Cultural Information and Topics

French Around the World
               a. Le Monde Francophone (the French-Speaking World)
               b. La France et ses DOM-TOM (France and its Overseas Departments and Territories)


There are approximately 220 million people world-wide who speak French! French is the 3rd most common language used on the Internet and it ranks as the 9th most spoken language. Surprised? Take a look at where French is used throughout the world.


Note: Numbers and statistics from the International Organisation of la Francophonie.


a. Le Monde Francophone

Carte de la Francophonie

See also: Countries where French is Spoken

Official Francophonie Organization Site (Click on 'English' in the top left of the site to have it translated.)

L'organisation internationale de la francophonie (the international organization of francophonie/French-speakers) :

The International Organisation of La Francophonie represents one of the biggest linguistic zones in the world. Its members share more than just a common language. They also share the humanist values promoted by the French language. The French language and its humanist values represent the two cornerstones on which the International Organisation of La Francophonie is based.

The International Organisation of La Francophonie was created in 1970. Its mission is to embody the active solidarity between its 75 member states and governments (56 members and 19 observers), which together represent over one-third of the United Nations’ member states and account for a population of over 890 million people, including 220 million French speakers.

IOF organises political activities and actions of multilateral cooperation that benefit French-speaking populations. Its actions respect cultural and linguistic diversity and serve to promote the French language, peace and sustainable development.

(from http://www.francophonie.org/English.html)

b. La France et ses Régions (France and its regions)




Interactive Map (Carte Interactive)



27 régions composent la France, elles-mêmes découpés en 101 departements, 343 arrondissements, 4058 cantons et 36699 communes. 


France is made up of 27 regions which are divided into 101 departments, 343 districts, 4058 townships, and 36699 municipalities.


Departements/Régions d'Outre-Mer: (Overseas Departments and Regions)

Guadeloupe, Martinique (Carribean Islands)

Guyane (South America)

 La Réunion, Mayotte (near Madagascar)

Collectivités et territoires d'Outre-Mer  (Overseas territories)


Terres Australes et Antarctiques 
 Wallis et Futuna 
Polynésie Française 
Nouvelle-Calédonie 
Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon