42-61-80-75; FAX [33] (1) 42-66-97-83; there are US
Consulates General in Bordeaux, Marseille, and Strasbourg
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as
the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors have been the basis
for a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland,
Ivory Coast, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French dependent
areas

:France Economy

Overview:
One of the world's most developed economies, France has substantial
agricultural resources and a highly diversified modern industrial sector.
Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, and
subsidies have combined to make it the leading agricultural producer in
Western Europe. France is largely self-sufficient in agricultural products
and is a major exporter of wheat and dairy products. The industrial sector
generates about one-quarter of GDP, and the growing services sector has
become crucial to the economy. After expanding at a rapid 3.8% pace during
the period 1988-89, the economy slowed down in 1990, with growth of 1.5% in
1990 and 1.4% in 1991; growth in 1992 is expected to be about 2%. The
economy has had difficulty generating enough jobs for new entrants into the
labor force, resulting in a high unemployment rate, which rose to almost 10%
in 1991. The steadily advancing economic integration within the European
Community is a major force affecting the fortunes of the various economic
sectors.
GDP:
purchasing power equivalent - $1,033.7 billion, per capita $18,300; real
growth rate 1.4% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9.8% (end 1991)
Budget:
revenues $229.8 billion; expenditures $246.4 billion, including capital
expenditures of $36 billion (1992 budget)
Exports:
$209.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural
products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing
partners:
FRG 17.3%, Italy 11.4%, UK 9.2%, Spain 10.3%, Netherlands 9.0%,
Belgium-Luxembourg 9.4%, US 6.1%, Japan 1.9%, former USSR 0.7% (1989 est.)
Imports:
$232.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron
and steel products
partners:
FRG 18.9%