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…
Andrew says
It’s not the borders, Matthew, it’s the mountains that curb growth.