It is difficult enough to learn the geography of a foreign country, without foreign terms popping up everywhere. French geography is very particular, so here is a list of terms that might come in handy while exploring the different regions of France on this website.
Arrondissement – District; a division of a department.
Canton – A division of an arrondissement.
Capital – Capital city of a region or country.
COM – Collectivité d’Outre-Mer; a French “community” overseas.
Commune – A division of a canton; a city or town.
Département – A division of a region, similar to a county.
DOM – Département d’Outre-Mer; a French colonie overseas.
Municipal Arrondissement – A division of a large metropolitan city (only existant in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille).
POM – Pays d’Outre-Mer; a French “country” overseas.
Préfecture – Capital city of a department.
Région – Main divisions in France, similar to states but much smaller.
TOM – Térritoire d’Outre-Mer; a French territory overseas.
