Is France a Southern European Country?

Few people realize that France is not entirely a Southern European country. While a significant portion of France does border the Mediterranean and exhibits distinct Southern European characteristics, France is predominantly categorized as a Western European nation due to its geographical, cultural, and historical features.

Geographical Context

When examining a map, one can easily see that France is divided into two primary regions: Northern France and Southern France. The boundary between these regions—close to the 45th parallel north—can be seen passing just north of Bordeaux and Valence. This geographical division is crucial in understanding the distinction between different parts of France.

Defining Southern Europe

Geographically, Southern Europe typically includes countries that are located below the 45th parallel north. This means that only the region of France that lies below this latitude can be considered as Southern European. Most of France, particularly the northern part, lies above the 45th parallel, placing it firmly in Western Europe.

Cultural and Historical Context

The cultural identity of France is inextricably tied to its northern heritage. Historically, the French kingdom originated in the North and has been dominated by northerners ever since. The most predominant example of this is the very name of the country, which comes from the Franks, a northern people.

Culturally, the elite and ruling class of France have long been based in Paris, a northern city. Language and accents frequently reinforce this division, with southern accents often perceived as being less educated or more comical. The northern conquerors of the Southern territories in the 1300s not only integrated the South into their domain but also repressed and ridiculed Southern dialects and cultures.

The Southern French Influence

That being said, Southern France does exhibit distinct Southern European characteristics. Nizza-Provence and the region known as Langue d'oc are best known for their Latin and Mediterranean influences. The Langue d'oc dialects are indeed closer to Catalan or Italian than to northern French. However, due to France's highly centralized system, which originated in Paris and extended to all aspects of governance and culture, the entire country cannot be considered a Southern European country.

Conclusion

In summary, while Southern France has many characteristics that align with Southern European cultures, France as a whole is more accurately defined as a Western European country. This is due to its geographical nuances, cultural traditions, historical development, and centralized authority.