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France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various overseas islands and territories located in other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. France is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain. With an estimated population of 64.5 million people, France is the19th most populous country in the world.

It is the most visited country in the world, receiving 82million foreign tourists annually (including business visitors, but excluding people staying less than 24 hours in France). France is one of the founding members of the European Union, and has the largest land area of all members. France is also a founding member of the United Nations, and a member of the Francophonie, the G8, NATO, and the Latin Union. France features cities of high cultural interest (Paris being the foremost), beaches and seaside resorts, skiresorts, and rural regions that many enjoy for their beauty and tranquility (green tourism). Aside of casual tourism France attracts a lot of religious pilgrims to Lourdes, a town in the Hautes-Pyrénées département, that hosts afew million tourists a year. Popular tourist sites include: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles, Musée Picasso, and many others.

France is the leading asylum destination in Western Europewith an estimated 50,000 applications in 2005 (a 15% decrease from 2004). TheEuropean Union allows free movement between the member states. While the UK (along with Ireland) did not impose restrictions, France put in place controlsto curb Eastern European migration.

France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. France's economy combines extensive private enterprise (nearly 2.5million companies registered) with substantial (though declining) governmentintervention. The government retains considerable influence over key segments of infrastructure sectors, with majority ownership of railway, electricity, aircraft, and telecommunications firms. It has been gradually relaxing its control over these sectors since the early 1990s. The government is slowly selling off holdings in France Télécom, Air France, as well as the insurance, banking, and defense industries.

Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, and EU subsidies have combined to make France the leading agricultural producer and exporter in Europe. Wheat, poultry, dairy, beef, andpork, as well as an internationally recognized foodstuff and wine industry are primary French agricultural exports. EU agriculture subsidies to France total almost $14 billion.

Generally speaking, France is not an attractive location for individuals or companies seeking to limit taxation. There are, however, some particular features of the French tax system which are attractive for certain individuals or companies in certain situations. Those looking for low costs and fast, high returns, may find that this country is not as suited to investment perhaps as it is to second home and lifestyle purchases.