Fast Facts
Total Area: 643,801 sq km
Land Area: 545,630 sq km
Water Area: 1,400 sq km
Size Comparative to US Territory: Slightly less than the size of Texas
Bordering Countries/Bodies of Water: Belgium, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Bay of Biscay, English Channel, Celtic Sea,
Total Distance of All Land Boundaries: 2,751 km
Total distance of Coastline: 4,853 km
Climate: Varies greatly
- Generally cold in winter and mild in summer, but mild winters and hot summers are usual along the Mediterranean sea and in the South West of France. Along the Rhône Valley a occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind blows known as the mistral.
Terrain: Varies greatly
- Much of France's terrain is flat with hills in the north and west. Mountainous regions include the Pyrenees in the south and the Alps in the east. The Loire is France's longest river.
Point of Lowest Elevation: Rhone River delta -2 m
Point of Highest Elevation: Mont Blanc - 4,807 m