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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]]. French forces did, however, participate in the war in Afghanistan, and suffered casualties in the fighting [http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/oef.casualties/,/]

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]]. 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>

==Gaul==

==Gaul==

Back during the time of the [[Roman Republic]], France was a territory called Gaul, populated by Celtic tribes. [[Julius Caesar]] conquered Gaul, thanks to the lack of unity among the tribes. Gaul remained an important part of the [[Roman Empire]] for several centuries.

Back during the time of the [[Roman Republic]], France was a territory called [[Gaul]], populated by [[Celtic]] tribes. [[Julius Caesar]] conquered Gaul, thanks to the lack of unity among the tribes. Gaul remained an important part of the [[Roman Empire]] for several centuries.

==Frankland under Clovis==

==Frankland under Clovis==

==Government==

==Government==

France is a democratic Republic, governed by a [[President]] and [[Parliament]]. Its current [[President]] is the right-wing [[reformist]] Nicolas Sarkozy, who has promised to modernize France's economy, regularly described as being too [[socialist]] with its reliance on government bodies and flagging industries.{{fact}}

France is a democratic Republic, governed by a [[President]] and [[Parliament]]. Its current [[President]] is the right-wing [[reformist]] Nicolas Sarkozy, who has promised to modernize France's economy, regularly described as being too [[socialist]] with its reliance on government bodies and flagging industries.{{fact}} Two millions Frenchmen have left France for other countries, concerned with France's high taxes and "anti-growth" economic policies. Many of these have settled in Great Britain.<ref>http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2007/05/02/two-million-french-have-escaped-france/</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

*[[French Wars]]

*[[French Wars]]

   

   

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:EU Members]]

[[Category:EU Members]]

[[Category:NATO members]]

[[Category:NATO members]]

[[Category:France| ]]

[[Category:France| ]]