Who does France border on? Geographical location of France. Who does France border with: land and sea borders Countries with which France borders

If you are lucky and you lived in Paris in your youth, then no matter where you are later, it will remain with you until the end of your days, because Paris is a holiday that is always with you.
Ernest Hemingway

France is a piquant, sophisticated and romantic country of lovers, a country that never ceases to attract and delight us. Anyone who has visited this country at least once, came into contact with its culture, felt the breath of time and history, plunged into French carelessness and “savoir vivre”, will return here again and again, discovering something new for themselves each time.

France- a country where you can enjoy amazing natural landscapes, the fruits of the historical past and rich cultural heritage, the best wines and cuisine in numerous restaurants, bars and cafes.

Geographical location of France

France (French Republic, Republique Française) is located in the western part of Europe, belongs to Western European countries and ranks first among Western European countries in terms of area. The total area of the country is 551,500 km2 (land area - 545,630 km2). France owns the island Corsica V Mediterranean Sea.

The country's territory is almost a regular hexagon. Even ancient historians and geographers noted the unusually convenient geographical location France. Strabo wrote that “Providence itself raised mountains, brought seas closer, laid river beds to create here the most prosperous place on earth.”

From UK France separated by a narrow strait Pas de Calais. France in the south it borders with Spain (border length 623 km) and Andorra (60 km), in the southeast with Monaco(4.4 km), in the northeast with Belgium (620 km) and Luxembourg(73 km), in the east with Switzerland (573 km) and Italy (488 km), with Germany (451 km) - in the east and northeast.

Western and northern regions France- plains ( Parisian pool etc.) and low mountains; in the center and east there are medium-high mountains ( Massif Central, Vosges, Yura). In the South-West - Pyrenees, in the southeast - Alps(highest point France And Western Europe- mountain Mont Blanc, 4807 m).

Climate

Climate France temperate maritime, transitional to continental in the east, subtropical in the Mediterranean. Summer is quite hot (in July-August from +20°C to +25°C), winter is mild (in January from 0 to +3°C) and quite damp, although it rarely snows. Best time to visit Paris- May and September-October, Riviera- September. Mountain areas have their own microclimate, characteristic of high-altitude areas.

On Corsica long and hot summer - from May to October +21-27°C. Winters are quite cold (from +6 to 14°C in the valleys and up to -6°C in the mountains); snow remains on the mountain slopes until June. The influence of winds is very great, each of which has its own name - “libecchio”, “mistral” (northern and western), “sirocco” (southwestern), “Levante” (eastern), “Grecale” (northeastern) and “tramontane” (northern) and has its own influence on the weather. Best months to go on vacation Corsica- May-June and September-October.

Population of France

France inhabited mainly by the French. However, due to the powerful flow of migration, the ethnic composition of the country has changed significantly. The country is home to many Portuguese, Italians, Spaniards, Moroccans, Turks, Algerians, and people from other African countries. The vast majority of the population (more than 80%) professes Catholicism. The official language is French, which is spoken by most of the population. The population of many countries uses French Africa, Haiti, French Guiana. English is also used (widely only in Paris), if you speak English in the suburbs or in the outback, you may not be understood.

Features of France

Main tourism centers: - this is the capital of the country - Paris, with its numerous museums and monuments; valley Loire, where magnificent medieval castles and palaces have been preserved ( Blois, Cheverny, Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Amboise, Chenonceau, Lange, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Usse, Valence, Chinon And Angers); Cote d'Azur with its world famous resorts ( Cannes, Nice and etc.); Alpine and Pyrenean mountain and ski resorts; island Corsica with its warm sea and almost untouched landscapes; the Basque country with its distinctive culture and Atlantic resorts ( Biarritz and etc.); regions Normandy, Brittany, Burgundy, Languedoc, Provence and a picturesque valley Rhone. Balneological resorts based on healing mineral waters, which are especially numerous in the southern and central parts of the country, are also of particular interest for tourism and recreation.

Paris- the capital of France, starting from the 10th century. ad. Together with the suburbs ( Versailles, Saint Denis, Ivry etc.) forms “Greater Paris”. There is hardly a person in the world who would not like to visit Louvre And Versailles; climb on Eiffel Tower, wander through the halls of the station d'Orsay and center Pompidou. Nothing beats the French capital! A special spirit reigns here, here you are surrounded by history itself, associations with novels you once read Dumas, With Latin Quarter, described Hemingway and other writers. Paris- this is a “holiday that is always with you”!

The main attractions of Paris stretch towards the city center, towards Seine. Not far from the island Cité, which is often called the “heart of Paris”, is located Louvre- one of the greatest museums in the world. If you go from the Louvre to Champs Elysees then in the garden Tuileries You can see the small buildings of the Museum of Impressionism and the Orangerie. Large museums are also located on the left bank Seine- this is the Gare d'Orsay Museum of Impressionism, the Museum of Medieval Art Cluny, Museum Rodin and Atelier Bourdelle. The architecture of Paris is diverse in centuries and styles. Main architectural ensembles: Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel tower, Champs Elysees, Triumphal Arch, Sorbonne, Louvre.

For many decades now France- the most popular tourist attraction. Every year there are as many tourists in the country as there are French people. According to the French themselves, there are the most exquisite wines, the best cuisine in the world, beautiful architecture - Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, royal castles, Versailles and Disneyland, great history, the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, the famous Cannes Festival and the splendor of high society.. France is a trendsetter, the birthplace of champagne and cognac, the world's best perfumes and the most delicious cheeses are made here.

National cuisine of France

French national cuisine is distinguished by its diversity, which is due to the wide range of products used and the different methods of their preparation. It should be borne in mind that different regions of France have their own favorite dishes that have original technology. Thus, in the southern regions of the country, food is distinguished by its spiciness and the use of wine and spices for its preparation, especially garlic and onions. Residents Alsace residents of coastal areas consume more pork and cabbage, residents of coastal areas consume more seafood, etc. These differences can also be seen in the consumption of one or another type of fat used for cooking. For example, in the northern and central regions they use more butter, in the south - olive oil.

Despite regional differences, French national cuisine has characteristic features. This is, first of all, the widespread use of vegetables and root crops. Potatoes, various varieties of onions (including shallots, which give food a specific taste), green beans, spinach, cabbage of various varieties, tomatoes, eggplants, celery, parsley, salads are used for preparing appetizers, first and second courses, and also as side dishes . Vitamin-rich vegetables such as asparagus, artichokes, leeks, and lettuce are especially popular. A prominent place is given to vegetable salads - both fresh and canned. Main meat courses are usually served with green salad and cabbage salad.

Compared to other countries Western Europe French cooking uses less milk and dairy products. The exception is cheeses. They are used to prepare various dishes, including first courses. Cheese must be served before dessert. Cheese with bread and wine is the usual breakfast of a French worker. France produces dozens of types of cheese. Among them are such well-known ones as Roquefort, Gruyere, Camembert, etc.

Another feature of French cuisine is a wide variety of sauces. There are over three thousand of them. Sauces are widely used in the preparation of meat dishes, salads, and various cold appetizers; they have a lot of variety in their food.

French national cuisine is also characterized by the use of wine, cognac and liqueur in the preparation of many dishes. In this case, the wine, as a rule, undergoes significant digestion, as a result of which the wine alcohol evaporates, and the remaining composition gives the food a specific taste and pleasant aroma. Only natural red and white dry and semi-dry wines are used. In order to reduce acidity, very acidic wines are boiled before drinking.

French customs

The French are proud of their democratic traditions, so they are sensitive to what they see as emphasis on social and racial inequality. A Frenchman's contempt can be aroused by hinting at skin color or by calling the waiter a "garçon." The French traditionally treat Russians kindly.

The usual tip size is 5-10% (at your discretion, of course). It is customary to tip waiters, maids, hotel porters, and taxi drivers. Sometimes a restaurant bill says “service compris,” which means “tips are included in the price.”

Transport system of France

France has an extensive railway network and the fastest Europe high speed train system TGV. The fare depends on the distance, train class, travel time and passenger age. When entering the platform, you need to validate your train tickets; there are also ticket inspectors on the trains themselves. Urban transport in France is the metro (in Paris, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse And Rouen), buses and in some cities trams. The Paris metro consists of 16 lines and operates from 5:30 to 00:30. Tickets for travel can be purchased at all stations, as well as at some tobacco kiosks. Buses generally run from 06:30 to 00:30 in major cities and until 20:30 in the provinces. Tickets can be purchased at tobacco kiosks, special ticket sales points, as well as on the bus itself. Taxis can usually be found at special stands or ordered by phone. It is almost impossible to catch a taxi on the street. Outside the front window of each taxi there is a counter with a flag: raised - the taxi is free, lowered - busy. There are two payment rates: a weekday rate and a rate for weekends, holidays and nights. Taxi boarding and luggage are additionally paid. To rent a car you need to have an international driving license, a passport and a credit card. The driver must be at least 21 years old and have at least a year of driving experience. Offices of rental companies are located in hotels, airports, train stations and city centers.

Time in France

The entire territory of the country is in a single time zone - GMT+1. France practices daylight saving time, so the time difference with Moscow is minus 3 hours, and from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October - minus 2 hours.

French customs regulations

The number of imported and exported means of payment is not limited. Cash and securities worth more than 7.5 thousand euros (or other currency equivalent) must be declared. Foreign currency converted into euros can only be re-translated into foreign currency up to the equivalent of 800 euros.

In addition to personal items, you can import up to 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages duty free, drinks with an alcohol content of less than 22° - up to 2 liters, 2 liters of wine, 200 pcs. cigarettes, 500 g of coffee (or 200 g of coffee extracts), up to 50 g of perfume (eau de toilette - up to 250 g), tea - 100 g (or 40 g of tea extracts), as well as food (fish - up to 2 kg, caviar - 250 g, animal products - up to 1 kg) and other goods (for persons over 15 years old) in the amount of 15 euros (for children - 10 euros).

Attention! Labeling expiration dates on food products is mandatory.

The import and export of drugs, objects of historical value, weapons and ammunition, as well as animals and plants listed as endangered species is prohibited. When importing medicines for personal use, no permit is required, but you must have a prescription issued by a doctor or lawyer.

Plants, animals and plant products must be presented to quarantine officials. Animals must have a certificate of vaccinations, as well as a medical certificate in French, issued no earlier than five days before departure.

Export discount in France

You will be able to take advantage of the French VAT exemption - “TVA”, provided that, 1) the value of your purchases in the same store is 300 € (in some stores starting from 250 €); 2) upon purchase, you will fill out a “bordereau” - an inventory for export; 3) you will leave European Community within 3 months. On the day of departure, you need to present the bordereau received in the store to the customs service (together with the purchased goods - for possible inspection). You will receive your refund upon return to your country by check by mail or transfer to a credit card, or at the airport at a specially authorized bank, or at a special “Tax Free for Tourists” kiosk. This system does not apply to food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco

Telephone codes, internet, electricity in France

France - 33, city codes: Paris - 1, Bordeaux - 56, Cannes - 93, Strasbourg - 88, Marseille - 91, Lyon - 78, Nice - 93. You can call from public telephones using telephone cards, which are sold in post offices or tobacco kiosks. There are discounts on calls: from 22.30 to 08.00 on weekdays and from 14.00 on weekends.
Police - tel: 17
Ambulance - tel.: 15, in Paris - 48-87-27-50
Fire brigade – 18
Information desk in Russian: 01-40-07-01-65

International roaming is provided by all major mobile operators.

The Internet is available everywhere - at airports, train stations, hotels, shopping centers, regular cafes and Internet cafes.

Mains voltage 220 V, 50 Hz, European type sockets.

Sights of France

Embassy and Consulate of Russia in France

Address: Paris, Boulevard Lannes, metro station "Avenue Foch", tel.: 01-45-04-05-50.

Photo galleries

Ski town Club Med Arcs Altitude (now the Club mmv Altitude hotel)
Club Med Cargese town, Corsica
Club Med Opio en Provence, France
Ski town Club Med Valmorel (France)
Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris
Ski town Club Med Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Club Med Valmorel
Town renovation Club Med Opio en Provence
Club Med Grand Massif Samoens Morillon
Club Med Les Arcs Panorama

Author Nastya Krupskaya asked a question in the section Other things about cities and countries

what countries does France border with and got the best answer

Answer from YOTASYAN WINCHESTER[guru]

1. Mayotte;
2. New Caledonia;
3. Saint Pierre and Miquelon;
4. Wallis and Futuna;
5. French Polynesia;

and 4 overseas regions:
1. Guadeloupe;
2. Martinique;
3. Reunion;
4. French Guiana.

I have already answered the same question before. And 1 answer was blatantly copied, since a male person personally checked it on the map =]
Source: 09/04/2011 13:24 (UTC+4)

Answer from Darkhan Urustimov[active]
It borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Andorra. (I personally checked it on the map :)).

This is if we talk about the LAND borders of the MAIN part of the country located in EUROPE. In addition, France has overseas possessions in North and South America, the West Indies, the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
If you get into this jungle, then this:
1) Guadeloupe (islands in the eastern Caribbean)
2) Martinique (island in the eastern Caribbean)
3) Reunion (island east of Madagascar)
4) French Guiana (bordered on the west by Suriname, on the south and east by Brazil, and washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the north and northeast).
5) Mayotte (located in the Mozambique Channel, in the western Indian Ocean, between northern Mozambique and northern Madagascar. Consists of the main island, Grande Terre (or Mahore), the smaller Petite Terre (or Pamanzi) island and several other tiny islets (geographically belongs to the Comoros Islands).

6) Saint Barthelemy (a group of islands in the Caribbean)
7) Saint Martin (part of an island in the Caribbean)
8) Saint Pierre and Miquelon (located on small islands in the Atlantic Ocean, several tens of kilometers south of Newfoundland)
9) Wallis and Futuna (islands in the South Pacific, about 2/3 of the way between Hawaii and New Zealand)
10) French Polynesia (130 islands located in the South Pacific Ocean).
11) New Caledonia (a group of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean)
But I doubt how appropriate it is to talk about a neighbor across the sea with Great Britain. Because in most reference books the emphasis is on LAND borders.

Answer from Vologda lacemaker[guru]
At your age, it’s time to teach you how to use a card, and not ask your kind uncles and aunties for an answer.

Answer from Marina astafieva[guru]
Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and small ones: Luxembourg, Andorra, Monaco.

Answer from Veronica Zaitseva[newbie]
FRANCE borders Belgium and Luxembourg in the northeast; with Germany in the northeast and east; with Switzerland in the east; with Monaco and Italy in the southeast; with Spain and Andorra in the southwest.
Also under the sovereignty of France there are 6 overseas territories:
1. Mayotte;
2. New Caledonia;
3. Saint Pierre and Miquelon;
4. Wallis and Futuna;
5. French Polynesia;
6. French Southern and Antarctic Territories.

and 4 overseas regions:
1. Guadeloupe;
2. Martinique;
3. Reunion;
4. French Guiana.

All these territories are islands except French Guiana.

FRENCH GUIANA borders Suriname to the west; with Brazil to the south and east.

LOCATION OF FRENCH GUIANA:
I've answered the same question here before. And 1 answer was blatantly copied, since a male person personally checked it on the map =]

The geographical position of France makes it a neighbor of eight states at once. Some French borders run on land, while others run across seas and oceans.

Land borders of France

The French state shares borders with the following countries:

With Spain;
Belgium;
Switzerland;
Germany;
Andorra;
Italy;
Luxembourg;
And Monaco.

The smallest border is between France and Monaco. Its length is only 4.4 kilometers. The largest and longest border of France touches Spain and is 623 kilometers long.

This country’s borders with Germany and Switzerland are also impressive, amounting to 451 and 573 kilometers. The French also have their own border with Italy - 488 kilometers long.

The borders of France cover almost all directions of the world, excluding the north, but we are talking here only about the land borders of the country.

Maritime borders of France

France has direct access to the sea. The North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea wash its coastline, the length of which is 3,427 kilometers.

On one of its borders is the English Channel. It connects the country with the kingdom of Great Britain.

The borders of the overseas regions are also part of the borders of France. There the country is connected to the Antilles, Suriname and Brazil.

The large number of borders leaves its mark on the international politics of France. After all, the government has to take into account many diverse interests.

Natural boundaries of the state

In France, many frontiers are of natural origin. For example, the main borders lie through the Alps, the Jura, as well as the Rhine and Pyrenees.

The total length of this country's land borders is 4082 kilometers.

Communication between the French and Spanish is severely limited due to the Pyrenees mountain range. The Alps separate France from Italy and Switzerland, but Lake Geneva helps these countries establish transport links.

The Jura mountain range divides the territories of the French and the Swiss with a relatively low natural barrier. The climate of the French state is so favorable due to the fact that the country is protected on many sides by mountains.

France is a legal and European country that has successfully coexisted with other states for many years. This location of France allows it to regularly enter into profitable economic agreements at the international level. The French are very loyal to the culture of any other country. Perhaps this state of affairs is partly due to their numerous and extensive borders.

France is the largest country in Europe (borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain and Andorra), area 555 thousand km2, length of borders - 5.5 thousand km, of which sea borders - 2.7 thousand km. The country's territory is almost a regular hexagon. Even ancient historians and geographers noted the unusually convenient geographical position of France. Strabo wrote that “Providence itself raised mountains, brought seas closer, laid out riverbeds in order to create here the most prosperous place on earth.”

France is the third largest country in Europe (after Russia and Ukraine); if you count the overseas regions, it is the second. The lowest point in France is the Rhone delta (2 m below sea level), the highest is Mont Blanc (4,810 m above sea level). France borders 11 countries. The metropolis borders on 8 countries, and overseas regions on three. The total length of the land borders is 4,082.2 km. With the exception of the northeastern part of the country, France mainly has natural borders: the Rhine, the Jura, the Alps, the Pyrenees.

Climate of France

Normandy and Brittany are characterized by a maritime climate, which extends its influence over the entire western part of the country. Brittany has a particularly mild and humid climate, characterized by small differences between summer and winter temperatures, as well as cloudy days with strong winds.

It is warm here in winter (average January temperature is +7°C), but summer is cool and cloudy (in July +17°C). The eastern regions of the country are dominated by a continental climate: here the annual range of average monthly temperatures reaches 20°C. Paris is characterized by mild winters, the average January temperature is +3.5°C. Sheltered from the north winds by the Alps and the Massif Central, the Mediterranean coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and humid, warm winters. In lowland areas far from the sea, the average January temperature is also positive, and summer is much warmer. In the southern part of France on the coast, the climate is Mediterranean subtropical: summers are dry and hot, winters are warm, but the rains begin in autumn.

In Nice the average temperature in July is +23°C, in January +8°C. In the mountains - the Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central - there are low winter temperatures, strong winds, abundant precipitation, and long-lasting snow cover. The average annual precipitation in most of the country is 600-1000 mm, and precipitation is distributed relatively evenly throughout the country, with the exception of the Mediterranean coast.

Geographical areas of France

The country has several mountain ranges. The Alps are the highest mountains, stretching from north to south (actually to the Mediterranean Sea) for 370 km, the highest point in Europe is Mont Blanc (4807m) - There are many ski resorts in the Alps, which are considered one of the best in terms of location and equipment in the world. The Jura Mountains are a kind of outskirts of the Alps. There are cold winters and many forests. The Pyrenees stretches for 430 km from west to east, (altitude up to 3000 m), the natural border between France and Spain.

The Massif Central is a high mountain range in the center of the country, the highest point is Mount Puy de Sancy (1886 m). The massif contains the sources of many rivers, and in the Auvergne there are extinct volcanoes. (The screen mountains of the Massif Central - the Cevennes, stretch from north to south, their height is up to 1700 m. This is a kind of climate dividing line: humid in the west; dry in the east. The forested Vosges (approx. 1400 m) separates the Alsace of Lorraine. The Ardennes (no higher than 700 m) are located in northwestern France. Their name comes from the Celtic word for oak.

The north of the country is almost at sea level. The center of the country - the Loire Valley is higher. The topography of the coastal areas of Aquitaine and the regions facing the Mediterranean coast is also mostly flat. The Loire, whose length is more than a thousand kilometers, gives its name to the wine-growing region - the Loire Valley, which is divided into five large regions: Muscodet-Ley-Nantes, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine. Central Loire and Haute-Loire. The region stretches from west to east, so its climate varies from mild maritime in Muscadet to continental - with a sharp difference in temperature: Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.

The French Massif Central, located between the basins of the Loire, Garonne and Rhone rivers, is the largest massif resulting from the destruction of the ancient Hercynian mountains. Like other ancient mountain regions of France, it rose during the Alpine era, with the softer rocks of the Alps folded and the dense rocks of the Massif Central fractured by cracks and faults. Deep molten rocks rose through such disturbed zones, which was accompanied by volcanic eruptions. In the modern era, these volcanoes have lost their activity. Nevertheless, many extinct volcanoes and other volcanic landforms have been preserved on the surface of the massif.

The Armorican massif, which occupies the territory of the Brittany and Cotentin peninsulas, is less elevated and less fractured compared to the French Massif Central. However, despite the low altitudes, the Armorican massif is deeply dissected by river valleys and there are few leveled areas there. Steep slopes predominate, which, combined with infertile soils, limits the possibilities for agricultural development.

The Vosges Mountains, which separate the fertile Rhine Valley in Alsace from the rest of France, are only 40 km wide. The smoothed and forested surfaces of these mountains rise above the deep valleys. A similar landscape prevails in the north of the country in the Ardennes (their main massif is located in Belgium). The Paris Basin is located in north-central France, surrounded by the Armorican Massif, the French Massif Central, the Vosges and the Ardennes. Around Paris there is a system of concentric ridges separated by narrow strips of plains.

The Garonne Lowland, located in southwestern France at the foot of the Pyrenees, is a flat region with fertile soils. The Landes, a triangular wedge-shaped area southwest of the lower Garonne, has less fertile soils and is covered with coniferous forests. The Rhône-Saône graben in southeastern France forms a narrow passage between the Alps to the east and the French Massif Central to the west. It consists of a series of small depressions separated by highly dissected uplifted areas.

Rivers of France

Most of France's rivers, starting in the Massif Central, flow into the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea. The Seine (775 km, from the Latin “tranquility”) is a flat river. It forms a widely branched system with large right tributaries Marne and Oise and left tributary Ion. The Seine is navigable and facilitates the movement of goods between Paris and Rouen.

The Garonne (650 km) originates in the Spanish Pyrenees, flows through Toulouse and Bordeaux, when it flows into the ocean, forming a vast estuary - the Gironde. The main tributaries are the Tarn, Lot and Dordogne. Used in agriculture for irrigation.

The Rhone (812 km, nickname of the river is “angry bull”) is the deepest river in France, begins in the Swiss Alps from the Rhone glacier, flows through Lake Geneva. Near Lyon, the Saône River flows into it. Other major tributaries are the Durance and Isère. It has important hydroelectric and transport significance. Provides water supply to cities located on the Cote d'Azur. Navigable below the tributary - the En River. Also plays an important role in agriculture (used for irrigation).

Loire (1020 km) - the longest river in France begins in the Massif Central. The river receives many tributaries, the main ones being the Allier, Cher, Indre and Vienne. The river is navigable only in the lower reaches, where Nantes and Saint-Nazaire are located. In December and January, the Loire is especially full of water (it increases approximately eight times) and only in summer the water subsides. In former times, important trade routes passed along the Loire and it was called the queen river. The banks of the Loire are composed of white limestone, which was used to build temples and palaces. The Loire is navigable to the city of Rouen. It is of great tourist importance.

Minerals of France

Coal deposits are found in the foothills and intermountain depressions of the Hercynian Mountains in northern France, Lorraine and the Massif Central. The total reserves of hard coal are estimated at 2-3 billion tons, with low-quality coals predominating, few coking coals and anthracites. The largest reserves of uranium ore in Europe have been discovered in the Massif Central and other Hercynian uplands; Antimony, gold and other non-ferrous metals are also mined here in small quantities.

The largest iron ore deposits in Europe were found in the Jurassic limestone layers in the west of the Lorraine plateau. Lorraine ores are not rich: they contain only 30-33% iron and a lot of phosphorus, but their layers are thick, lie shallow and the ores contain natural fluxes. Nearby, east of Nancy, rock salt deposits are known. The western part of the French Alps (Pre-Alps) is composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly limestones, while the eastern, higher part is composed of crystalline rocks. Centuries of activity by ice, snow and meltwater have led to the severe dismemberment of the Alps.

The Pyrenees (only their northern slopes belong to France) are significantly lower than the Alps (~2500m). Particularly majestic is the huge glacier cirque of Gavarny with almost vertical walls 400-500 m high, from where the waterfalls that give birth to the river fall. By. Nowadays, there are almost no glaciers left in the Pyrenees.

The powerful mountain systems of the Alps and Pyrenees have large reserves of water, their vast subalpine and alpine meadows are used for pastures, and forests provide raw materials for the wood processing industry. There are also centers of international tourism and mountaineering here.

The subsoil of France as a whole contains significant reserves of mineral raw materials, especially iron ore, bauxite, potassium and rock salts, but fuel resources are very limited. Mineral reserves as of 2001:

Barite - 1300 thousand tons (general), 800 thousand tons (confirmed)
Bauxites - 100 million tons (identified), 53 million tons (total), 13 million tons (confirmed)
Tungsten - 40 thousand tons (identified), 20 thousand tons (general), 20 thousand tons (confirmed)
Gas - 9.7 billion cubic meters.
Iron ore - 2200 million tons (total, confirmed)
Tin - 65 thousand tons (total, confirmed)
Fluorspar - 14 million tons (total), 10 million tons (confirmed)
Silver - 4000 tons (general), 2000 tons (confirmed)
Lead - 700 thousand tons (general), 320 thousand tons (confirmed)
Brown coal - 161 million tons (total), 14 million tons (confirmed)
Hard coal - 441 million tons (total), 15 million tons (confirmed)
Data are given as of January 1, 2007.

Flora and fauna of France

Forests occupy 27% of the country's territory. Walnut, birch, oak, spruce, and cork trees grow in the northern and western regions of the country. On the Mediterranean coast - palm trees and citrus fruits. Among the representatives of the fauna, deer and fox stand out. Roe deer live in alpine regions, and wild boar survive in remote forests. It is also home to a large number of different species of birds, including migratory ones. Reptiles are rare, and among snakes there is only one poisonous one - the common viper. Many types of fish live in coastal sea waters: herring, cod, tuna, sardine, mackerel, flounder, silver hake.

Source - http://ru.wikipedia.org/

Education

The Republic of France borders on how many countries? This question is not as idle as it seems. This country is large, approximately equal in area to Ukraine. And who are her neighbors? And where, strictly speaking, is a state like France located? To say that in Western Europe would be correct. But this answer is incomplete. After all, France still has so-called overseas territories, which previously were nothing more than colonies. And if you take into account these countries and islands, then the number of neighbors will increase.

The answer to the question of who France borders with depends on whether we take into account the maritime cordons of this power or only the land ones. Indeed, in the first case, Great Britain is included in the number of neighbors. Paris and London are connected by an underground road and rail tunnel across the English Channel. And this already allows us to call France and its old rival Great Britain close neighbors. Who else does this country border with? Read about this in our article.

Geographical position

In terms of territory, France is the largest state in Western Europe. Its area is 551.5 thousand square meters. km. France is usually divided into the “central part”, the one that is located in the Old World, that is, in Western Europe, and the “overseas territories”. The first includes the large island of Corsica, which lies off the coast of the country in the Mediterranean Sea. But even without taking into account its and overseas territories, mainland “central” (or “old”) France still leads in area among Western European states. Its territory on the continent is 545,630 square kilometers. A quick glance at the map gives us an idea that France is bordered by three countries: Germany and Italy on the east side, and Spain on the southwest. But this opinion is wrong.

Consider the "dwarfs"!

Next to giant countries such as Germany and Spain (which are not much smaller than France in territory), there are also very small states. This is primarily Switzerland. Unlike France, it is not a member of the European Union; it maintains its own currency. But Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Agreement. In the northeast, in close proximity to France, is Belgium. This country is part of the EU, the Schengen Agreement, and the euro currency area. In the east, France borders Germany. But squeezed between them is one dwarf state - Luxembourg. Not far from the Franco-Italian border there is another principality of miniature size - Monaco. The Principality is an enclave because it is surrounded on all sides by France. However, Monaco has its own private access to the sea. In the southwest, another “dwarf” is wedged between France and Spain. This is Andorra. The Principality is interesting in that its co-rulers are equally (according to the medieval treaty of paréage) the Republic of France and the King of Spain. Andorra is not part of the Schengen area. Therefore, to come to this Pyrenees principality, which has no airports, theoretically you need a multiple-entry visa.

Video on the topic

Who does France border on the European continent?

Let's summarize. So, land borders make France a neighbor of seven European countries. These are Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, Monaco on the eastern side and Spain and Andorra on the southwestern side. If we take into account maritime cordons, then Great Britain also falls into this list. It is separated from France by the English Channel, the smallest width of which (between Calais and Dover) is only thirty-two kilometers.

The longest border is with Spain. It runs through the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean Sea to the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean. The length of this border is 623 kilometers. The border with Belgium is only 3 km shorter. This is followed by Switzerland (573), Italy (488), Germany (451 kilometers). The length of cordons with dwarf countries is small due to the miniature nature of the latter. Among the small but independent principalities, Luxembourg has the longest border with France - 73 kilometers. And the list is completed by Andorra (60 km) and Monaco (only a little over four kilometers).

Sea frontiers

From the west, France is washed by the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, the state has no close neighbors on the other side of the world. We have already found out who France borders on in the north. On the other side of the English Channel lies the United Kingdom of Great Britain. In the Mediterranean Sea, French Corsica is closely adjacent to Sardinia, which is located to the south. This island belongs to Italy. However, France also has land borders with this Apennine state. If you add up all the maritime cordons of the republic, you get a fairly respectable figure - five and a half thousand kilometers.

Overseas territories

France was a metropolis for a long time and owned colonies. Now these territories are called differently. But nevertheless, they significantly expand the list of countries with which France borders. Some of these territories are departments, meaning their residents are considered full French citizens. These are: Guadeloupe, Mayotte, Martinique Reunion and Guiana.

There are also overseas communities. As a rule, they are located on islands. These are French Polynesia, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna. The territories owned by the Republic include New Caledonia, an administrative-territorial entity with a special status.

The island of Saint Helena is owned by Great Britain. But the place of Napoleon's exile and the valley in which the emperor is buried belongs to France. The Republic also staked out Adelie Land in Antarctica. But this is contrary to UN rules, and claims to this territory are considered unfounded.

States bordering France "overseas"

Based on the above, the list of neighbors of a European state has expanded. Even if we do not take into account the islands and Terre Adélie, the length of the land borders increases significantly. The longest is the cordon with Brazil – 730 kilometers. Suriname, which is adjacent to French Guiana in the west, has a common border with it of 510 km. The shortest cordon in the overseas territories is on the island of Saint Martin. Its length is a little over ten kilometers. But this border divides a tiny piece of land into two halves. The southern part - Sint Maarten - is part of the Netherlands Antilles.

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Capital of France

Photography - the capital of France

Main location: Paris

Paris is the capital of France, the main economic and cultural center of the country.

The city was founded in III. A century before we count. The area occupied by the city is 105.4 km² and the population is 2,233,818 according to the 2010 census.

Compared to previous years, the population has increased.

The time difference in Moscow is +1 in summer, and +2 in winter, which has little effect on the process of accommodating tourists in changing time zones.

The national language is French and the euro is the unit of national currency (EURO). Euro to Russian ruble exchange rate: EUR 1 = 46 rubles.

According to statistics from 2008, more than 300,000 foreigners lived in Paris, representing about 14% of the total population of the French capital. According to the religious composition of the city's population, 80% of Christians are Christians and 75% are Catholics.

Paris is a big city, and many large cities are known to suffer from environmental pollution.

But in recent years, the environment has improved. Construction of factories outside the city ended in the 1920s. Most of the pollution comes from automobile exhaust gases.

Geography of France

In the sky above the city there is a blue balloon that changes color depending on the air condition. The condition of the Seine River has improved and some experts are convinced that, as circumstances converge, it will be possible to swim in the Seine in the near future.

The Eiffel Tower is the most famous and world famous site of the French capital. The tower was created by the architect Eiffel, and his great opening was in 1889. Today it is difficult to imagine the city without the famous tower.

At the top of the tower there is an observation deck and a revolving restaurant. In the second stage of the tower you can visit the reconstructed study of the Eiffel.

The Louvre was once the palace of French kings, each of whom made changes to the palace. Currently, the Louvre is an architectural monument, as well as the most famous museum in the world.

Here are the originals of almost all paintings by world famous artists, Egyptian scrolls, Assyrian palaces and much more.

The Latin Quarter is another interesting glimpse into the capital. The name of the quarter was obtained due to the already existing university, where classes were in Latin and even in the open air. Later a university was built, but only in the 17th century. There are still quite a lot of students here, although the number of tourists here is impressive, so the Latin Quarter is, not surprisingly, a "motive" of the public.

Capital of France

Find out where France is on an interactive map.

Return to Form of Government

“France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic.”

This was established by the French Constitution of 1958. The Basic Law established a republican form of government, which has a mixed character, since it has the features of a presidential republic (the head of state is elected without the participation of parliament, the government is appointed by it) and a parliamentary republic (the government is responsible to the lower house of parliament) .

The main feature of the 1958 constitution is the concentration of political power in the hands of the executive bodies. The concentration of power in the hands of the head of state and government is one of the manifestations of the constitutionally enshrined authoritarian tendency in the French political regime. The President is at the top of the hierarchy of government bodies. Article 5 of the Constitution assigns to him the obligation to ensure “by his arbitration the normal functioning of state bodies, as well as the continuity of the state.”

The same article declares that the president is “the guarantor of national independence, territorial integrity, compliance with Community agreements and treaties.”

The President has broad legislative prerogatives. He is vested with the right of legislative initiative. In relation to parliament, the president has the power to dissolve the lower house of parliament.

The legislative body of the Republic - the parliament - plays a relatively small role in the political life of the country. Parliament consists of two chambers - the National Assembly and the Senate.

The main function of parliament - passing laws - is severely limited by the constitution. The Constitution precisely defines the range of issues on which Parliament has the power to make laws. Issues not included in this list are the responsibility of the government. Parliament's rights are also limited in the financial sphere.

The Constitution sets a certain deadline for Parliament to pass financial bills. Parliament has the right to control the activities of the government.

The French government is the Council of Ministers, according to Art. 20 of the Constitution, “determines and conducts the policy of the nation.” The government consists of the Prime Minister - the head of government, ministers heading ministries, and state secretaries leading the divisions of individual ministries.

How many countries does France border on?

The government is responsible to the National Assembly. If the resolution of censure is passed by an absolute majority of the National Assembly, the government must resign. The Constitution specifically outlines the powers of the Prime Minister. He is entrusted with responsibility for national defense, he must ensure the implementation of laws and carry out rule-making activities.

The Constitutional Council is a special body that monitors compliance with the Constitution. All laws before their promulgation by the President and regulations of the chambers before their adoption must be submitted to the consideration of the Constitutional Council, which gives an opinion on whether they comply with the Constitution. If the Constitutional Council decides that a particular act is contrary to the Constitution, it has the right to repeal it.

Also, the powers of the Constitutional Council include monitoring the progress of presidential elections and referendums.

The process of concentration of political power in the hands of executive bodies led to a change in the status of parliament.

Government authorities are given ample opportunities to influence parliament, and in some cases to act “over its head.”

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FRANCE. The official name of the country is the French Republic

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The official name of the country is the French Republic

(La Republique Française)

Area (with offshore islands and Corsica)

551.6 thousand sq. km

Population: 62.9 million people. (2006)

Capital: Paris

Geographical position. The largest country in Western Europe. In the northeast it borders with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, in the east - with Germany and Switzerland, in the southeast - with Monaco and Italy, in the southwest - with Spain and Andorra. On the Mediterranean coast, the territory of France embraces the dwarf coastal state of Monaco on three sides.

In addition to the continental part, the state also includes: the island of Corsica and several other smaller islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Biscay. France is a metropolis that has “overseas departments” - Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guiana, Reunion, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, New Caledonia, French Polynesia and several small archipelagos in the Pacific Ocean. The total area of dependent territories is 127 thousand.

km. square, where 1.9 million people live.

France has wide access to the seas. Its sea border is longer than its land border. The country's seashores are washed by the Northern and Mediterranean seas, the Pas de Calais straits, the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. After the opening of the Channel Tunnel, which separates France from Greater Britain, a dry border with this country emerged, with French border guards stationed at a checkpoint near the entrance to the tunnel on the British coast.

The area of France is 551 thousand square meters. km (including Corsica). The length of its sea borders is 3120 km.

Interesting:The longest tunnel under the seabed is the Channel Tunnel, 49.94 km long. Despite the fact that it is inferior in length to the Seikan Tunnel (Japan), its underwater section is 24.7 km longer than the Seikan Tunnel. The tunnel officially opened in 1994.

The length of France's land borders is 2070 km. Almost a quarter of the dry state border runs along the difficult ridge of the Pyrenees.

In the east, the border runs along the Alps, where there are many convenient passes. A special feature of the state’s geographic location is also its proximity in the north and east to the most developed part of Western Europe, which stretches from Central England to Northern Italy.

The main point for France's foreign relations has always been its eastern land border, where the most important trans-European routes pass.

Thus, within the framework of trans-European airlines, transit airports in Paris are actively developing, which provide transit to the countries of North America.

One of the axes of European development passes through France - the most important land transport corridor in the world - London - Paris - Geneva - Milan - Rome.

Compactness coefficient = 4*3.14*551600 / (3120+2070)2 = 0.26 - meridional elongation of the country’s territory

Territory. France is divided into 26 regions (régions), of which 21 are located on the European continent, one (“Corsica”) is on the island of Corsica, and four more are in the overseas territories.

Regions do not have legal autonomy, but can set their own taxes and manage their budgets.

The 26 regions are divided into 100 departments (départements), consisting of 342 districts (arrondissements) and 4,039 cantons (cantons). The basis of France are 36,682 communes.

The division into departments and communes is comparable to the division of Ukraine into regions and districts.

The department of Paris consists of a single commune.

The four overseas regions (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion) each consist of a single department. The region of Corsica (including 2 departments) has a special status as an administrative-territorial entity, different from other regions of the metropolis (continental France).

All these regions are part of the European Union.

Currently, the use of the names of the historical provinces (Brittany Burgundy, Gascony, Alsace, Languedoc, Lorraine, Normandy, Provence, Flanders, Champagne), into which the country was divided before the bourgeois revolution, is maintained. (slide)

The natural environment in France is relatively little polluted, and many lands are protected.

Coat of arms (slide)

The modern coat of arms of France is a lictor's bun with an axe, laurel and oak branches.

The old royal coat of arms was a crowned shield with three lilies. Since some kings sometimes combined two crowns, French and Navarre, and Henry IV did this definitively, the coat of arms had two shields. On the second was the symbol of Navarre - crossed chains.

The complicated image could have shield holders - laurel branches.

Flag (slide)

The French tricolor of three vertical stripes - blue, white and red - conveys the three main ideas of the French Revolution (and later revolutionary movements) - freedom, equality and fraternity.

Which countries does France border on?

This combination of colors owes its origin to the Marquis de Lafayette, who proposed to revolutionary-minded citizens to wear a tricolor, red, white and blue cockade. Red and blue have long been considered the colors of Paris (and the revolutionaries took advantage of this on the day of the storming of the Bastille), and white was the color of the French monarchy.

First appearing in 1790, the French tricolor was then slightly modified (originally red was at the hoist, that is, on the left) and redesigned in 1794. Although the tricolor fell out of use after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, it reappeared in 1830 - with the assistance of the same Marquis de Lafayette - and remains the flag of France to this day.

The old royal flag was gold lilies on a white background (oriflamme).

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France- a country in Western Europe.

Official name of France:
French Republic.

French territory:
The national territory of the French Republic is 547,030 km².

Population of France:
The population of France is more than 60 million people.

Who's with France? Geographical location of France

residents (60,180,529 people).

Ethnic groups of France:
More than 90% is French. France is one of many countries that do not keep official statistics on ethnic groups. Any database on the "true or suspected racial or ethnic origin of citizens" is a criminal offense in France.

At the same time, it is known that France has one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe, numbering 600,000 Jews. Large number of immigrants from Africa. The Armenian diaspora is important.

Average life expectancy in France:
The average life expectancy in France is 79.28 years (see World Life Expectancy Ranking).

Capital of France:
Paris.

Great cities of France:
Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille.

Official language of France:
French.

Religion in France:
Believers in France are mostly Catholic (more than 76%), and about 15% of the French population are Muslim.

Geographical location of France:
France is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north (Bay of Biscay and English Channel), and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Lyon and Ligurian Sea).

France is bordered to the south by Spain, to the northeast by Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, and to the east by Italy and Switzerland.

Western and northern regions of France - plains (Parisian basins, etc.) and lowlands; in the center and east there are medieval mountains (the French massif central, Vosges, Jura). In the southwest are the Pyrenees, in the southeast are the Alps (the highest point in France and Western Europe is Mont Blanc, 4807 m).

River France:
Seine, Rhone, Loire, Garonne, to the east - part of the Rhine River.

Administrative divisions of France:
France is divided into 26 regions (regions), of which 21 are on the European continent, one (Corsica) is on the island of Corsica and four are in the overseas territories.

Regions have no legal autonomy, but they can determine their own taxes and manage budgets.

In 26 regions, 100 departments (departments) are allocated, which are then divided into 342 districts (districts).

Foreign real estate in France.
Many territories (mostly islands) belong to France, but are far from the main European territory.

Foreign departments (Regions) of France:

Guadeloupe (la Guadalupe)

Martinique

Reunion

French Guiana (la Guyane)

Foreign communities (communities) of France:

Saint Barthelemy

Saint Martin (Saint Martin)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon (Saint Pierre and Miquelon)

Wallis and Futuna (Wallis and Futuna)

French Polynesia

Overseas Special (Associated) Territory of France:

New Caledonia (la Nouvelle-Calédonie)

French overseas territory without permanent residents:

French southern and Antarctic territories (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises)
In the Indian Ocean:

on the islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul (l’île Amsterdam, l’ile Saint-Paul)

Crozet (Archbishop of Crozet)

Kerguelen Islands (les îles Kerguelen or les iles de la Désolation)
In Antarctica (proclaimed allegiance contradicts UN decisions):

Country Adela (la terre adélie)

Small (“scattered”) islands (lam Éparses).
In the Indian Ocean (subordinate to the French southern and Antarctic territories):

Bassas da India (Bassas da India)

Europa (island) (Europe)

Famous Islands (Gloria)

Tromelin (island) (Tromelin)

Juan de Nova

In the Pacific:

Clipperton (l'ile Clipperton)

French government structure:
The head of state is the president.

The government is headed by the prime minister.

The legislative branch is a bicameral parliament.

National Assembly - 577 members elected for 5 years;
Senate of the Republic - 321 members elected for 9 years.

France

The French Republic is the largest state in Western Europe, with an area of 551.5 thousand square kilometers.

The continental territory of the country occupies the extreme western part of the European continent. France also includes the island of Corsica and several other smaller islands of the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Biscay. France has possessions in America, Africa and Oceania. Their total area is 127 thousand square meters. km, and the population is about 2 million.

Human. The most important of them are “overseas territories”: Guiana (French), the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, New Caledonia, French Polynesia.

Sea borders are longer than land borders. The length of the coastline is 3427 km, and the land borders are 2892 km long.

In the north, France is separated from England by the narrow English Channel and Pas de Calais. In the west it is washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean, and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea.

The state has land borders with Belgium in the northeast, with Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland in the east. France borders Italy in the southeast, and Andorra and Spain in the southwest.

Most of the land borders run along high mountains or other natural barriers: in the southwest, France is separated from Spain by the Pyrenees, in the southeast, the border with Italy and Switzerland runs along the Alps and the Jura, the Franco-German border in a large area is the Rhine, and only in In the north, the lowlands of France imperceptibly merge with the plains of Belgium.

Relief

In the northwestern and northern regions of the country, flat or hilly plains (the Garonne Lowland, the Paris Basin) and low mountains predominate; in the center and east there are medium-high mountains (the French Massif Central, the Vosges, part of the Jura Mountains).

Lowlands or plains are usually the basins of large rivers. Along the southwestern and southeastern outskirts, i.e. Along the borders with Spain and Italy, respectively, are the high ridges and massifs of the Pyrenees and Alps. The highest point in France and Western Europe is Mont Blanc, located in the French Alps and having a height of 4807 meters. Most often, all mountain formations in France are divided into 2 groups: new (Alps, Pyrenees, Jura) and old (Vosges, Massif Central).

Natural areas
Hardly any other country offers such a varied palette of landscapes: the Alps, midlands, numerous plateaus, vast plains, vast forests.

Who does France border on: land and sea borders

The sea coasts of France stretch for 3120 km and are also very picturesque: granite cliffs in Brittany, long ridges of dunes on the Atlantic coast, sandy beaches and bays on the Mediterranean Sea.

The southern slopes of the mountains and hills of the Massif Central are completely covered with vineyards. In France, brown forest soils predominate, locally leached and podzolized; in the south there are brown soils of dry forests and shrubs, red soils.

The largest forest areas predominate in the western regions of Aquitaine, in the east of the Paris Basin, in the Alps and in the Pyrenees. Forests cover 24% of the territory of France - mainly oak, beech, chestnut, pine, in the mountains - also spruce and fir. In the south there are evergreen forests and shrubs of the Mediterranean type.

Nature reserves Pelvou (in the Alps), Camargue (in the Rhone delta) and others.

Palm trees and citrus fruits are grown on the Mediterranean coast.

Among the representatives of the fauna, deer and fox stand out. Roe deer live in alpine regions, and wild boar survive in remote forests. There are a large number of different species of birds, including migratory ones, reptiles are rare, and among snakes there is only one poisonous one - the viper.

The coastal sea waters are home to a large number of fish species: herring, cod, tuna, sardine, mackerel, flounder, silver hake.