Whatever you may think of French people, France is the natural hegemon of Western Europe. At least from a geostrategic point of view. It is the only Western European country with a 100M+ carrying capacity thanks to favorable climate, abundant farmland and freshwater resources. It has dual maritime access to the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, granting it excellent naval projection and abundant aquatic protein via fishing. It has navigable rivers like the Loire, Seine, Rhône, Garonne, and Rhine alongside flat plains, making it perfect for industrial development. Transportation by water is 3-10x cheaper than by land, and construction on flat terrain is 10-50% cheaper than on non-flat terrain. France occupies a central location with the ability to project power northward into Britain, southward into Spain/Italy/Africa, and eastward into Germany and Central Europe.

By comparison, Britain has a smaller carrying capacity, no access to the Mediterranean, and no ability to project land power into Europe. Spain, while having access to both Atlantic and Mediterranean, has a smaller carrying capacity and is isolated from the rest of the continent. Italy has a smaller carrying capacity, no access to the Atlantic, and is on the periphery like Spain. Germany, while having a good carrying capacity and central location, lacks access to both Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Only France has all three: large carrying capacity, excellent naval projection, and a central location. France is both a maritime and land power. It has access to both the Atlantic/Mediterranean and the European Plain.

Bonus: France is at the crossroads of Celtic, Latin, and Germanic Europe—absorbing traits from all three. It is a top achiever in both the arts and the sciences. It is the only West European continental power with a nuclear triad. Its nuclear technology was indigenously developed with little outside help. 75% of its electricity comes from nuclear reactors, and it leads the race for fusion.

Say what you will about French people and French culture, but France is the natural hegemon of Western Europe. At least from a geostrategic point of view. It is the only Western European country with a 100M+ carrying capacity and dual maritime access to the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It occupies a central location on the European Plain with the ability to project power northward into Britain, southward into Spain/Italy/Africa, and westward into Germany and Central Europe.

By comparison, Britain has a smaller carrying capacity, no access to the Mediterranean, and no ability to project land power into Europe. Spain has a smaller carrying capacity and is isolated from the rest of the continent. Italy has a smaller carrying capacity, no access to the Atlantic, and is on the periphery like Spain. Germany, while having a good carrying capacity and central location, lacks access to both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Only France has all three: large carrying capacity, excellent naval projection, and a central location. France is both a maritime and land power. It has access to both the European Plain and the Atlantic/Mediterranean. If the French could acquire a Teutonic spirit, I have no doubt they would unify Western Europe once more.

Say what you will about French people and French culture, but France is the natural hegemon of Western Europe. At least from a geostrategic point of view. It is the only Western European country with a 100M+ carrying capacity and dual access to the Atlantic and Mediterranean. It occupies a central location with power projecting capability into Britain, Spain, Italy, and Germany.

By comparison, Britain has a smaller carrying capacity, no access to the Mediterranean, and no ability to project land power into Europe. Spain has a smaller carrying capacity and is isolated from the rest of the continent. Italy has a smaller carrying capacity, no access to the Atlantic, and is on the periphery like Spain. Germany, while having a good carrying capacity and central location, lacks access to the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Only France has all three: large carrying capacity, excellent naval projection, and a central location.