France Still Has An Empire

Summary

This video delves into France's overseas territories, which make up nearly 20% of its land and 97% of its ocean territory. It highlights France's longest border, surprisingly with Brazil, and its scattered colonies across the globe. The video explores regions like the Caribbean, Antarctica, and French Polynesia, revealing how France's colonial past still influences its military, scientific, and economic interests today. Despite decolonization efforts, many territories remain under French control, showing the complexity of maintaining such far-flung holdings in a modern globalized world.

Takeaways

• 🌍 France borders more than eight countries, with its longest border being with Brazil due to its overseas territories.
• 🇫🇷 France has both mainland (Metropolitan France) and Overseas France, with the latter accounting for 20% of France's land and 97% of its ocean territory.
• 🌊 Overseas France includes islands, atolls, and territories scattered around the world, giving France significant ocean territories and strategic locations.
• 🦀 Many of these overseas territories provide France with access to resources, such as lobster fishing and scientific research opportunities.
• 🗺 French Guiana in South America is part of France, uses the euro, and forms France's longest land border with Brazil.
• 🐧 Remote islands near Antarctica, such as those inhabited by king penguins, are also part of France’s overseas territories, providing a unique ecological and scientific landscape.
• 💣 French Polynesia and other remote territories have been used for nuclear testing, resulting in environmental damage and international controversy.
• ⚖️ New Caledonia, another French overseas territory, recently voted to remain part of France despite ongoing calls for independence.
• 🛡 France maintains military presence on its overseas territories, securing its geopolitical and strategic interests, especially in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• 💎 These overseas territories allow France to maintain vast ocean economic zones, controlling resources and keeping a presence in important global regions.

Q & A

What is France Metropole?

France Metropole, also known as L'Hexagone, refers to the mainland of France located in Europe. It is the version of France that most people think of, and it is distinct from France's overseas territories.

What is France d'outre-mer?

France d'outre-mer, or Overseas France, includes the French territories that are located outside of mainland Europe. It accounts for almost 20% of France's total land and 97% of its ocean territory, and nearly 3 million French citizens live in these areas.

Why is French Guiana significant?

French Guiana is a French territory in South America. It is part of the European Union and the eurozone, and it shares France's longest border with Brazil. It was also historically used as a prison colony.

What makes the France-Netherlands border unique?

The only place where France and the Netherlands share a border is on the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean. The island is split between the two countries, and its inhabitants are French citizens.

Why does France retain so many overseas territories?

France holds on to its overseas territories for several reasons, including military presence, resource extraction, scientific research, and geopolitical influence. These territories provide strategic advantages, such as control over large ocean areas and access to valuable natural resources.

What are some of the remote French territories in the Indian Ocean?

France owns a group of islands near Antarctica in the Indian Ocean. These islands are home to military and scientific personnel, but the islands themselves are mostly inhabited by penguins and other wildlife. The islands provide France with a significant military presence in the region.

What is significant about French Polynesia?

French Polynesia consists of 118 islands in the Pacific Ocean and covers a vast water territory of 5 million square kilometers. The islands are known for their beauty and tourism, but they were also the site of French nuclear weapons testing from the 1960s to the 1990s.

What was the outcome of the New Caledonia independence referendum?

In a 2020 referendum, 53% of voters in New Caledonia chose to remain a part of France, while 47% supported independence. New Caledonia has valuable nickel resources, which France is keen to retain access to.

What challenges do the residents of France’s overseas territories face?

The people in France's overseas territories deal with the legacy of colonialism, including a complex relationship with France. While some want independence, others recognize the economic and political benefits of staying connected to France.

How does France benefit economically from its overseas territories?

France gains significant economic advantages from its overseas territories, including access to natural resources like fish, lobsters, nickel, and control over large ocean territories for military and economic purposes.