sulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Pamela C. HARRIMAN
embassy:
2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08
mailing address:
Unit 21551, Paris; APO AE 09777
telephone:
[33] (1) 4296-12-02 or 42-61-80-75
FAX:
[33] (1) 4266-9783
consulate(s) general:
Bordeaux, Marseille, Strasbourg
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known
as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors are similar
to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland,
Cote d'Ivoire, 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. Largely self-sufficient in
agricultural products, France 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.
Although French GDP contracted by 0.7% in 1993, the economy showed
signs of life by yearend. GDP growth, however, will remain sluggish in
1994 - perhaps reaching only 1.0%. Rapidly increasing unemployment
will still pose a major problem for the government. Paris remains
committed to maintaining the franc-deutsche mark parity, which has
kept French interest rates high despite France's low inflation.
Although the pace of economic integration within the European
Community has slowed down, integration presumably will remain a major
force shaping the fortunes of the various economic sectors.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.05 trillion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
-0.7% (1993)
National product per capita:
$18,200 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
12.2% (May 1994)
Budget:
revenues:
$220.5 billion
expenditures:
$249.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $47 billion (1993
budget)
Exports:
$270.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transportation e