North America:
* New France: This vast territory, stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Appalachian Mountains to the Rocky Mountains, was claimed by France in the 16th and 17th centuries.
* Major settlements: Quebec City, Montreal, and New Orleans were key centers of French life and trade.
Caribbean:
* French West Indies: The islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy, and Saint-Martin were French colonies for centuries.
* Haiti: Formerly Saint-Domingue, Haiti was a major sugar producer and the wealthiest French colony before its independence in 1804.
South America:
* French Guiana: A small coastal region in the northeast of South America, French Guiana remains a French overseas department.
* Other claims: France briefly controlled areas in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.
Africa:
* West Africa: France colonized a significant part of West Africa, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Niger, Benin, Togo, and Mali.
* Central Africa: French Equatorial Africa comprised Gabon, Chad, Congo, and the Central African Republic.
* North Africa: Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia were also part of the French colonial empire.
* Madagascar: This large island off the coast of Africa was a French colony from the late 19th century until its independence in 1960.
Asia:
* Indochina: French Indochina encompassed Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, forming a major colonial enterprise.
* Other claims: France briefly held control of some coastal areas in India and parts of the Malay Peninsula.
Oceania:
* New Caledonia: This island in the Pacific Ocean remains a French overseas territory.
* Other claims: France also claimed some smaller islands in the Pacific.
Europe:
* France: The mainland of France itself, of course, was the heart of the French Empire.
* Corsica: This island was annexed by France in the 18th century and remains an integral part of the country.
Important Points to Note:
* Colonial expansion: The French colonial empire expanded significantly from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
* Decolonization: After World War II, most French colonies gained independence, though some territories remain overseas departments or collectivities.
* Legacy: French colonization has left a lasting impact on the cultural, linguistic, and political landscapes of many countries.
To understand the specific details of French claims and settlements in each region, further research is recommended.