Map found on Reddit
When someone mentions France’s borders, you probably picture Germany, Spain, or maybe Italy.
But here’s a fact that catches most people off guard: France’s longest border is actually with Brazil, stretching an impressive 730 kilometers through the Amazon rainforest.
How Is This Even Possible?
The answer lies in French Guiana, an overseas department of France located on the northeastern coast of South America.
Unlike former colonies that gained independence, French Guiana is an integral part of France itself. People there use euros, vote in French elections, and are just as French as anyone living in Paris or Lyon.
This isn’t some technicality or historical quirk that France forgot to update. French Guiana has been French territory since 1817, and it remains so today. The residents are French citizens with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it. The region even sends representatives to the French Parliament.
Comparing the Numbers
Looking at the map reveals something remarkable. That 730-kilometer border with Brazil absolutely dwarfs France’s European borders. Belgium comes in second at 659 kilometers, followed by Spain at 623 kilometers.
Germany, often thought of as France’s most significant neighbor, shares just 448 kilometers of border. Even the combined length of France’s borders with Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Monaco doesn’t add up to the Brazilian border.
Why French Guiana Matters
French Guiana isn’t just a geographical curiosity. The territory plays a crucial role in European space exploration as home to the Guiana Space Centre, where the European Space Agency launches its rockets. The location near the equator provides significant advantages for satellite launches.
The territory also contains vast expanses of Amazon rainforest, making France one of the countries responsible for protecting this critical ecosystem. About 98% of French Guiana is covered in tropical rainforest, representing one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
The Broader Picture
France maintains several overseas territories around the world, from Caribbean islands to Pacific atolls to Antarctic territories.
These possessions give France the second-largest exclusive economic zone in the world, spanning over 11 million square kilometers of ocean. That’s pretty impressive for a European nation.
This geography also means France shares borders with numerous countries beyond Europe. Besides Brazil, France borders Suriname in South America, and through its Caribbean territories, it neighbors several island nations.
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re at a pub quiz or scrolling through trivia, remember this counterintuitive fact. France’s longest border stretches through tropical rainforest, separating French territory from Brazilian land thousands of kilometers from the Eiffel Tower. Geography has a way of surprising us, reminding us that the world is more interconnected and complex than our mental maps suggest.
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