Which country is known as "The Hexagon"?

Almost everyone knows what "the Pentagon" is. But did you know that, in the French media, the term l'Hexagone ("the Hexagon") is often used as a casual synonym for the mainland part of Metropolitan France? It is because of the country's approximate shape. The sides of the hexagon are: 1. the Channel coast, 2. the Atlantic coast, 3. the Pyrenees (border with Spain), 4. the Mediterranean coast, 5. the eastern border (Alps, Jura and Upper Rhine; Monaco to Karlsruhe), and 6. the northeastern border (German Rhineland and Belgium; Karlsruhe to Dunkirk).

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

18 Comments

Pat Salloum

I have never heard of France being called the Hexagon.

Fred Keogh

Been to France on numerous occasions over the years but have never heard it called 'Hexagon', even when studying French at school.

Micheline Ratcliffe

I grew up in France and believe me we refer to it the Hexagon. If you listen to the news in French you will hear it all the time ...specially during the weather forecast. ... but I can accept that foreigners are a little baffled by this ... that does NOT mean the expression is not used by the French !

lady draggon

Pat Salloum, Me neither

elizawheeler

I never heard this before. I wonder who calls it that. Surely not the citizens.

Phil Kennelty

I looked on a map. Romania is much more of a hexagon in shape.

Helga U. Williams

Was educated in Germany. Never heard of our neighbor France being called the hexagon! 🙄

Tal Segal

Very good question and answer! You learn something new everyday

james parrillo

Pat Salloum, A QuizzClub question from October 2023? for me mentioned that France had six sides, although the explanation did not call it the Hexagon. That was my clue in November 2023. Thank you, Christine, James' wife