France

=France and the French Paradox=

Diet:[[image:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2048138042_d971e74e0e.jpg width="250" height="168" align="right"]]
Food is a major part of French culture. French people find much enjoyment in rich foods and meals with multiple courses. The French generally eat a simple breakfast of pastries such as croissants. Lunch and dinner are the main meals of the day, generally consisting of a starter course, a main course, a salad course, and a cheese or dessert course. While diet varies among regions within France, cheese and wine are two staples throughout the country. France is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Europe and the legal drinking age is 18 for hard liquor and 16 for beer and wine, so casual drinking is a regular occurrence. Up until 30 years ago, any wine consumed in the United States was probably from France. The term "French paradox" was coined to describe the contradiction between a high-fat diet and low rates of obesity among the French.

[[image:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3751542453_65eca1817f.jpg width="162" height="250" align="left"]]Health:
It is a common stereotype that all French people smoke and this is how they all manage to stay thin. According to Nanci Hellmich of USA Today and the American Cancer Society, "An estimated 21% of French women smoke, and 33% of French men, compared with 20% of U.S. women and 25% of men." Numbers of French people who smoke are not much higher than American smokers. In the past few years, smoking in public places has been banned. Those who do wish to smoke can do so in special smoking rooms. A poll done in France suggests that 70% of the population supports this ban, according to BBC News. Only 11% of French people are obese compared to 30% of Americans. Another contradiction is the low rate of heart disease among the French, even though they eat a diet rich in fats. Just recently, fast food has become more common as well. Just like French culture has its influence on America, so does America influence other countries.

Sports and Physical Activity:
The most common sports in France are football (soccer), rugby, tennis, sailing, basketball, and cycling. The Tour De France is a major bike race held annually in France. People from all over the world, including America, come to France for this race. Most notably is Lance Armstrong, who has won the Tour De France seven times. The French Open is a major tennis tournament help every Spring that, again, draws people from other countries all over the world. In schools, rugby and football appear to be the most common. Schools even receive grants from the government with the purpose of encouraging sports in school. Another sport that has been gaining popularity is parkour. Described as part martial arts, part freestyle walking, parkour is full of gravity-defying jumps.

[[image:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/4/6057963_61f5f0d153.jpg width="250" height="161" align="left"]]Location and Transportation:
France is bordered by the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay on its North and West sides and the Mediterranean Sea on it's South side. Winters are generally cool and Summers are mild, except for the Southern part of France, which experiences mild Winters and warm Summers. France is also separated from Italy by the Alps, which is a major European mountain range. Public transportation in France is very popular. The railway system alone is the most extensive in Western Europe. This is a sign of the modernity and development of France as a country and is much better for the environment.

French Paradox Video:
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Sources:
France: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France#Geography Culture of France: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_France#cite_note-24 About France: http://www.phpclasses.org/browse/country/fr/ BBC News article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6032125.stm USA Today, The French Diet Connection: http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2005-01-03-french-diet-cover_x.htm The Future of French Wine in America: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5273/is_200407/ai_n20909155/ Roger Federer photo by Ryan Gene: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_nbDvs_dI-kA/Rwww2HoDr2I/AAAAAAAADG0/9b7kbyDd0S4/s576/Federer-044.jpg French cuisine picture: Neeta Lind, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2048138042_d971e74e0e.jpg Train photo: Phillip C, http://farm1.static.flickr.com/4/6057963_61f5f0d153.jpg Cigarette picture: Trailsanderrors, http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3751542453_65eca1817f.jpg [|French Paradox video]