French overseas department

French overseas departments are regions located outside mainland France but integrated as part of the French Republic, sharing its legal status, political representation, and national services. Examples include Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion. They function like regular French regions, with elected councils and the same laws, but are geographically distant. Residents are French citizens with the right to vote and access to social services. These departments balance local cultural identities with administration rooted in France, emphasizing their status as integral parts of the country while facing unique regional challenges.