A republic. Paris is the capital, and the president (since 1913) is
Raymond Poincare. It is more than three-fourths the size of Texas, and
has about two-fifths the population of the United States.
Most of the people live by agriculture, which is carried to a high
standard. Wheat, oats, barley and corn are grown, also root-crops,
fruits, tobacco, grapes and silk. There are rich mines of coal, iron and
lead. In 1912 France ranked fourth in imports and exports. In
manufactures of silk the French predominate, and they make fine muslins,
porcelains, glass, jewelry and clocks.