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Climate of France
The climate of France is generally cool during winters and mild during summers. Along the Mediterranean, the winters are mild and summers are hot, accompanied with occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral.
Physical Map of France
France is a country with contrasting landscapes, right from coastal lowlands and broad plains in the north to hilly uplands in south central France to lush valleys and towering, snow-capped Alps in the east, it has it all. Most of the borders of France are characterized by mountains and hilly areas except for the northeastern border, which is open as it lacks hills and mountains that otherwise form natural boundaries. France has several major rivers like the Seine, Loire, Garonne, and Rhône.
Location of France
France is bound by Belgium and Luxembourg along the northeast; Germany, Switzerland, and Italy along the east; and Spain and Andorra towards the southwest. In the northwest, France is bordered by the English Channel. At the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the channel, France and England are separated by just 34 km. France also faces three major seas: the Atlantic Ocean towards the west, the North Sea towards the north, and the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast.
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Flora And Fauna of France
Climatic conditions play a great role in determining the flora of France. Towards the slopping end of the
mountains, Alpine pastures are present which provide good grazing for sheep and cattle during the summer months. As the elevation further slopes down, forests composed of coniferous species such as pine, larch, fir, and spruce are found. Below the coniferous forest is the deciduous forests consisting of oak, beech, and chestnut. Expanses of an evergreen shrub, called maquis, prevail along much of the Mediterranean coast, where summers are generally long, hot, and dry. The most common trees found in the Mediterranean region are the olive, the cork oak, and the Aleppo pine.
The fauna of France includes varied species of deer and foxes. Red deer, roe deer, wild boar, are found in remote forest areas. The rare chamois, a type of goat, is found in the Alps and in the Pyrenees. Among the smaller animals found in the region are porcupines, skunks, marmots, and martens. Endangered species include beavers, otters, and badgers. A small number of brown bears and lynx are also found in the Pyrenees. Apart from this, France also has an abundance of bird life. Many species of migrating birds, including ducks, geese, and thrushes, spend their winters in France. The Mediterranean region is home to various exotic bird species, including flamingos, bee-eaters, egrets, herons, and black-winged stilts. Reptiles are rare, and the only venomous reptile in France is the adder.
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