Interesting facts about France

August 13, 2009 | In: Countries facts

The name “France” comes from “Frank”, a Germanic tribe that invaded the Western Roman Empire in the 6th century and founded the first independent kingdom covering most of today’s France.

Every summer more than 100 professional cyclists race in the Tour de France. The race is approximately 2,000 miles long. The race lasts up to three weeks.

Nearly 20% of the territory of France lies outside Europe. France touches three major bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean (Bay of Biscane), Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel.

An important emblem of France is the cockerel (le coq). It is used on the sportswear of French national teams.

Most French people learned English at school but are afraid to speak it because they fear their English isn’t good enough to be understood.

It is estimated that there are between 200,000 and 1 million illegal immigrants in France.

The only Disneyland in Europe is located near Paris.

It is believed the word denim originated in France. Other words with their origins in France are the guillotine, chauvinism and sadism.

The Eiffel Tower was made using 9441 tons of wrought iron .