Lists of communes of France facts for kids
France is a fascinating country with a rich history and diverse landscapes! To help manage everything, France is divided into smaller areas. Imagine your school is divided into different classrooms, or your town into different neighborhoods. France does something similar, but on a much bigger scale! This article will help you understand how France is organized into "departments" and "communes," which are like local government areas. You'll find lists of these areas, showing how many different places make up this amazing country.
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Exploring France: Departments and Communes
France uses a special system to organize its territory, making it easier to manage local services and administration. These divisions help people in different parts of France have their own local governments.
What is a Commune?
A commune is the smallest administrative division in France. Think of it as a town, a village, or even a part of a big city. Each commune has its own mayor and local council. They make decisions about things like local schools, roads, and parks. There are thousands of communes across France, each with its unique character!
What is a Department?
A department is a larger area that groups several communes together. It's like a county or a larger region in some other countries. France has 101 departments in total. Each department has a local government called a "Departmental Council." They handle bigger projects, like managing larger roads, some social services, and colleges. Departments are identified by a two-digit number, which you often see on car license plates!
France's Main Regions: Metropolitan France
Metropolitan France refers to the part of France located in Europe, including the island of Corsica. This is where most of France's population lives. It's divided into many departments, each with its own unique history and geography. Below is a list of these departments and links to their communes.
France Beyond Europe: Overseas Territories
France also has territories located outside of Europe, known as Overseas France. These places are spread across different oceans, from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. They are an important part of France and have their own special ways of being governed.
Overseas Departments
Some overseas territories are called "Overseas Departments" (département d'outre-mer or DOM). These departments have almost the same legal status as departments in Metropolitan France. They are fully integrated into France.
Overseas department | List of communes | |
---|---|---|
971 | Guadeloupe | Communes of the Guadeloupe department |
972 | Martinique | Communes of the Martinique department |
973 | Guyane | Communes of French Guiana |
974 | Réunion | Communes of the Réunion department |
976 | Mayotte | Communes of Mayotte |
Overseas Collectivities
Other overseas territories are known as "Overseas Collectivities" (collectivité d'outre-mer or COM). These areas have more freedom to govern themselves compared to departments. They have their own specific laws and rules, which are adapted to their unique situations.
Overseas collectivity | List of communes | |
---|---|---|
975 | Saint Pierre and Miquelon | Miquelon-Langlade Saint-Pierre |
987 | French Polynesia (Polynésie française) | Administrative divisions of French Polynesia |
988 | New Caledonia (Nouvelle-Calédonie) | Administrative divisions of New Caledonia |
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Comunas de Francia para niños
- Administrative divisions of France
- List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants
- List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants (2006 census)