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| The Geography of France is as interesting as the country itself is. France is located in Western Europe, bordering the English Channel and Bay of Biscay in the west, between the UK and Spain; and bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium in the east. France lies roughly between the latitude 46º 00´N of the Equator and longitude 2º 00´E of the Greenwich. The unique Geography of France allows it to connect to all major European nations by the land or the sea. France is connected to the UK by the English Channel Tunnel, and by land to Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. |
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| The French coastline provides access by sea to Northern Europe, America and Africa via the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean.
France is the largest country in Western Europe and the second largest country in Europe, with the fifth largest population in Europe. The total geographical area of France is approximately 547, 030 sq km out of which over two-third being the mountains and hills, with the Alps, Pyrenees and Vosges ranges. The forest-covered Vosges Mountains lie in the northeast France, while the Pyrenees is sprawled along the Spanish border. Mont Blanc (15, 781 ft) - the highest mountain peak of Europe lies in the French Alps near the Italian and Swiss borders.
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Among major rivers in France include the west flowing Seine, the Loire, and the Garonne; and south flowing Rhone that drains into the Mediterranean. In addition, the Rhine that forms the border between France and Germany for a distance of 190 km is one of the most important navigable waterways in the world.
France is the land of strikingly varied landscapes and topography. The topography of France chiefly comprises of flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west, and remainder being the mountainous, including Pyrenees in south and Alps in east. The climate of France is largely influenced by its location and topography.
France lies mid-way between the equator and the North Pole, and the country enjoys a temperate climate. France generally has cool winters and mild summers, but the warm Gulf Stream current along the Mediterranean coast provides for mild winters and hot summers.
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