FACTBOX: Five facts about euro zone exports to the U.S

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The United States is the second largest market for euro zone exporters, who face difficulties in the form of the strong euro EUR= and weakening U.S. demand.

Below are five facts about trade with the United States.

* The United States accounts for about 13 percent of euro zone exports, making it the bloc's second biggest external trade partner after the UK, on 16 percent.

* Germany has the biggest volume of exports to the United States, more than double the amount of second-placed France, although the proportion is quite low at 7.5 percent.

* Ireland exports the biggest share of its goods and services to the United States (18 percent). Exports to North America in December were the lowest in nearly eight years.

* Tiny Malta, the smallest economy in the euro zone, has the second highest export exposure at 11 percent. Its U.S.-bound exports fell 25 percent in February compared with a year earlier.

* France defied the lackluster trend to record a rise in U.S.-bound exports to a 12-month high in February, helped by strong shipments by Airbus, the planemaking unit of EADS

(EAD.PA).

(Reporting by euro zone bureaux, compiled by Krista Hughes; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)