3. It is located in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. France is a country in Europe. It is situated completely in the Northern Hemisphere Longitude: 46.0000º N Latitude: 2.0000º E

4. The Atlantic Ocean serves as a natural border for France.

5. France is bordered in the south by Spain, Andorra, and Monaco. Germany, Switzerland, and Italy are France’s neighbors to the east. Belgium and Luxembourg share a border with France in the north. The United Kingdom is located right across the English Channel.

6. Going East to West, Canada and the United States are the only countries that lie between France & Washington. Portions of both France and Washington lie on the 46 th parallel. There are many more countries between France & Washington when going West to East! Switzerland Italy Slovenia Croatia Hungary Serbia Romania Moldova Kazakhstan Russia China France is 9 hours ahead of Washington!

7. A metropolitan are that works together as a coherent economic and employment unit. Paris has not expanded its limits since 1860. This has caused a stark contrast between the administrative city of Paris and the geographic, economic, and human reality of the city. 2010 figures show the population of the Paris urban area far exceeding the populations of the next largest French cities:

8. Longitude: 48.8742º N Latitude: 2.3470 º E

9. France is often referred to as ‘l’Hexagone’ of which its borders are formed by natural features. Intercontinental sea situated between Europe, Africa, and Asia. It opens to the Atlantic Ocean at the Straight of Gibraltar. A mountain chain of South-West Europe, the Pyrénées separates the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe and forms a natural border between Spain and France. One of the five oceans of the world, the Atlantic Ocean remains an important means of communication for the countries that border it (including France) and plays a considerable geopolitical role in the world today.

10. France is often referred to as ‘l’Hexagone’ of which its borders are formed by natural features. An epicontinental sea separating France and the United Kingdom. A river of Central and Western Europe, the Rhine River crosses through large parts of Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. It forms the Eastern border of France. As it is the longest river flowing into the North Sea, it is one of the world’s busiest waterways. A mountain chain extending into Europe that covers the northern border of Italy, the southern border of Germany and Slovenia, and the southeast border of France, Monaco, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria.

11. The Rhine originates in the Swiss Alps and eventually flows into the North Sea. It has been a vital waterway for carrying goods deep into the European interior since Roman times. The Seine is the second longest river in France. It flows northwest through Paris and empties into the English Channel at Le Havre. The longest river in France, the Loire flows into the Bay of Biscay at St. Nazaire. Its banks are characterized by the vineyards and chateaux in the Loire Valley.

12. In terms of depth and volume, the Rhone is the biggest river in France. It flows from the Swiss Alps through the Massif Central. Navigation is more difficult on the Rhone due to its swift current. The Garonne originates in the Pyrénées and flows northwestward to Bordeaux. It joins the Dordogne and together they form the Gironde. Like the Loire, the Gironde exits France in the Bay of Biscay.

13. A range of mountains in eastern France. They formed the main border line between the German Empire and France between 1871 and 1918. Located north of the Alps, the Jura Mountains run along the Swiss border in eastern France. The range lies between the Rhine and Rhone Rivers. Extending from Italy and Switzerland into southeastern France, the Alps are home to France’s highest peak: Mont Blanc (15,782 ft.).

14. A mountainous plateau of south-central France; it encompasses nearly one-sixth of the country. Fronting the southern border with Spain and Andorra, the Pyrénées extends from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea.