Geography of France: geographical areas, relief, climate, flora and fauna. Which countries does France border on

Want to know which countries another country borders on? You have come to the right place! Now you will find out which states France has a common border. So, let's begin.

How many land borders with France are there?

8 countries. EIGHT. The longest is with Spain - 623 kilometers, with Belgium - 620 kilometers. France also borders Switzerland - 573 (five hundred seventy three) kilometers. The length of the border with Germany is 451 (four hundred fifty one) kilometers.

How many more countries are left to name?

3! As many as three! France also borders on very small states. For example, Andorroy. The length of the border line is 56 (fifty six) kilometers. And also France borders on another state - Luxembourg, which has the same name for both the city and the country.

The smallest border with the Principality of Monaco

The length is 4.4 (four point four) kilometers. Imagine! The longest border is 623 (six hundred twenty three) kilometers (With Spain), that is, the difference is 618.6 kilometers (six hundred eighteen point six). It is also interesting to know the area of ​​these states. The area of ​​Luxembourg is 2,586 (two thousand five hundred eighty-six) square kilometers, and the area of ​​Spain is 505,990 (five hundred and five thousand nine hundred and ninety) square kilometers. Now it is clear why such numbers.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF FRANCE. Borders of France

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

France is the third largest country in Europe (after Russia and Ukraine), if you count the overseas regions, then the second. The most low point in France - the Rhone delta (2 m below sea level), the highest is Mont Blanc (4,810 m above sea level). France shares borders with 11 countries. The metropolis borders on 8 countries, and the 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: Rhine, Jura, Alps, Pyrenees.

The north of the country is almost at sea level. The center of the country, the Loire Valley, is higher. The relief of the coastal areas of Aquitaine and the regions overlooking the Mediterranean coast is also mostly flat.

Climate of France

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

It is warm here in winter ( average temperature January + 7 ° С), but summer is cool, cloudy (in July + 17 ° С). In the eastern regions of the country, the continental climate dominates: here the annual amplitude is average monthly temperatures reaches 20 ° C. Paris is characterized by mild winters, with an average January temperature of + 3.5 ° C. Protected from northerly winds by the Alps and the Massif Central Mediterranean Sea has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and humid warm winters. In low-lying areas remote from the sea, the average January temperature is also positive, and the 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 rains begin in autumn.

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

Geographic areas of France

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

The central massif is a high-mountain massif in the center of the country, the highest point is the Puy de Sancy mountain (1886 m). The massif contains the sources of many rivers, in Auvergne there are extinct volcanoes. (The screen mountains of the Massif Central - the Cévennes, 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) separate the Alsacettes of Lorraine. The Ardennes (no higher than 700 m) are located in the north-west of France.Their name comes from the Celtic word "oak".

The north of the country is almost at sea level. The center of the country, the Loire Valley, is higher. The relief of the coastal areas of Aquitaine and the regions overlooking the Mediterranean coast is also mostly flat. The Loire, which is more than a thousand kilometers long, gave its name to the wine-growing region - the Loire Valley, which is divided into five large regions: Muscode-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 central French massif, 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 in France, it rose during the Alpine era, with the softer rocks in the Alps crumpled into folds, and the dense rocks of the Central French Massif broken 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, on the surface of the array, many extinct volcanoes and other volcanic landforms.

The Armorican massif, occupying the territory of the Brittany and Cotentin peninsulas, is less uplifted and less fractured by cracks in comparison with the Central French massif. However, despite the low heights, the Armorican massif is deeply dissected by river valleys and there are few leveled areas. Steep slopes prevail, which, in combination with marginal soils, limits the possibilities for the development of agriculture.

The Vosges Mountains, which separate the fertile Rhine Valley in Alsace from the rest of France, are only 40 km wide. The flattened and forested surfaces of these mountains rise above deep valleys. A similar landscape prevails in the north of the country in the Ardennes (their main mass is located in Belgium). The Paris Basin is located in the north of central France, surrounded by the Armorican Massif, the Central French Massif, 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 course of the Garonne, has less fertile soils and is planted with coniferous forests. The Graben of the Rhone and Saone in southeastern France forms a narrow passage between the Alps to the east and the Massif Central to the west. It consists of a series of small depressions separated by highly dissected uplifted areas.

Rivers of France

Most of the rivers in France, starting in the Massif Central, flow into the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea. The Seine (775 km, from lat. "Calm") is a flat river. It forms a widely ramified system with large right tributaries of the Marne and Oise and the left tributary of the Ionne. The Seine is navigable and provides the movement of goods between Paris and Rouen.

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

The Rhone (812 km, the nickname of the river - "the angry bull") is the deepest river in France, begins in the Swiss Alps from the Rhone glacier, flows through Lake Geneva... The Saone River flows into it near Lyon. Other major tributaries are Durance and Isere. Has an important hydropower and transport value. Provides water supply to the cities located on the Cote d'Azur. It is navigable downstream of the tributary - the river En. Also plays a large role in agriculture (used for irrigation).

Loire (1020 km) - the most long river France begins in the Massif Central. The river receives many tributaries, the main of which are 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-flowing (it increases by about eight times) and only by summer does the water subside. In earlier times, important trade routes and it was called the queen river. The banks of the Loire are composed of white limestone, which was used for the construction of temples and palaces. The Loire is navigable to the city of Rouen. Has an important tourist value.

Minerals of France

Coal deposits are found in the foothill and intermontane depressions of the Hercynian mountains in northern France, in Lorraine and in the Massif Central. The total reserves of bituminous coal are estimated at 2-3 billion tons, and the predominance is low-quality coals, little coking coal and anthracite. In the Massif Central and in other Hercynian uplands, the largest reserves of uranium ore in Europe have been discovered; here antimony, gold and other non-ferrous metals are mined in small quantities.

The largest iron ore deposits in Europe have been found in the layers of Jurassic limestones 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, they are shallow and the ores contain natural fluxes. Nearby, east of Nancy, rock salt deposits are known. The western part of the French Alps (Prealps) is composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly limestones, the eastern, higher - crystalline rocks. The centuries-old activity of ice, snow and melt water has led to the strong dismemberment of the Alps.

The Pyrenees (France owns only their northern slopes) is much lower than the Alps (~ 2500m). Especially majestic is the huge glacial circus Gavarnie with almost sheer walls 400-500 m in height, from where waterfalls rush down, giving rise to the river. By. In our time, there are almost no glaciers in the Pyrenees.

Powerful mountain systems The Alps and Pyrenees have large reserves of water, their vast subalpine and alpine meadows are used for pastures, forests provide raw materials for the woodworking industry. Here are the centers international tourism and mountaineering.

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

• Barite - 1,300 thousand tons (total), 800 thousand tons (confirmed)
• Bauxite - 100 million tons (identified), 53 million tons (total), 13 million tons (confirmed)
• Tungsten - 40 thousand tons (revealed), 20 thousand tons (total), 20 thousand tons (confirmed)
• Gas - 9.7 billion cubic meters
• Iron ore - 2,200 Mt (total, confirmed)
• Tin - 65 thousand tons (total, confirmed)
• Fluorspar - 14 million tons (total), 10 million tons (confirmed)
• Silver - 4000 tons (total), 2000 tons (confirmed)
• Lead - 700 thousand tons (total), 320 thousand tons (confirmed)
• Brown coal - 161 million tons (total), 14 million tons (confirmed)
• Bituminous coal - 441 million tons (total), 15 million tons (confirmed)
• Data are given as of 01.01.2007.

Flora and fauna of France

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

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

If you were lucky and you lived in Paris in your youth, then wherever you are later, he will stay with you until the end of your days, because Paris is a holiday that is always with you.
Ernest Hemingway

France is a spicy, sophisticated and romantic country of lovers, a country that never ceases to attract and delight us. Whoever has visited this country at least once, got in touch 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 every 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 position of France

France (French Republic, République Française) is located in the western part of Europe, belongs to the Western European states and in terms of area occupies the first place among the western European countries... The total area of ​​the country is 551,500 km 2 (land area - 545 630 km 2). France owns an island Corsica v Mediterranean sea.

The territory of the country is almost a regular hexagon. Even ancient historians and geographers noted an unusually convenient geographical location France. Strabo wrote that "Providence itself raised mountains, brought the seas closer, laid riverbeds in order to create here the most flourishing 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 areas France- plains ( The Parisian Basin and others) and low mountains; in the center and in the east - mid-altitude mountains (Central French Massif, 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, in the east transitional to continental, in the Mediterranean - subtropical. Summers are quite hot (in July-August from + 20 ° C to + 25 ° C), winters are mild (in January from 0 to + 3 ° C) and rather damp, although it rarely snows. The most favorable time to visit Paris- May and September-October, Riviera- September. Mountain areas have their own microclimate inherent in areas of high-altitude zonation.

On Corsica long and hot summer - from May to October + 21-27 ° С. Winters are quite cold (from +6 to 14 ° С in the valleys and up to -6 ° С in the mountains), on the mountain slopes the snow lies until June. The influence of the winds is very great, each of which has its own name - "libekchio", "mistral" (north and west), "sirocco" (south-west), "levante" (east), "grekale" (north-east) and "Tramontane" (northern) and in its own way affects the weather. Best months to relax on Corsica- May-June and September-October.

Population of France

France inhabited mainly by the French. However, due to the powerful flow of migration, ethnic composition the country has changed significantly. The country is home to many Portuguese, Italians, Spaniards, Moroccans, Turks, Algerians, immigrants from other African countries. The overwhelming majority of the population (over 80%) professes Catholicism. Official language- French, which is spoken by most of the population. The population of many countries uses French Of 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

Major tourism centers: - this is the capital of the country - Paris, with its many museums and monuments; valley Loire where the magnificent medieval castles and palaces ( Blois, Cheverny, Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Amboise, Chenonceau, Langeais, 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 from his warm sea and almost untouched landscapes; Basque country with its distinctive culture and Atlantic resorts ( Biarritz and etc.); regions Normandy, Brittany, Burgundy, Languedoc, Provence and a picturesque valley Rhone... Of particular interest for tourism and recreation are also balneological resorts based on medicinal mineral waters, which are especially numerous in the southern and central parts of the country.

Paris- the capital of France, starting from the X century. ad. Together with the suburbs ( Versailles, Saint Denis, Ivry and others) forms the "Greater Paris". There is hardly a person in the world who would not like to visit Louvre and Versailles; climb onto 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 once read novels Dumas, with Latin Quarter described Hemingway and other writers. Paris- this is a "holiday that is always with you"!

The main sights of Paris stretch towards the city center, towards Seine... Off the island Site, 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 Orangery. Large museums are located on the left bank Seine- this is the Gare d'Orsay Impressionism Museum, the Museum of Medieval Art Cluny, Museum Rodin and Atelier Bourdelle... The architecture of Paris is diverse in terms of centuries and styles. Main architectural ensembles: notre dame cathedral, Eiffel tower, Champs Elysees , Triumphal Arch, Sorbonne, Louvre.

For decades France- the most popular tourist site... Every year, the country is visited by the same number of tourists as there are French people. According to the French themselves, here are the finest wines, the best cuisine in the world, beautiful architecture- Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Royal Castles, Versailles and Disneyland, great story, The Louvre and the Musée 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 variety, which is due to the wide range of products used and the different ways of preparing them. It should be borne in mind that different regions of France have their own favorite dishes with original technology. For example, in the southern regions of the country, food is spicy, used for its preparation of wines and spices, especially garlic and onions. Inhabitants Alsace more pork and cabbage, coastal residents - more seafood, etc. These differences can be seen in the consumption of one or another type of fat used for cooking. For example, in the northern and central regions, butter is used more, in the south, olive oil.

Despite regional differences, the French national cuisine has distinctive characteristics. 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 making appetizers, first and second courses, as well as side dishes ... Vitamin-rich vegetables such as asparagus, artichokes, leeks, and lettuce are especially popular. A prominent place is given to salads from vegetables, both fresh and canned. As a rule, the second meat dishes are served with green salad, 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 the first. Cheese must be served before dessert. Cheese and bread and wine are a typical French worker's breakfast. Dozens of varieties of cheese are produced in France. Among them are such well-known ones as Roquefort, Gruyere, Camembert, etc.

Another feature of French cuisine is the wide variety of sauces. There are over three thousand of them. Sauces are widely used in the preparation of meat dishes, salads, various cold snacks; they greatly diversify food.

For French national cuisine the use of wine, cognac and liqueur in the preparation of many dishes is also characteristic. 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, highly acidic wines are boiled before use.

French customs

The French are proud of their democratic traditions, so they react painfully to the emphasis, as they see it, of social and racial inequality. The contempt of a Frenchman can be evoked by a hint of skin color or by calling the waiter "garcon". The French are traditionally friendly towards Russians.

The usual tip is 5-10% (of course, at your discretion). Tipping is usually given to waiters, maids, porters in the hotel, taxi drivers. Sometimes a restaurant bill says “service comprised”, which means “gratuity included”.

Transport system of France

France has an extensive network railways and the fastest in Europe system high speed trains TGV... The fare depends on the distance, train class, travel time and the age of the passenger. When entering the platform, you need to compost Railway tickets, the trains themselves also have controllers. Public transport in France is the metro (in Paris, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse and Rouen), buses and trams in some cities. The Paris metro consists of 16 lines, it operates from 5:30 to 00:30. Travel tickets can be purchased at all stations, as well as at some tobacco kiosks. Buses generally run from 06:30 to 00:30 at large 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 taxi stands or ordered by phone. Catching a taxi on the street is almost impossible. Outside, by the front glass of each taxi, there is a counter with a flag: raised - taxi is free, lowered - busy. There are two payment rates: weekday rate and weekend rate. holidays and nights. Taxi boarding and luggage are paid additionally. To rent a car, you need to have an international license, a passport and credit card... The driver must be at least 21 years old and have a driving experience of at least a year. Car rental offices are located in hotels, airports, train stations and city centers.

Time in France

The entire territory of the country is located in a single time zone - GMT + 1. France is practicing the transition to " summer time”, Therefore 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 in excess of 7.5 thousand euros (or other currency in equivalent) are subject to declaration. A foreign currency converted into euros can only be re-converted into a foreign currency up to the equivalent of 800 euros.

In addition to personal items, you can import duty-free up to 1 liter of spirits, drinks with a strength 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 products (fish - up to 2 kg, caviar - 250 g, products of animal origin - up to 1 kg) and other goods (for persons over 15 years old) in the amount of 15 euros (for children - 10 euros).

Attention! The labeling of the shelf life of food products is required.

The import and export of drugs, items of historical value, weapons and ammunition, as well as animals and plants included in the list of endangered species are prohibited. When importing medicines for personal use, no permission is required, but you must have a prescription issued by a doctor or lawyer with you.

Plants, animals and plant products must be presented to the quarantine officials. Animals must have a vaccination certificate, as well as a medical certificate for 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 issue a "bordero" - an inventory for export; 3) you leave European Community within 3 months. On the day of departure, you need to present the Bordero received in the store to the customs service (together with the purchased goods - for possible inspection). You will receive the refund upon your return to your country by check by mail or by transfer to a credit card, either at the airport at a specially authorized bank, or at a special kiosk " Tax Free for Tourists ". 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. post offices or tobacco kiosks. There are discounts for 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
Reference in Russian: 01-40-07-01-65

International roaming is provided by all major cellular operators.

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

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

Sights of France

Embassy and Consulate of Russia in France

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

Photo galleries

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

With 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 its neighbors? And where, in fact, is such a state as France located? To say that in Western Europe would be true. But this answer is incomplete. After all, France still has the so-called overseas territories, which used to be nothing more than colonies. And if we take into account these countries and islands, then the number of neighbors will increase.

The answer to the question of who France borders on also 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 among the 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 on? 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 in the Old World, that is, in Western Europe, and "overseas territories". The first includes a large one lying near the coast of the country in the Mediterranean Sea. But even without taking into account its and overseas territories, mainland "central" (or "old") France is still the leader in terms of 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 to the east, and Spain to the southwest. But this opinion is wrong.

Consider the "dwarfs"!

Alongside the giant countries such as Germany and Spain (which are slightly inferior to France in terms of territory), very small states have also taken refuge. This is primarily Switzerland. It, unlike France, is not a member of the European Union, it retains 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 a member of the EU, the Schengen Agreement, and the euro area. In the east, France borders on Germany. But one thing squeezed in between them dwarf state- Luxembourg. Not far from the Franco-Italian border there is another principality of miniature size - Monaco. The principality is an enclave, since it is surrounded on all sides by France. However, Monaco has its own personal outlet to the sea. Another "dwarf" wedged in between France and Spain in the southwest. This is Andorra. The principality is interesting because its co-rulers are equally (according to the medieval pareage treaty) the Republic of France and the King of Spain. Andorra is not part of the Schengen area. Therefore, in order to come to this Pyrenean principality, which does not have airports, in theory, you need a multiple-entry visa.

Who does France border on on the European continent?

Let's summarize. So, the land borders make France a neighbor of seven European countries. These are Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, Monaco on the east side and Spain with Andorra on the southwest. 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 is the border with Spain. It runs through the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Bay of Biscay Atlantic Ocean... The length of this border is 623 kilometers. The cordon 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 diminutiveness of the latter. Among the small but independent principalities, Luxembourg has the longest border with France - 73 kilometers. Andorra (60 km) and Monaco (only a little over four kilometers) round out the list.

Sea frontiers

From the west, France is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, the state has no close neighbors from the other side of the world. We have already figured 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 of it. This island belongs to Italy. However, France also has land borders with this Apennine state. If we add up all the sea cordons of the republic, then we get a pretty solid figure - five and a half thousand kilometers.

Overseas Territories

France has long been a metropolis and owned colonies. Now these territories are named differently. But nevertheless, they significantly expand the list of those countries with which France borders. Some of these territories are departments, that is, their inhabitants are considered full French citizens. These are: Guadeloupe, Mayota, Martinique Reunion and Guiana.

There are also overseas communities. They are usually located on islands. These are French Polynesia, and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna. Among the territories that the Republic owns is New Caledonia, an administrative-territorial entity with a special status.

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 European state expanded. Even if we do not take into account the islands and Adelie Land, the length of the land borders increases significantly. The longest is the cordon with Brazil - 730 kilometers. Suriname, which is adjacent to the west, has a common border with it for 510 km. The shortest cordon in overseas territories located 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.