In French, countries, continents, regions and states have genders. See Continents/countries/counties/regions/states are masculine, feminine or plural in French (Gender).
Learn how to use the French definite articles with continents, countries & region names
Now look at these sentences:
La France est un merveilleux pays.France is a wonderful country.
J'adore le Portugal et l'Italie.I love Portugal and Italy.
Les États-Unis sont un immense pays.The United States is a huge country.
Il adore l'Europe.He loves Europe.
Je déteste la Californie ou la Provence.I hate California or Provence.
Notice that in French, countries/continents/states/regions are used with the definite article le, la, l' or les, when used in general statements, unlike in English.
ATTENTION:
When talking about going to or from a country, you won't use the definite article.
See En/au/aux = In/to with countries and continents (French Prepositions).
NOTE that cities do not use articles:
J'aime Paris et Londres.I love Paris and London.
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