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.
GREAT BRITAIN
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, comprising England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. London is the capital, and George V, since 1910, has been King of Great Britain and Emperor of India. The coast line measures about twenty-eight hundred miles, and the English navy is equal to any other two. "The sun never sets on her colonial possessions," and her world-trade is the largest of any nation.
Manufacturing is the leading industry. Most of the large cities are near the coal-fields in the north central part. London, Liverpool and Edinburgh are the principal ports.
England has no fear of losing India, but does not look with favor on Russia's Balkan ambitions. At the same time she is opposed to the spread of a great German empire from Holland to the Ægean Sea, which would upset the English doctrine of small independent states and the "balance of power" in Europe.
BELGIUM
A democratic kingdom ruled by Albert, since 1909 (capital Brussels). Its length is 165 miles and width 120; the population about 650 to the square mile, composed of Flemish and Walloons—the former of French and the latter of German extraction.
Belgium is low and flat in the north; hilly and timbered in the south. The country is well watered and networked with canals. Rich in minerals, it is a prominent manufacturing country. Linens, laces, cottons and woolens, carpets, machines and cutlery are exported, with coal, iron and farm products. The imports are coffee, sugar, petroleum, hides and raw materials. Agriculture is carried to great perfection, but the country is not self-supporting.
Brussels is a great manufacturing center, and Antwerp the principal seaport.