Encyclopædia Britannica, First Edition/France

FRANCE, a large kingdom of Europe, situated between 5° W. and 7° E. long. and between 43° and 51° N. lat. being bounded by the English channel and the Austrian Netherlands, on the north; by Germany, Switzerland, Savoy, and Piedmont, in Italy, on the east; by the Mediterranean sea, and the Pyrenean mountains, which separate it from Spain, on the south; and, by the bay of Biscay, on the west. This kingdom, was formerly divided into twelve provinces; but at present it is divided into twenty-five general governments, over every one of which is an officer, called an intendant, appointed by the king, who has a power of controlling the governor, and all other officers of justice; and presides over the receivers-general of his generality.