Map of France

Where is France? • French Travel and Tourism

The nation of France, officially known as the French Republic, is located in western Europe. It is bordered on the west by the Bay of Biscay, on the north by the English Channel and Great Britain, on the northeast by Belgium and Luxembourg, on the east by Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, and on the south by the Mediterranean Sea, Spain, and the small nation of Andorra. France, including the island of Corsica, occupies an area of 211,209 square miles and has 2,130 miles of coastline. Paris, the capital city of France and Europe's largest city, is situated in north central France.

France Map > Relief Map of France • France Travel Destinations

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Geography of France

One of France's claims to fame is that it is the largest country in Western Europe, and of all the European countries it boasts some of the most varied scenery. While the northeast has the Vosge Mountains overlooking the Rhine Valley, the southeast is home to the Jura Mountains and the Alps, which separate France from Switzerland. On the other side, the Pyrenees separate France from Spain. The Massif Central between the Rhone-Saone Valley and the basin of Aquitaine is France's only large highland area. This area actually covers one-sixth of the entire country, and boasts dramatic peaks in excess of 5,900 feet. France's scenic hills region comprises Brittany and Normandy, while northern France is made up of lowlands, including the Paris Basin. The Aquitaine Basin is a lowlands area in the southwest, while the Rhone-Saone Valley and the Mediterranean lowlands are located in the southeast.

France's Climate

France has a rather variable climate. Mild weather is prevalent in the west, due to the Atlantic Ocean's moderating influences. In the east, winters are generally colder and summers warmer. In general, the climate becomes more temperate as one travels from north to south. The Mediterranean Sea Coast enjoys dry, hot summers and moist, mild winters, while the Alps, Jura, and Pyrenees Mountains are known for their snowy winters which make them great locations for winter sports activities.

Leading French Cities

The romantic city of Paris, with its famous art galleries, museums, and cafes, is situated on the Seine River. Bordeaux, with its elegant chateaus, is home to southwestern France's major wine region. Marseille, France's oldest city, is located along the Riviera in southeastern France.

France Travel Information

French cuisine and the latest fashions draw many tourists to France, where visitors can visit numerous wineries and French cafes or shop along the Champs Elysee. The country's food processing industry is very well-known, especially for its soft Brie and Camembert cheeses. Tourists also visit the regions of Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and the Loire Valley, where many of the world's best wines are made. Many visitors also enjoy seeing the famous Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Louis XIV's Versailles Palace. France is blessed with beautiful Mediterranean beaches and majestic mountain resorts as well. Mont Blanc, a popular skiing and mountaineering destination, rises on the French-Italian border to 15,771 feet (4,807 meters), and is France's highest point.

French Tourism

French Government Tourist Office - Complete guide for traveling in France, discovering the French gastronomy and finding travel information and maps for tourism in France.

France Resources

CIA - The World Factbook - France - U.S. government almanac of France provides maps, geography and statistics.
France in the Yahoo! Directory - Discover the history, art, culture and travel resources for France and Paris.
Wikipedia - France - This free online encyclopedia includes information about French regions, history and geography.

France News

Iran’s Nuclear Plans Prompt New Calls for Sanctions
After Iran notified the U.N. nuclear agency of plans to enrich its uranium, officials from the U.S., France and Russia called for stronger measures against Tehran.
By Alan Cowell and Thom Shanker. International Herald Tribune. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:44:03 GMT.
Push for tougher sanctions against Iran
The US and France said on Monday they would push for new UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme.
Mail & Guardian. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:22:00 +0200.
France and Russia in warship deal
France is to sell Russia an advanced helicopter assault ship, and is considering a request for three others, officials say.
BBC News. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:53:34 GMT.
Calls for new Iran sanctions
PARIS - THE United States and France said on Monday it was time to impose new sanctions on Iran after Teheran announced it was planning a major expansion of its nuclear programme. ...
Straits Times. 8 Feb 2010 15:06 GMT.
IMF ready to help Greece
PARIS, France -- IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said on Thursday (February 4th) that the institution is ready to help Greece if ...
Southeast European Times. 2010-02-05.

Related European Map Sites

These maps of Europe provide geographical context, showing where France is located in Europe. Three populous neighboring countries, Germany, Italy, and the UK, are shown on the Germany map, Italy map, and UK map websites, respectively.