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.