France, Austria and Switzerland are Southwest Europe rather than Northwest Europe.

[cyberlorian]

I have been to those three countries and I guess they are more Southwestern rather than Northwestern. I have also been to Northern European countries such as Sweden, Finland and also I have been Southern European countries such as Spain and Greece. I guess, France, Austria and Switzerland are Southwest Europe rather than Northwest Europe.

[Jana]

Geographically They are closer to southern than to northern seas (excluding north of France) but in case of Austria and Switzerland majority of their population has northwestern European origin as well as their language

France is both.

[Ouistreham]

No. Switzerland is indeed geographically closer to the Mediterranean than to the North Sea, their biggest towns (Basel, Zürich) are psychologically closer to Hamburg and Amsterdam because of the Rhine. Same in France, with all big rivers flowing towards North-West.
Austria is something else. It was a Germanic advance on Danubian Slavic/Hungaric territory, like Prussia was more in the North.

[cyberlorian]

No. Switzerland is indeed geographically closer to the Mediterranean than to the North Sea, their biggest towns (Basel, Zürich) are psychologically closer to Hamburg and Amsterdam because of the Rhine. Same in France, with all big rivers flowing towards North-West.
Austria is something else. It was a Germanic advance on Danubian Slavic/Hungaric territory, like Prussia was more in the North.

I actually opened the thread when thinking about culture and geography. France, Austria and Switzerland are lively like Spain and Greece rather than Sweden and Finland.

[Ouistreham]

I actually opened the thread when thinking about culture and geography. France, Austria and Switzerland are lively like Spain and Greece rather than Sweden and Finland.

Obviously you've never been in Europe.

[Tooting Carmen]

I actually opened the thread when thinking about culture and geography. France, Austria and Switzerland are lively like Spain and Greece rather than Sweden and Finland.

Parts of France yes. Not the other two countries.

[Regnera]

Why do you think Austria is SOUTHERN WEST Europe?I think Austria is neither "South" nor "West" of Europe

[cyberlorian]

Why do you think Austria is SOUTHERN WEST Europe?I think Austria is neither "South" nor "West" of Europe

It is West of Europe.

[Visage pâle]

South Europe is Portugal, Spain, southern Italy, Greece, Malta.

[cyberlorian]

South Europe is Portugal, Spain, southern Italy, Greece, Malta.

Northern Italy?