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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
ÃŽle-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 ÃŽle-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 ÃŽle-de-France CDG
Orly Airport Paris ÃŽle-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.