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Africa Guides

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Asia Guides

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Caribbean Guides

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Central America

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Europe Guides

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Middle East Guides

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North America

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Pacific Guides

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South America

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France was originally part of the Celtic territory also known as Gaul or Gallia. Its present name comes from the Latin Francis, meaning ‘country of the Franks’, a Germanic people who occupied the area during the 5th century, at the time of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It became an independent country in the 9th century.

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Since the 17th century, France has been a major player in European and world events. In the 20th century, it underwent several crises, including the destruction brought on by two world wars, political and social upheavals and the loss of a huge empire in Indochina, Algeria and West and Equatorial Africa.

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