The Surprising Geography of French Borders: From Europe to South America

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France’s borders tell a fascinating story of its colonial past and present-day geography. While most people think of France as a European country bordering Germany and Spain, its territory stretches far beyond Europe. In total, France shares boundaries with 11 different nations, covering an impressive 4,176 kilometers (2,595 miles) – almost the distance from Paris to New York!

France’s Longest Border Is Not in Europe

Here’s something that surprises most people: France’s longest international border isn’t with any of its European neighbors – it’s with Brazil! This 730-kilometer boundary exists because of French Guiana, an overseas region of France located in South America¹.

Let’s look at all of France’s international borders, from longest to shortest:

1. Brazil – 730 km (453.60 mi)
2. Belgium – 659 km (409.48 mi)
3. Spain – 623 km (387.11 mi)
4. Switzerland – 573 km (356.05 mi)
5. Suriname – 520 km (323.11 mi)
6. Italy – 515 km (320.01 mi)
7. Germany – 448 km (278.37 mi)
8. Luxembourg – 73 km (45.36 mi)
9. Andorra – 57 km (35.42 mi)
10. Netherlands – 13 km (8.08 mi)
11. Monaco – 4 km (2.49 mi)

Unique Border Stories

The Island That Changes Nationality Every Six Months

Among France’s most fascinating border arrangements is Pheasant Island (Île des Faisans in French, Isla de los Faisanes in Spanish). Sitting in the Bidasoa River between France and Spain, this tiny island of just 2,000 square meters switches nationality every six months. It’s one of the world’s few remaining condominiums – territories jointly administered by two countries.

A Peaceful Split in the Caribbean

Saint Martin Island in the Caribbean offers another unique story. Since 1648, France and the Netherlands have peacefully shared this tropical paradise. The French side (Saint-Martin) covers about 60% of the island, while the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) occupies the rest. Today, around 77,000 people call this small island home, split almost evenly between the two sides. Despite being governed by different nations, locals move freely across the border, marked only by welcome signs and modest monuments.

A Global French Presence

Beyond metropolitan France’s European borders, French territory extends across the globe. The French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique neighbor several island nations. French Guiana shares its rainforest borders with Brazil and Suriname. In the Indian Ocean, Réunion and Mayotte add to France’s global presence, neighboring Mauritius and the Comoros respectively.

This remarkable spread of French territory traces back to the nation’s history as a colonial power. During the 1920s and 1930s, France controlled the second-largest colonial empire in the world, covering an astounding 13.5 million square kilometers.

Have you ever visited any of these French borders? Maybe you’ve experienced the seamless border crossing on Saint Martin or spotted Pheasant Island from the banks of the Bidasoa? Share your experiences in the comments below!