What African countries were colonized by France?

Hello, I'm an expert in historical geography and international relations. I'm here to provide you with an in-depth answer to your question about African countries colonized by France. France had a significant colonial presence in Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period often referred to as the "Scramble for Africa." The French colonial empire in Africa was vast and included several territories that are now independent nations. Here's a comprehensive list of some of the key territories colonized by France: 1. Algeria: Colonized in the 1830s, Algeria was considered an integral part of France until it gained independence in 1962. 2. Tunisia: Tunisia became a French protectorate in 1881 and remained so until it achieved independence in 1956. 3. Morocco: While Morocco was never fully colonized, it was a French protectorate from 1912 until 1956. 4. French West Africa: This was a federation of French colonial territories in Africa that included several modern-day countries: - Ivory Coast (1843-1960) - Dahomey (now Benin) (1883-1960) - French Sudan (now Mali) (1883-1960) - Guinea (1891-1958) - Mauritania (1902-1960) - Niger (1890-1960) - Senegal (1677-1960), which was the oldest French colony in Africa and served as the administrative center for French West Africa. 5. French Equatorial Africa: This federation included: - Gabon - Middle Congo (now Congo-Brazzaville) - Oubangui-Chari (now Central African Republic) - Chad 6. Madagascar: Colonized in the late 19th century, Madagascar was a French colony until it gained independence in 1960. 7. Djibouti: It was initially part of French Somaliland and is now an independent nation. 8. French Somaliland: This territory was a possession of France from 1862 until 1977 when it became the independent country of Djibouti. 9. Comoros: Initially a protectorate, Comoros became a colony in the late 19th century and gained independence in 1975. 10. French Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) (1896-1960) 11. Cameroon: While not exclusively French, Cameroon was under joint British and French mandates after World War I and gained full independence in 1960. 12. Libya: Although Libya was an Italian colony, it was under French administration for a period after World War II before becoming independent in 1951. 13. Somalia: The French had a small influence in the region, particularly in the Djibouti area, but did not have a significant colonial presence in Somalia itself. 14. Egypt: While not a French colony, Egypt was under French influence during the Napoleonic era and later under British control with some French involvement. 15. Liberia: Liberia was not a French colony but was established by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for freed American slaves. However, it was influenced by French culture due to its proximity to French colonies. It's important to note that the dates provided are approximate and serve as a general guideline to the period of French colonial rule. The impact of French colonization on these countries was profound, influencing their culture, language, and political systems. The legacy of French colonialism is still evident in many of these nations today, particularly through the widespread use of the French language.

French West AfricaIvory Coast (1843-C1960)Dahomey or French Dahomey (now Benin) (1883-C1960) ... French Sudan (now Mali) (1883-C1960) ... Guinea or French Guinea (1891-C1958)Mauritania (1902-C1960) ... Niger (1890-C1960) ... Senegal (1677-C1960)French Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) (1896-C1960)More items...