The map above shows where nobody in France lives, based on 1km2 squares. In total, 31.7% of metropolitan France is uninhabited.
Which is actually pretty remarkable considering the number for the United States is 47%, despite the fact that France is almost 4X more densely populated than the United States (123 people per km2 vs 34 people km2)
The map was created by @matamix, and is titled “Personne Ne Vit Ici”. He’s also created several other interesting maps about France on his website.
Want to learn a bit more about rural France? Have a look at the following books:
- My Good Life in France
- Rural Living in France
- Black Diamond: A Mystery of the French Countryside
- When the United States Spoke French: Five Refugees Who Shaped a Nation
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Robert says
Surely the map should be labelled ‘Personne n’habite ici’ (nobody dwells here), rather than ‘Personne ne vit ici’ (nobody is alive here)?
Crayfish says
“Vivre” is a synonym for “Habiter” in this context. It sounds right then 🙂
Antoon Meert says
Vit = vivre is an activity : Vivre comme Dieu en France. Meanwhile, habite = habiter is more a situation : J’ habite ā Anvers depuis 2010.
Matthew says
Seems like the French don’t like to live nears their borders. Can’t blame them really…