We explain everything about France and its physical and cultural characteristics. Also, what is its economy, religion and the history of this country like?
The capital of France is Paris, one of the most visited cities in the world.
France
France is a national state whose official name is the Republic of France. It is located in Western Europe and is a member of the European Union. It has a total area of 545,630 km2 and its capital is Paris, one of the most touristic cities in the world.
It is a semi-presidential republic and one of the main economies worldFrance stands out for its wine production, landscapes, culture and history, which make this country one of the most visited in the world.
Mainland France is bordered to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, Italy and Monaco; to the southwest with the Cantabrian Sea, Andorra and Spain; to the west with the Atlantic Ocean; to the north with the English Channel, the North Sea, Belgium and the United Kingdom (with which it is linked by an underground tunnel that crosses the English Channel) and to the east with Luxembourg, Switzerland and Germany.
France is divided into 13 administrative regionsThe most populated is Ile-de-France, where the capital, Paris, is located. The largest is New Aquitaine, with an area of 84,000 km2. In addition, France is the country with the largest number of overseas territories, which represent 17.9% of its territory and are home to more than 2 million people.
Why is it called that? It is believed that the name “France” comes from the German word ““franka” which means fierce. It is also believed that it could refer to the Franks, a Germanic tribe that inhabited their lands between the 3rd and 5th centuries.
Features of France
Tourism is one of the main economic activities in France.
Some characteristics of this country are:
- It has an area of 545,630 square kilometers.
- Its population is 68,045,000 inhabitants, which represents a population density of 124.7 inhabitants per square kilometer.
- Its capital is the city of Paris.
- It is one of the world’s leading economies.
- Its official language is French.
- Their main religion is Catholicism.
- The predominant climate is temperate oceanic.
- The plains are the most widespread form of relief in the country.
- Some of the greatest figures in Western literature, painting and philosophy were born in France.
- Its main economic activities are agriculture, industry and tourism.
- Its official currency is the euro, as in the rest of the countries of the European Union.
Extension, population and capital of France
More than 68 million people live in France, the majority of its population is distributed on the European continent and a minority lives in French overseas territories. The most populated cities in the country are Paris, Marseille and Lyon.
The population of France comes mostly from Celtic peoples, although from the 19th century onwards it began to receive a large number of immigrants, mainly from Africa..
Its territory is divided into 13 administrative regions:
- Pays de la Loire (Loire Valley). It is a region located in the east of the country, which is crossed by the Loire River and its capital is Nantes.
- Bretagne (Brittany). It is a region located in the southwest of the country and its capital is Rennes.
- NormandyIt is a region located in the north of the country and its capital is Rouen.
- Hauts de France (Upper France)It is a region located in the northeast of the country and its capital is Lille.
- Île de France (Isle of France)It is the most populated French region and is located in the north of the country. Its capital is Paris.
- Grand Est (Great East)It is a region located in the northeast of the country and its capital is Strasbourg.
- Bourgogne – Franche Comté (Burgundy Franche-Comté). It is a region located in the center-east of the country and its capital is Dijon.
- Centre – Val de Loire (Centre – Loire Valley)It is a region located in the center of the country and its capital is Orleans.
- Nouvelle- Aquitaine (New Aquitaine)It is the largest region in France and is located in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Bordeaux.
- Auvergne – Rhône – Alpes (Auvergne – Rhône – Alps)It is a region located in the southeast of the country and its capital is the city of Lyon.
- Occitania (Occitania). It is a region located in the south of the country and its capital is Toulouse.
- Provence – Alpes – Côte d’Azur. It is a region located in the southeast of the country and its capital is Marseille.
- Corse (Corsica). It is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea and its capital is Ajaccio.
Besides, French territory includes overseas departments that are located outside its continental territory but are under its sovereignty.. The most important are Guadeloupe and Martinique (located in the Caribbean Sea), French Guiana (located in South America) and Mayotte and Réunion (located in the Indian Ocean).
The capital of France is the city of ParisIt has a population of 2,100,000 inhabitants but its metropolitan area reaches 10,800,000, which represents 15.8% of the country’s total.
Climate, relief and hydrography of France
France has mountain ranges such as the Alps.
Most of France has a temperate climate. oceanic that is characterized by cold winters, cool summers and abundant rains. In the southern region of the country there is a temperate Mediterranean climate.which is characterized by higher temperatures and rainfall concentrated in the winter months. In this region, summers are hot and dry, which creates excellent conditions for enjoying the beaches on the Mediterranean Sea.
The predominant relief of France is the plainswhich extend across the central and northern parts of the country. In the south, mountainous terrain predominates, with chains such as the Pyrenees (located between Spain and France), the Alps (where Mont Blanc is located, which at 4,808 metres high is the highest peak in Western Europe) and the Vosges mountain range (in the north-east of the country).
Due to its flat relief and abundant rainfall, the rivers of France are extensive and mighty.. The most important are the Loire and the Seine, which runs through Paris.
The flora of France is very varied thanks to its different climates, reliefs and floors. In the plain area you can find plant species, such as beech and chestnut. In the subalpine zone you can see dwarf pines and junipers. In the northern part of the country there are forests of oak, poplar, willow and birch, and towards the south you can find mulberry trees, vines, olive trees and laurel herbs.
As for its fauna, it is also abundant and varied.: The largest mammals are deer and foxes, and in the Pyrenees and Alps you can find brown bears, alpine hares and chamois. In the forest area you can find wild boars, deer, ferrets and martens.
In the south of the country you can find reptiles such as vipers and turtles and several species of fish live in the marine areas, such as cod, sardines and dolphins.
French culture
France allows religious freedom and is a secular state. Approximately half of its population professes the Catholic religion. and the rest of the inhabitants profess other religions, such as Muslim and Jewish. Its official language is French, and it is spoken by the majority of the population.
The culture of France has influences from different places and cultures of the world such as Celtic and German.. In addition, during the last decades it has received a large immigration from the former French colonies in Africa, so the percentage of black population has increased considerably in recent years. African immigrants have also influenced the country’s culture, especially in gastronomy, music and sports.
Art in France
Some references to painting in the history of France are:
- Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842). She was a French portrait painter who was very influential at the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Her ability to capture the beauty and personality of her subjects led her to be one of the most sought after artists of her time. She is considered the most influential French painter of the 18th century.
- Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863). He was a French painter and one of the main representatives of Romanticism. Delacroix innovated in the use of color and his art was an influence on the later impressionist movement. Some of his most representative works are Freedom guiding the people, The death of Sardanapalus and Dante’s boat.
- Rosa Bonheur (1822-1899). She was a French realist painter known for her works with animal themes and rural scenes. The most famous painting of her, The Oxen Marketearned him international recognition.
- Edouard Manet (1832-1883). He was a French painter considered the father of French modern art and the precursor of Impressionism (although he was never part of the movement). Some of his works are Breakfast on the grass, Music at the Tuileries and Olympia.
- Edgar Degas (1834-1917). He was a French painter and sculptor and one of the leaders of impressionism. Many of his works were set in the field of ballet and some of his most notable paintings are The ballet class, The Bellelli family and The bathtub.
- Paul Cezanne (1839-1906). He was a French painter who became famous posthumously and is considered one of the fathers of modern art. He excelled in the depiction of landscapes, still life, and domestic scenes and everyday life. His most notable works are The card players, Still life with apples and The big bathers.
- Claude Monet (1840-1926)He was a French painter and exponent of the impressionist movement, a movement that was characterized by the use of pure colors, short brushstrokes and the use of light. Some of his most notable works are Print, Rising Sun, The pond of water lilies and Twilight in Venice.
- Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)He was a French impressionist painter who was characterized by his paintings of landscapes and nudes in which he conveyed happy and calm situations. His most notable works are The rowers’ lunch, Dance at the Moulin de la Galette and The Grenouillère.
- Berthe Morisot (1841-1895). She was a French impressionist painter and member of the circle of impressionist artists in Paris. Her works focus mainly on portraits, outdoor scenes and everyday subjects.
- Henri Rousseau (1844-1910). He was a French painter who was an exponent of naïve art (spontaneous or self-taught art). His work was characterized by the dreamlike nature and strong colors. His most notable paintings are The dream, hungry lion and Myself.
- Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)He was a French post-impressionist painter who stood out for his synthetism, characterized by the use of simple forms and flat colors. He spent much of his life in Tahiti (Polynesia) and in his art he portrayed the landscapes and inhabitants of that area of the Pacific. His most notable works are Christ…