Geography of France - Research Paper Example

France Physical features France is bordered by the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean on the northern and southern sides. France is known for its picturesque landscape like rivers and mountains. France’s two-thirds of the landscape is covered by mountains the famous mountain ranges are the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Vosges among others. Mount Blanc located in the Alps is the highest point in France as it is 4,810 meters high (Steves & Smith, 2008). It has several rivers that are all over the country.

The most popular rivers are the River Rhone which flows to the southern of the country and the River Seine, which flows through the capital of Paris. The flat lands are in the western part of the country and a coastline in the northern western and southern parts. Climatic featuresFrance is mostly affected by oceanic influences and is situated in the southern part of the temperate zone (Steves & Smith, 2008). At the west of France maritime climatic conditions are witnessed. Rainfalls are always brought by westerly winds from the Atlantic.

Brest experiences a lot of cool summers and a lot of rain. There are hotter and more rigorous winters in the interior parts of France. Every July Paris witnesses temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius and January is as cool as 2 degrees Celsius. Attitudes in France influence the climate mostly when the winters are cold or sometimes prolonged. During the winter there is a lot of snow in the affected areas. Villages in the high valleys experience more than 50 days of snow every year.AgricultureAgriculture is one of the biggest contributors to France's economy as it contributes to 3 % of the GDP.

France farms export more agricultural food produce than the entire Europe Union nation. It is the only country that has enough food for its citizens (Thomson & Chandler, 2005). France is among the leading producers of wheat, sugar, wine, and beef. Sixty-one percent of the total productive agricultural area is under cultivation, pasture accounts for 35 % and 4 % contains the vineyard (Thomson & Chandler, 2005). Most productive farms in France are in the Northern part with the vegetable farms of Brittany and the great commercial vineyards of the Languedoc, Burgundy among others.

IndustryFrance is the fourth leading industrial power and accounts for 26 % of the GDP and approximately 25 % of the labor force (Audiganne, 2010). The manufacturing sector accounts for 16 % of construction accounting for approximately 4 % and energy for 3 % of GDP in 2001. The manufacturing sector contributes three-quarters of total exports of goods and services. The government-controlled industries such as aeronautics, defense, automobiles, and telecommunications. The steel industry has been affected by the use of aluminum and plastics around the world.

The chemical industry is competent enough to counter its rivals in Germany and the United States of America. The pharmaceutical industry, perfume, and cosmetics industry has employed a lot of citizens. The textile industry has helped in employing a large population of youth. The food processing industry is a vital factor in the French economy since it produces a considerable trade surplus.