Administrative divisions of France

The French Republic is divided into the following levels:

  • 27 regions ( région )
  • 101 departments ( département) 343 arrondissement (arrondissement )
  • 4055 cantons (canton )

Regions

The first outline level form the 27 regions. 21 of them are part of the French mainland. Corsica is often treated as a region, but is strictly a territorial collectivity. The five remaining regions are located in overseas territories. Each region is managed by a regional council ( conseil régional ), which is headed by a Regional President ( président du conseil régional ).

Each region also has a appointed by the central government, regional prefect ( préfet de région ). It coordinates the activities of the central government in the region. The function of the regional prefect is exercised in each case in a personal union of the prefect of the department in which is the capital of the region.

In the statistical area classification by Eurostat, the French regions of NUTS level 2, you can also use ISO 3166-2: FR be clearly identified.

Départements, cantons and arrondissements

The 101 departments ( département) represent the second outline level dar. 96 of them are in Europe, the remaining five are overseas départements and regions ( DOM -ROM).

The chief administrative officer of a department of the government-appointed prefect ( préfet ), head of the prefecture ( préfecture ). The highest elected body of a department is the General Council ( conseil général). It is headed by a president ( président du conseil général).

The departments are divided for administrative purposes into 343 arrondissements and cantons in 4055 (canton ). The arrondissements are the decentralization of the department of administration. In the main towns of arrondissements which are not at the same time the capital of the department, has a sub-prefecture ( sous- préfecture ) are domiciled, which is headed by a sub-prefects ( sous- préfet ). The cantons are primarily used as electoral districts for the election of members of the General Council ( the so-called cantonal elections ). Self-government units, such as regions, departments and communes are not Arrondissements and cantons.

In the statistical area classification by Eurostat, the department at NUTS 3 level match, you can also use ISO 3166-2: FR be clearly identified.

Communities

The lowest level consists of the 36,700 communities. Each municipality is governed by a municipal council ( conseil municipal). He is elected for six years, a mayor is standing before him.

In the statistical area classification by Eurostat, the French communes correspond (as well as the German communities ) of the LAU level 2 Municipalities are uniquely identified by INSEE codes.

The communities Paris, Lyon and Marseille are divided into arrondissements, which have the function of municipalities and are not to be confused with the arrondissements of the Département.

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