afghanistan, and suffered casualties in the fighting <ref>http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/oef.casualties/,/</ref>

In March 2003, France was one of over a hundred nations that did not participate in the alliance that liberated [[Iraq]], with its aim of removing the [[Baathist]] regime of the dictator [[Saddam Hussein]], though France had committed substantial forces to the First [[Gulf War]]. It reasons for opposing the war were that they did not believe that Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, and France quickly became a figurehead for the anti-war movement globally. Nevertheless, the much disliked former President Chirac has been accused of corruption and other improprieties, making him not an ideal candidate as figurehead of the anti-war movement. French forces did, however, participate in the war in Afghanistan, and suffered casualties in the fighting <ref>http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/oef.casualties/,/</ref>

The current president of France is [[Nicolas Sarkozy]], who defeated Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party in the 2007 election. Sarkozy is a member of the comparatively conservative Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).

The current president of France is [[Nicolas Sarkozy]], who defeated Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party in the 2007 election. Sarkozy is a member of the comparatively conservative Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).