France is a unitary state with a highly decentralized local government explain?

France is a unitary state, meaning that the central government in Paris holds most of the power and authority over the country. However, France also has a highly decentralized system of local government, with significant powers and responsibilities devolved to local authorities.

There are three levels of local government in France: regions, departments, and communes. Each level has its own elected officials and administrative structures, and they are responsible for a range of services and functions, such as education, transportation, social services, and urban planning.

Regions are the largest administrative units in France, with 13 regions covering the entire country. They have significant powers in areas such as economic development, transportation, and regional planning.

Departments are the next level of local government, with 96 departments in France. They are responsible for services such as social welfare, education, and infrastructure.

Communes are the smallest level of local government, with over 35,000 communes in France. They are responsible for local services such as garbage collection, street cleaning, and local planning.

Overall, France's system of local government allows for a significant degree of autonomy and decision-making at the local level, while still maintaining a strong central government. This decentralized system helps to ensure that local needs and priorities are taken into account in the delivery of public services and policies.