France
By Nikki Coryell, Period 6, 5-5-15
Geography
Physical Map of France
Political Map of France
France and it's surroundings
Climate
Culture
French is the most common language in France, but France has many minorities representing different groups, and there are different languages spoken by different groups. There are many Latin-based languages from Roman times that are still spoken in France, for example, Occitan which is spoken is southern France. The Corsican dialect that is used on the island of Corsica evolved from Latin in the Middle Ages. Basque is also a popular language using in the western Pyrenees.
There are many different religions in France, Roman Catholicism is the most common, but there are also many Protestants in the country. Also, France has the largest Jewish population in Europe.
The people in France celebrate many important holidays. Some people celebrate traditional holidays like Easter, Christmas, All Saints' Day. In France, they also celebrate some holidays that are special to their country and Europe. One of these holidays that they celebrate is Bastille Day on July 14th. Bastille day is in honor of the storming of Bastille on the 14th of July 1789. On this day, there is a military parade, along with fireworks and dancing.
Artistic creativity is very highly valued in France. French authors have won more than a dozen Nobel prizes for literature which is more than any other country. Painting is a vital art form in France, and the impressionist movement was extremely important to the French history and the development of art. (Britannica, 2015)
Sightseeing Activities
The Eiffel Tower in Paris
Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris
The Louvre Museum
Current Information
France is one of the world's major economic powers. At first, industry and agriculture dominated the economy, but recently, services have become the leading source of jobs and income.
The currency in France is the Euro, and one Euro is equal to $1.10 in the United States of America.
The French government is a republic, and the current Constitution is Fifth Republic. France has an elected president, currently Francois Hollande. The President elects a prime minister which is currently Manuel Valls. Finally, the French parliament is made up of two chambers, or houses.
Some important crops in France include corn in the southwest, wheat in the lowlands, and grapes in the south and southwest which help make France a major wine producer. (Britannica, 2011)
Food
One of France's most famous foods is the Éclair. The Éclair was invented by Marie Antonin Careme, who was a well known French chef at the beginning of the 19th century. An Éclair is a hollow pastry that is filled with cream, and has a coat of chocolate on top.
Recipe:
1. mix 3 egg yolks, 4 tbs sugar, 2 tbs flour, 2 tbs corn starch, 1 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup vanilla and put mixture in to bake for 15 minutes to make the pastry
2. melt the chocolate and add whipped cream for to chocolate sauce.
3. combine the butter, water, salt, flour, and 2 eggs for the filling, and put the filling in the pastry when they are finished baking.
4. pour the chocolate sauce on top
Transportation and Lodging
To get from O'hare airport in Chicago to Charles de Gualle airport in Paris takes about 9 hours non-stop. Our flight leaves at 3:10 pm on May 5th, and will land at approximately 6:45 am on May 6th, and we will be departing from Paris on May 12th. The total cost of the round trip airfare is $1,588.70. You will be staying in the Hotel Ares Eiffel in Paris. It costs about 198 euros a night for a room with one double bed, and a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. While in Paris, you will be visiting many famous places. First, on May 6th you will be visiting the Eiffel Tower, which will cost about 14 euros. On May 7th, you will visit the Louvre museum, which costs 9 euros. On May 8th, you will be visiting the Cathedral of Notre Dame for 3 euros. On May 9th, you will be exploring the streets of Paris, and doing some shopping, with a budget of 50 euros. On May 10th, you will be having a classic French dinner for about 60 euros. On May 11th, you will be going on a final tour of Paris. Finally, on May 12th, you will be relaxing in your hotel until your flight back to Chicago. Your total cost not including hotel and airfare will be about 136 euros, which is about 152 US dollars.
Citations
Works Cited
"Chocolate Eclairs." Eugenie Kitchen. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2015. <http://eugeniekitchen.com/eclairs/>.
"Eiffel Tower." Britannica. N.p.: Britannica, 2011. N. pag. SIRS Discoverer. Web. 28 Apr. 2015. <http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000321651>.
"France." Britannica. N.p.: Encyclopedia Britannica, 2011. N. pag. SIRS Discoverer. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000321922>.
"French Eclair." Craftsy. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2015. <http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/03/french-eclairs/>.
Hennessey, William J. "Cathedral of Notre Dame." World Book. Chicago: Worldbook, n.d. N. pag. World Book Student. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. <http://classic.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar395760&st=cathedral+of+notre+dame>.
"History of Crepes." Monique's Crepes. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://www.moniquescrepes.com/a-brief-history-of-crepes/>.
"Louvre Museum." Encyclopedia Britannica. N.p.: n.p., 2011. N. pag. SIRS Discoverer. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. <http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000336428>.
The official website of France. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2015. <http://www.france.fr/en/celebrations-and-festivals/french-holidays-and-traditions.html>.
"A Short Guide to the Institutions of Power in France." About France. About France, 2003. Web. 30 Apr. 2015. <http://about-france.com/political-system.htm>.