List of countries in the world. Facts and information

In many local cafes and restaurants, a glass or two of wine is included in the price of any lunch or dinner. Usually, the wine is brought immediately along with the menu, asking only which one the client prefers - red or white.

The national anthem of France, La Marseillaise, was written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. It is named after the soldiers who marched from Marseille to Paris during the revolution.

The world's first parachutist was a Frenchman named Andre-Jacques Garnerin. On October 22, 1797, he made the first jump in history, jumping out of a hot air balloon at an altitude of about 680 meters.

France's cultural influence spans the globe, being the birthplace of cinema, ballet, bicycles, and women's tights, and significantly enriching lives worldwide.

About 8 million bottles of wine are produced in the country every year, which is only 11 times less than the country's population, including infants and old people. True, a significant part of the wine is exported.

Nuclear energy is well developed here. France ranks first in Europe and second in the world regarding energy generated at nuclear power plants.

Between France and Italy is Monaco's tiny but independent principality, ruled by the Grimaldi dynasty of princes. According to the concluded agreement, France protects Monaco, but if the Grimaldi dynasty ends, Monaco will become part of France.

According to the law, you can't call a pig Napoleon here. The law was passed a long time ago, during the reign of Emperor Napoleon, but no one has repealed it since then.

The country produces a considerable amount of agricultural products and food. This country not only provides for itself but also exports food. About 80% of the entire territory is given over to agricultural land.

License plates for cars were invented and used in France. Later, this practice spread to all other countries.

One of the old French laws prohibited women in Paris from wearing pants. Of course, it was long forgotten until it was remembered in 2012 and repealed.

There are more native French speakers living in former French colonies in Africa than in France itself.

In many local companies, the lunch break is two hours long instead of one, as in most other countries.

Local citizens can marry a deceased person without special permission from the president. This law was passed in the past so that women could officially become the heirs of soldiers who died in the war. The law also protected their honor - if a soldier went to war and his girlfriend was pregnant, she could be looked at askance if she was not officially married.

In Thailand, locals call all white Europeans farang, which is translated from Thai as Frenchman. The reason is simple: the French were the first Europeans to establish relations with Siam, the predecessor of modern Thailand.

The country produces about 400-500 varieties of cheese. About ten percent of them are legally protected; making the same cheeses with the same name in other countries is forbidden. However, producers in different countries often violate this law.

French cuisine is considered to be the best in the world.

Paris is not only the capital but also the largest and most popular tourist center in France.

The Eiffel Tower is one of Europe's most famous and visited landmarks. It is also the tallest building in France. Its height is 312 m, approximately equal to a 70-story building. There are two restaurants, a post office, elevators, and much more operating on the territory of the landmark. You can learn more about this unique structure in France from our article about Paris.

Gavarnie Falls is the highest in the country. Its height is 422 meters.

The Gallic rooster is the national animal of the country.

April Fools' Day, celebrated on April 1, is believed to have originated in France.

France uses a civil law system, the foundations of which were laid during the Napoleonic years.

One of the most important national holidays in France is July 14, which is known as Bastille Day. On this date, the most important event in France's history took place: the storming of the Paris prison Bastille on July 14, 1789. Angering peasants attacked the fortress prison, released the prisoners, and seized the weapons stored there. This event marked the beginning of the Great French Revolution.

It is customary for people to kiss each other on the cheek when greeting each other, even between men. Actual statistics show that the number of kisses varies depending on the region: from one when greeting in the area of Brittany to four in Paris and most of the North, and even up to five in Corsica.

French is the official language in 30 countries.

Nicotine was named after Jean Nicot (1530-1600), a French diplomat and scientist who introduced tobacco to France from Portugal in 1559.

France is the world's number one producer of wine and liqueur.

Famous French inventions include the calculator, the ambulance, the hot air balloon, the cinema, photography and animation, the parachute, and the submarine.

The French agronomist Parmentier used the forbidden fruit method to accustom the French to potatoes. During the day, his potato field was very carefully guarded. However, at night, the guards went to sleep, and by the morning, the field was stripped.