France, with a surface of 551,500 km2, is the second largest country in Europe with the fifth largest population in Europe. France connects with four seas: the North Sea, the Channel, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. There are 22 metropolitan regions and 100 departments.
Geography:
France's terrain changes from beaches and rolling grasslands in the north to rugged and steep mountains in the Alps along its border with Switzerland and Italy. France has 1,500 miles of beaches lining 3 major bodies of water: the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. It has coastal water on the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. It has lush green forests, sparkling rivers, and mountains.
Weather:
Climate diversity from the Mediterranean to the South Sea Islander, the marine one to the continental one. In France four types of climate can be found:
1. In the west, near the coast, the tempered marine climate prevails, with smooth winters, fresh summers and many rains.
2. In the rear area the climate is of continental type, with hotter summers and more rigorous winters with few rains.
3. A mountain climate prevails in the high elevations, with a cold and prolonged winter. There are many villages in the high valleys that have more than 50 days of snow every year.
4. On the south coast the climate is of Mediterranean type, characterized by hot and dry summers, smooth and humid winters, and a small number of rainy days during the year.
