Extract
[...] What are the lines of force of France and its regions in the integration into the European Union and globalization? Globalization represents today a complex and very important geographical phenomenon in the study of the links uniting territories and individuals. Based on a process that allows for increasing interconnections between countries around the world, this phenomenon interacts at a global scale and presents many examples of territories in search of openness. On a cultural, political, or economic level, various organizations such as the European Union put forward various devices in the hands of its member countries, in order to account for an intense circulation site. [...]
[...] Indeed, each of the regions that make up the French territory has its own geographical particularities, which directly contributes to a cultural diversity that reinforces the economic attractiveness of the country. In this sense, France has many very dynamic regions, particularly productive and wealth-creating: this is the case of cross-border regions. Located near European megacities, these strengthen the openness of the territory and implement a cohesion policy. But not all regions benefit from this openness. 2 - The challenge of territorial balance Indeed, while certain regions such as the Île-de-France represent strong points in the phenomenon of globalization, certain territories do not benefit from such growth. [...]
[...] By connecting the different regions of France, these lines thus contribute to economic integration and favor international exchanges. 3 - Interconnection arrangements Finally, one of the other major lines of force linked to the structuring of the country comes from its development policy. Still in this logic of favoring its opening to the world and to exchanges, France invests heavily in the development of its transport infrastructures. Indeed, a whole network has developed, comprising highways, railways, or even airports in order to facilitate travel to other countries. [...]
[...] This disparity between regions thus represents a major challenge to be taken into account in the exploitation of the territory of France in order to favor an opening up to the world. In short, we have seen that France imposes itself as a influential voice in globalization through the key role of its country and its regions within the framework of the European Union. With its various assets related to the structure of its territory and the governance of its country, France then has many qualities and lines of strength allowing for a more than justified integration into these organizations, based on a balance, centrality and diversity in perpetual evolution. [...]
[...] In fact, France is a country that occupies a central position in Europe. A true geographical crossroads, it finds itself at the center of both political, economic, or cultural stakes present within globalization. France shares many borders with several countries such as Germany, Belgium, Spain, or Italy, and thus imposes itself as a central place within Europe, particularly through its strong place, which is Paris, its capital. We easily understand in what way this position is particularly important in the context of globalization: centrality indeed facilitates exchanges, whether commercial or human. [...]
