France

Borders Spain and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium to the west, the English Channel to the north and the Bay of Biscay to the west... France controls French Guiana in northern South America, Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean and Reunion Island east of Madagascar... The largest western European nation... The country's origins date back to 486 when the Frankish tribes unified...France's reconciliation and cooperation with Germany were central to the economic integration of Europe and the introduction of the euro.