land

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited
annually by the US Coast Guard

Transnational Issues Baker Island

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 1 January 2002

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France

Introduction

France

Background: Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France
suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as
a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most
modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations.
Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the
instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent
years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central
to the economic integration of Europe, including the advent of the euro
in January 1999. Presently, France is at the forefront of European states
seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation
of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus.

Geography France

Location: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English
Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain

Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 2 00 E

Map references: Europe

Area: total: 547,030 sq km land: 545,630 sq km note: includes only
metropolitan France; excludes the overseas administrative divisions water:
1,400 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Colorado

Land boundaries: total: 2,889 km border countries: Andorra 56.6 km,
Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco
4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km

Coastline: 3,427 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive
economic zone: 200 NM (does not apply to the Mediterranean)

Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters
and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry,
north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral

Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west;
remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m highest point:
Mont Blanc 4,