About France
France is a country that is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and the English Channel. Its total land area is approximately 643,801 square kilometers. Explore this map and content and know about this country.
Some Facts about France |
|
|---|---|
| Capital | Paris |
| Population | 67.4 million |
| Area | 643,801 square kilometers |
| Language | French |
| Currency | Euro |
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic |
| President | Emmanuel Macron |
| National Holiday | Bastille Day (July 14) |
| Famous Landmarks | Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Palace of Versailles |
| Major Rivers | Seine, Loire, Garonne, Rhone |
| National Anthem | La Marseillaise |
| Sports | Football (soccer), rugby, cycling |
| Time Zone | Central European Time (CET) |
| Flag | Blue, white, and red vertical stripes |
French History
From the Roman conquest to the French Revolution and beyond, France has played a pivotal role in European history and has left an indelible mark on the world.
Early History
The earliest known inhabitants of what is now France were the Gauls, a Celtic people who lived in the area from the 5th century BC. The Romans conquered Gaul in the 1st century BC and joint it into the Roman Empire. During this time, many Roman structures were built, including aqueducts, amphitheaters, and temples.
Middle Ages
From the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, the Frankish Kingdom emerged as the dominant power in the region. In the Middle Ages, France was ruled by a series of powerful monarchs, including Charlemagne, who helped to expand the Frankish Kingdom and establish Christianity as the dominant religion. During the Renaissance, France became a center of culture and art, and many of the country’s most famous landmarks were built during this time.
French Revolution
In the 18th century, France was rocked by the French Revolution, which began in 1789 and led to the downfall of the monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic. The revolution was fueled by a growing sense of inequality and injustice among the French people, who were divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The revolution resulted in the Reign of Terror, a period of intense violence and political repression, before ultimately giving way to a more stable government under Napoleon Bonaparte.
Modern France
France played a major role in both World War I and World War II, and has since become a leading member of the European Union. France has also undergone significant social and political changes in recent years, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and the election of Emmanuel Macron as the country’s president in 2017.
Geography of France: From the Alps to the Atlantic
France is located in Western Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the English Channel to the north, Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, Germany and Switzerland to the east, and Italy, Monaco, and Spain to the south.
Landforms
France has a varied landscape, with several distinct regions. The northern part of the country is characterized by low-lying plains and rolling hills, while the southern part of the country is more mountainous. The French Alps, located in the southeast, is home to some of the tallest peaks in Europe, including Mont Blanc, which is the highest mountain in Western Europe. The Pyrenees, located in the southwest, form a natural border with Spain. Other notable mountain ranges in France include the Massif Central and the Vosges.
France is also known for its extensive coastline, which spans over 3,400 miles. The French Riviera, located in the south, is a popular destination for tourists and is known for its Mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches. Other coastal regions include Brittany, Normandy, and the Atlantic Coast.
Rivers and Lakes
France is home to several major rivers, including the Seine, the Loire, and the Rhone. The Seine is perhaps the most famous, as it flows through Paris and is lined with iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. The Loire is the longest river in France and is known for its scenic countryside and historic chateaus. The Rhone is an important transportation artery and is home to several major cities, including Lyon and Avignon.
France also has several large lakes, including Lake Geneva and Lake Annecy, which are popular tourist destinations for their stunning natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Climate
France has a temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. However, the climate varies depending on the region. The south of France, for example, has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The northwest of France has a maritime climate, with mild temperatures and frequent rainfall.
Regions of France
France is divided into 13 metropolitan regions, which are further divided into 96 departments.
| Region | Capital | Area (km²) | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | Lyon | 69,711 | 8,032,925 |
| Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | Dijon | 47,784 | 2,821,982 |
| Bretagne | Rennes | 27,208 | 3,293,208 |
| Centre-Val de Loire | Orléans | 39,151 | 2,570,966 |
| Corse | Ajaccio | 8,680 | 342,295 |
| Grand Est | Strasbourg | 57,433 | 5,557,886 |
| Hauts-de-France | Lille | 31,813 | 6,003,989 |
| Île-de-France | Paris | 12,012 | 12,278,210 |
| Normandie | Rouen | 29,906 | 3,315,703 |
| Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux | 84,036 | 5,958,909 |
| Occitanie | Toulouse | 72,724 | 5,938,168 |
| Pays de la Loire | Nantes | 32,082 | 3,789,067 |
| Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | Marseille | 31,400 | 5,082,221 |
Major cities in France
| City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | Île-de-France | 2,140,526 |
| Marseille | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | 861,635 |
| Lyon | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | 515,695 |
| Toulouse | Occitanie | 486,828 |
| Nice | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | 342,295 |
| Nantes | Pays de la Loire | 309,346 |
| Strasbourg | Grand Est | 280,966 |
| Montpellier | Occitanie | 285,121 |
| Bordeaux | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | 257,804 |
| Lille | Hauts-de-France | 232,787 |
| Rennes | Brittany | 216,815 |
| Reims | Grand Est | 182,460 |
| Le Havre | Normandy | 170,147 |
| Saint-Étienne | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | 170,102 |
| Toulon | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | 167,816 |
| Grenoble | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | 158,552 |
| Dijon | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | 155,327 |
| Angers | Pays de la Loire | 151,056 |
Airports in France
| Airport | City | Region | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles de Gaulle Airport | Paris | Île-de-France | CDG |
| Orly Airport | Paris | Île-de-France | ORY |
| Nice Côte d’Azur Airport | Nice | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | NCE |
| Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport | Lyon | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | LYS |
| Marseille Provence Airport | Marseille | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | MRS |
| Toulouse-Blagnac Airport | Toulouse | Occitanie | TLS |
| Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport | Bordeaux | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | BOD |
| Nantes Atlantique Airport | Nantes | Pays de la Loire | NTE |
| Strasbourg Airport | Strasbourg | Grand Est | SXB |
| Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport | Montpellier | Occitanie | MPL |
| Lille Airport | Lille | Hauts-de-France | LIL |
| Biarritz Pays Basque Airport | Biarritz | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | BIQ |
| Brest Bretagne Airport | Brest | Brittany | BES |
| Carcassonne Airport | Carcassonne | Occitanie | CCF |
| Grenoble–Isère Airport | Grenoble | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | GNB |
| La Rochelle – Île de Ré Airport | La Rochelle | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | LRH |
| Rennes–Saint-Jacques Airport | Rennes | Brittany | RNS |
| Tours Val de Loire Airport | Tours | Centre-Val de Loire | TUF |
Famous tourist places in France
| Tourist Attraction | Location |
|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower | Paris |
| Louvre Museum | Paris |
| Palace of Versailles | Versailles |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | Normandy |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral | Paris |
| Arc de Triomphe | Paris |
| Château de Chambord | Loire Valley |
FAQs
1. What is the capital city of France?
Ans: The capital city of France is Paris.
2. How many regions does France have?
Ans: 13 administrative regions
3. What are the most famous landmarks in France?
Ans: Eiffel Tower, Mont Saint-Michel, and the Palace of Versailles.
4. What is the official language of France?
Ans: The official language of France is French.
5. What is the currency of France?
Ans: The currency of France is the Euro.