The French language is actually an official language in over 30 different countries around the world! I think it is fascinating how they all can speak the same language but each have a unique twist to it.
Here are a couple countries with French as one of their official languages
Europe
France
This is of course the first thing you would think of when you think of the French language. France is famous for its baguettes, mimes, and fancy moustaches. Just kidding. France is known worldwide for it's wonderful culture and extravagant things to offer. The beautiful city of Paris is a star on the map for many reasons; the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and amazing architecture. Visit France, not only for the big tourist attractions but for the wonderful language and cultural gems.
Belgium
Belgium is a small country in Northern Europe. The wonderful country brings us chocolate, waffles, and of course, french fries. Yes, it's true, french fries were invented in Belgium not France. There is no Belgian language, instead, Dutch, French, and German.
Switzerland
Switzerland is a wonderful little country with some of the most amazing views and scenery. The country is known for its scenic trail rides through the natural wonders of the land. And Swiss chocolate is hard to beat!
Luxembourg
Though one of the smallest, Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in the world. There are three official languages, Luxembourgish, French, and German.
Africa
Madagascar
When you first hear Madagascar, you might think of the children's movie with the zoo animals, but it one of the most unique countries in the world. Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. The climate is lush and green with beautiful beaches. Madagascar is famous for its diverse wildlife and exotic vegetation.
At the moment a lot of countries in Africa are struggling with poverty and international instability. People are surviving everyday without our normal essentials. Most people in poorer countries have no running water, food, or shelters. A growth in population leaves many people malnourished. War and up rises throughout the continent have forced people to flee. Climate conditions have made agriculture extremely difficult, and limited working opportunities. People are able to send support funds through different organizations to help children and families cope during this pressing time. Just remember, next time you go to through food out because you are too full, or buy excessive amounts of groceries, try to think of other situations around the world. I'm not saying your troubles are not valid or you don't deserve to love what you've earned, I just think we all need to take a step back sometimes and reflect on what we need versus what we want.
Americas and Caribbean
Canada
Canada, my home country. I live in British Columbia, the farthest western province. It really is a beautiful country, and I have barely discovered any of it. Okay, the notion that all Canadians speak French is completely false. We are a terrible bilingual country. You see, where French is mainly spoken is on the other side of the country from where I live. That is about a 50 hour drive. That's a long ways. that would be like driving from Helsinki, Finland to Lisbon, Portugal. The only difference there is that you would be going through about eight different countries. Quebec is famous for the Carnaval de Québec.
French Guiana
French Guiana is nestled between Suriname and Brazil in South America. The land is mostly made up of tropical rain forests but you can also find hilly grasslands. French is the official language, however there are beacoup de (many) other languages spoken around the country. The Creole language is very popular. The country has a very diverse culture with Indian, French, and Latin American influence.
Guadeloupe
This amazing country is actually part of France, making it one of the outermost regions of the E.U. Guadeloupe is a beautiful country with breath-taking natural wonders. It is home to around 19 active volcanoes. The landscape is lush and green with exotic vegetation. The island is surrounded by thriving coral reefs with unique marine animals.
Oceania
French Polynesia
East of New Zealand and South of Hawaii, you will find the amazing French Polynesia. You have definitely seen pictures of this astonishing place. The 'straw' shacks branching off from a deck in the middle of the ocean. Yep, that's French Polynesia. Around 118 different islands make us the country, some not even inhabited. Most of the islands have diverse terrain from lush vegetation to volcanic lands.
New Caledonia
Off the coast of Australia in the Pacific Ocean is this enchanting island. The country is famous for it's incredible coral reefs surrounding the coastline. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site in 2008. It is one of the largest coral reef lagoons in the world. Find Breath-taking beaches with crystal clear water. Explore water caves and enjoy the tropical atmosphere of the island. Go diving or whale watching to take in even more of the natural beauty around you. New Caledonia is a wonderful tropical destination.
Comments