France Geopolitics – Geography

Geography is a major factor that has influenced France and still does in its politics, foreign policy, neighbors (friends or foes?), how natural resources affect its power, topography, and infrastructure.
For example historically France was one of the dominant nation – state in Europe, the highest peak of their history being the French Empire. This empire lead to an extension of France to the continental Europe, which became difficult to manage and that was the start point of the creation of modern departments which are still used today.

During the World War one and World war two, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, manpower, wealth and rank as a dominant state, even though in the end it was a victor country. Nevertheless, nowadays France is one of the most modern countries in the world and a leader among European nations. Besides the conflicts France had with Germany, the recent years have proved reconciliation and cooperation with Germany, both being a central factor to the economic integration of Europe, starting with the common exchange currency, the euro. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy. (geography.about)
Today France is geographically located in the West Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, Southeast of the UK, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain. Is Western Europe highest point – Mont Blanc (4,810 m), located in the Alps near the Italian and Swiss borders. (CIA)
France is the second largest country in Europe (212,935 square miles), with the fifth largest population in Europe. The terrain is mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west, two thirds is mountainous and has access to coast lines. It enjoys one of the most sophisticated infrastructures in the world, developed through the government's heavy investment in the field and made possible by advanced technology. According to the CIA it has 464 airports ranked 17 in the world, railways of a total of 29,640 km ranked 9, roadways with a total of 1,028,446 km (from which 11,416 km of expressways) ranked 7, 162 merchant marine, the major seaports being Brest, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes and river ports in Paris, Rouen ( Seine); Strasbourg (Rhine); Bordeaux (Garronne).