France
France is a country in north-western Europe. It is part of the European Union. Its currency is the Euro (€).
European
Union Flag
Flag of
the Republic of France
France's Location in Europe
France has sea borders with the Atlantic Ocean and
the English channel on its northern and western coasts, and the Mediterranean Sea along
its southern coast. It has land borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany,
Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra and Spain.
The Context of Normandy within France
France is divided up into régions and départements in terms of
its geography and government structures. The departements stem from the time of
Napolean Bonaparte. The regions approximate to the ancient provinces that
have come together to form the modern kingdom of France. The current
structuring of the regions began in the 1950s, but formalised in its
present state by the "Decentralisation Law" which was adopted
in 1982. It was not until then that the term Région was
officially used.
There are 100 French départements, grouped into 22 metropolitan and four overseas régions. Metropolitan France consists of Continental France, that is, the territory on mainland Europe, together with the Mediterranean island of Corsica (Corse). In addition to Metropolitan France, there are French Overseas Territorities, divided into two categories, Departéments d'Outre-Mer (D.O.M) and Territoires d'Outre-Mer (T.O.M).
On January 1st, 2006 the population of Metropolitan France was approximately 61,044,700, and that of the French Overseas Territories was approximately 2,543,000.
The total area of Metropolitan France is 547,030 sq.km., which is 211,154 sq. mi. The total area of the Republic of France, which includes all its overseas territories is 674,843 sq.km., which is 260,558 sq. mi.
France's Regions
The regions that make up France are:
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In addition to these regions that make up Continental France and Corsica, that is, Metropolitan France, there are two areas known as:
- Departéments d'Outre-Mer (D.O.M)
- Territoires d'Outre-Mer (T.O.M)
The area known as Departéments d'Outre-Mer consists principally of the following locations:
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- Guyane (French Guiana)
- Réunion
- Mayotte
- Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
The first four locations in the above list are also known as régions.
The area known as Territoires d'Outre-Mer consists principally of the following locations:
- Nouvelle-Calédonie / Kanaky
- Wallis and Futuna
- Polynése française (French Polynesia)
Normandy
Normandy is an area in north-west France that is about
the same size as the country of Belgium or the East of England region - Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire
and Cambridgeshire. Its population
is approximately 3.4 million (2005). While historically Normandy consisted of a single region, today it is formed from
two administrative régions - Haute-Normandie (i.e. Upper Normandy) and Basse-Normandie (i.e. Lower
Normandy).
Upper Normandy is made up of two départements - Seine Maritime and Eure. The regional capital is Rouën, which is in Seine Maritime. The town of Le Havre, also in Seine-Maritime, is actually the largest town in Normandy, having a population estimated to be about 189,000 (2004), making it the fourth largest town in France. Lower Normandy is made up of three départements - Calvados, Manche and Orne. The regional capital is Caën.
The regional flag of Normandy consists of two lions passant guardant (in heraldry
these are known as leopards rather than lions). It is said to date back to the time of William the Conqueror.
The English coat of arms is very similar, consisting of 3 lions rather than 2. It was introduced by Richard I in
the 1190s, seemingly as an adaption of the coat of arms of the Duchy of Normandy.
Further information on the regions that make up Normandy can be found by clicking on one of the images or links below:
