Administrative divisions
13 · First-level (ADM1)Boundaries shown do not imply endorsement.
Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesBourgogne-Franche-ComtéBretagneCentre-Val de LoireCorseGrand EstHauts-de-FranceNormandieNouvelle-AquitaineOccitaniePays de la LoireProvence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurÎle-de-France
Source: geoBoundaries CGAZ (ADM1)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total area | 606,400 km²World Bank WDI [2023] |
| Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) | 9,530,000 km²Marine Regions [2024] |
| Administrative divisions (ADM1) | 13 divisionsgeoBoundaries [2026] |
| Location | metropolitan France: 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 SpainFrench Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and SurinameGuadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto RicoMartinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and TobagoMayotte: Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about halfway between northern Madagascar and northern MozambiqueReunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of MadagascarCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Coastline | 4,853 km; note: metropolitan France: 3,427 kmCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Land boundaries | 3,956 kmCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Bordering countries | Andorra 55 km; Belgium 556 km; Germany 418 km; Italy 476 km; Luxembourg 69 km; Monaco 6 km; Spain 646 km; Switzerland 525 kmCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Terrain | metropolitan France: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in eastFrench Guiana: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountainsGuadeloupe: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in originMartinique: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcanoMayotte: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaksReunion: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coastCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Climate | metropolitan France: 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 the mistral; note: French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Natural resources | metropolitan France: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, arable land, fish; French Guiana: gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clayCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Highest point | Mont Blanc 4,810CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Lowest point | Rhone River delta -2 mCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Mean elevation | 375 mCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Area (comparative) | slightly more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than the size of TexasCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Natural hazards | metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in southoverseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); floodingvolcanism: Montagne Pelée (1,394 m) on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean is the most active volcano of the Lesser Antilles arc, although it last erupted in 1932; a catastrophic eruption in 1902 destroyed the city of St. Pierre, killing an estimated 30,000 people; La Soufrière (1,467 m) on the island of Guadeloupe has also had explosive eruptions in recent yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm; contiguous zone: 24 nm; exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean Sea); continental shelf: 200m depth or to the depth of exploitationCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
