Although the old historic provinces of France were abolished by the Revolution, they remain the fundamental geographic, cultural and economic divisions of the country. These provinces reflect the natural geographic regions of France and, despite modern administrative centralization, retain their striking diversity. Agriculture plays a major role in the French landscape. Since the early 1670s, sixty percent have disappeared in the agricultural sector (Andreas). Agriculture in France is a necessity although it only represents about four percent of the working population and only three percent contributes to GDP. France, whose farms export more agricultural food products than any other EU country, is the only country in Europe to be completely self-sufficient in basic food production. France is one of Europe's leaders in terms of the value of agricultural exports, notably wheat, sugar, wine and beef. In 1998, thirty-five percent of the French surface area was suitable for cultivation (Andreas). Since the 1950s, the number of farms has decreased and the size of individual farms has increased (Andreas). In 1983, there were approximately 1.13 million farms, up from 2.3 million in 1955, and the average farm size was approximately 64 acres (Andreas). The average farm size had increased to approximately 124 acres by 2000 (Andreas). French law provides for equal rights in matters of inheritance. Traditionally, much agricultural land was divided into small, scattered fragments. One of the main objectives of post-war rural improvement plans was the consolidation of rural improvement through reallocations. Such consolidation also promotes the growth of mechanization such as transportation. The French transport system is one of the best in Western Europe (Mills). The French railways, which were na...... middle of paper ......e to the president. The bicameral legislative power is composed of the National Assembly and the Senate. Deputies in the National Assembly, which has 577 seats, are elected for a five-year term in single-member constituencies (Pearson). The 348 senators are elected for a six-year term in each department by an electoral college composed of deputies, members of the district council and members of the municipal council of the department, half of the Senate being elected every 3 years (Pearson) . France is the monarch country of Western Europe. The current Constitution of France declares the country to be worldly and democratic, with its power derived from the people. The nation's ideals are expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, one of the world's first human rights documents, formulated during the French Revolution of the late 18th century..