Natural conditions and resources of France

France is one of the largest countries of Western Europe, bordering Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Andorra. In the north the border with Great Britain passes through the known straits of the Atlantic Ocean. In the south is located a very small in size the principality of Monaco. Let us now consider the natural conditions of the country. The main territory is hilly, with lowlands and hills and mountains of medium height. The highest mountain of France and the whole of Western Europe is Mont Blanc, whose height is more than 4800 meters above sea level.

The natural conditions and climate of France are largely due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean on the northern regions and the warm Mediterranean Sea on the southern part. In the north of the country, a predominantly humid and mild maritime climate with slight variations in air temperature in the winter and summer.

In the south of France, the average annual air temperature is higher than in the north, but there is less precipitation, which is typical for the Mediterranean climatic zone.

The natural conditions of the country are so different that the southern coastal areas, the Rhone Valley and the island of Corsica are in a subtropical climate with a very mild winter and a fairly hot summer. In the north-west of France is Normandy with its soft hilly green landscapes in the summer and Brittany with its beautiful coastline. To the north-east of the country adjoin the plain Alsace and Lorraine, in the south of which there are the Jura mountains of medium height, followed by the Alps - a favorite area of mountaineers and alpine skiers that stretches to the Cote d'Azur. As you can see, the country's natural conditions are very diverse.

In the central part is the Loire Valley, to the south lies the Central Massif, a remarkable feature of which are the huge craters of extinct volcanoes, in contrast to the gentle hills, plateaus and river valleys. In the south of France lies the Pyrenees mountain range, the highest point is the D'Estaix peak, whose height is 3145 meters above sea level.

These are the natural conditions of France.

The country owns many islands, located in three oceans. The main and most famous island is Corsica. It is the largest island in France, famous for its remarkable natural landscape. It is territorially divided into several regions and each has a lot of attractive and interesting for tourists.

In the north of Corsica is the famous city of Bastia - one of the most ancient and most beautiful cities of the island, and, perhaps, the whole of France. The part located in the north-west is known for its coastline of extraordinary beauty and the city of Calvi, where Christopher Columbus was born.

As for natural resources, there are a lot of iron and uranium ore, bauxite, potassium and rock salts, coal, zinc, copper, lead, nickel, oil, timber. The extraction of iron ore is about forty million tons annually, bauxite - about two million tons, oil - about four million tons.

Climatic conditions are such that wheat, citrus, grapes, apples, sugar beet, sunflower, corn, potatoes, and much more are grown in the country effectively.

Arable land occupies about a third of the country's territory, forests and shrubs - about twenty-seven percent, pastures and meadows-twenty-three percent, unused and built-up lands-about seventeen.

The main flora species are oak, hornbeam, linden, chestnut, beech, pine, birch and others; Representatives of the animal world - bears, wolves, foxes, wild boars, deer, badgers, roe deer, hares, snakes, mountain goats, squirrels; Birds - eagles, partridges, swallows, hazel grouses.

Such are the natural conditions and resources France .