Four overseas collectivities ( collectivités d'outre-mer, or COM): Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, and Wallis and Futuna. Here are the 100 largest cities of France (population 2006). We do not count here the concept of urban area but the municipal population. The Revolution led to the establishment of the First French Republic and eventually saw the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. The French Alps: Located in the southeastern part of the country, the French Alps are a segment of the larger Alpine mountain range that stretches across Central Europe. They are characterized by high mountain peaks, with Mont Blanc being the tallest peak in Western Europe at 4,807 m (15,770 ft) (marked on the map above).. Glaciation has been significant in shaping the landscape, resulting in U-shaped valleys, moraines, and large lakes, such as Lake Geneva. The region also comprises important river systems, notably the Rhône.

France has several levels of internal divisions. The first-level administrative division of Integral France is regions. Besides this the French Republic has sovereignty over several other territories, with various administrative levels. Rhone Valley: This valley stretches along the Rhône River from its source in the Alps to its delta at the Mediterranean Sea. The northern part of the valley, surrounded by mountains and plateaus, is narrow, while the southern part expands into a broad floodplain. The region's geological foundation includes a mix of alluvial deposits, making some sections highly fertile and suitable for agriculture. As one moves south, the Mediterranean influence on the climate becomes increasingly apparent. Clovis I was the first Germanic conqueror after the fall of the Roman Empire to convert to Catholic Christianity, rather than Arianism; thus France was given the title "Eldest daughter of the Church" ( French: La fille aînée de l'Église) by the papacy, [42] and French kings would be called "the Most Christian Kings of France" ( Rex Christianissimus). Exclusive economic zone: 334,604km 2 (129,191.3sqmi) only in Europe. 11,691,000km 2 (4,513,920.3sqmi) including all overseas territories. The 200nmi (370.4km; 230.2mi) does not apply to the Mediterranean Sea After World War II, France played a pivotal role in the establishment of the European Union and became a founding member.Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is one of the richest French regions, located in the southeast of France. It has 13 departments: Ain, Allier, Ardèche, Cantal, Drôme, Isère, Loire, Haute-Loire, Lyon, Puy-de-Dôme, Rhône, Savoye, and Haute-Savoye. The administrative capital is Lyon, France’s third largest city. Two regions, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, opted to retain their interim names. [9] [10] A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were 1,433km 2 of tidal flats in France, making it the 23rd ranked country in terms of tidal flat area. [2] Coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish, gold

Today, the term "province" is used to name the resulting regional areas, which retain a cultural and linguistic identity. At the end of the Antiquity period, ancient Gaul was divided into several Germanic kingdoms and a remaining Gallo-Roman territory, known as the Kingdom of Syagrius. Simultaneously, Celtic Britons, fleeing the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, settled in the western part of Armorica. As a result, the Armorican peninsula was renamed Brittany, Celtic culture was revived, and independent petty kingdoms arose in the region.At the end of the Ancien Régime, not counting overseas territories such as the French islands of America, Pondicherry, Mauritius or New France (a province from 1663 to 1763, when it was ceded to Great Britain and Spain), there were thirty-six regions with a governor in charge of defense, called governments. Each had its own nobility. The urban area is a concept developed by INSEE to understand and describe the organization of the geographical area of France. During the revolution these provinces were abolished and the French territory was divided into 83 departments. France, then called Gaul, became an integral part of the Roman Empire, experiencing Roman influence and development during this period. Martinique: Also located in the Caribbean, Martinique is an island of volcanic origin. It has a rugged mountainous landscape with Mount Pelée as its highest peak. The island has experienced volcanic eruptions in its history, notably the devastating eruption of 1902 which destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre. Coastal areas feature a mix of cliffs, coves, and beaches, while the interior has dense forests. The tropical climate is moderated by trade winds, though the island is vulnerable to hurricane impacts.

Source gives area of metropolitan France as 551,500 km 2 (212,900 sq mi) and lists overseas regions separately, whose areas sum to 89,179 km 2 (34,432 sq mi). Adding these give the total shown here for the entire French Republic. The World Factbook reports the total as 643,801 km 2 (248,573 sq mi). Formerly a coalition of free cities in Holy Roman Empire, attached to Kingdom of France in 1648; annexed by Germany from Franco-Prussian war to the end of World War I and briefly during World War II Westernmost point — Pointe de Corsen, Plouarzel, Finistère at 48°24′N 4°47′W / 48.400°N 4.783°W / 48.400; -4.783 According to figures, the population median of a department of France was 511,012 inhabitants in 1999. The French Riviera (Côte d'Azur): Located along the southeastern coast of France, the French Riviera, or Côte d'Azur, is a part of the Mediterranean coastline. It is characterized by its mild climate, influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, and its steep, hilly terrain, which rises abruptly from the coastline. The region's geography has played a role in making it a significant maritime area. The presence of the Maritime Alps to the north provides a protective barrier, creating a microclimate conducive to vegetation, such as the iconic maritime pines.Alsace Plain: In northeastern France, the Alsace Plain lies between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine River to the east. The region is characterized by its flat landscape, with a series of alluvial terraces and floodplains. Its geological history is linked closely to the Rhine Rift, a rift valley formed by tectonic activity. The region benefits from a semi-continental climate and is recognized for its agricultural activities, particularly in viticulture. Religious conflicts, notably the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants, ravaged France in the 16th century until the issuance of the Edict of Nantes in 1598, granting limited religious tolerance.