Normandy is a geographical
region corresponding to the former Duchy of
Normandy. The continental territory covers
30,627 km2 and forms the preponderant part of
Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of
France. The region is bordered along the
northern coasts by the English Channel. There
are granite cliffs in the west and limestone cliffs
in the east. There are also long stretches of beach
in the centre of the region. During the Second
World War, the D-Day landings on the
Normandy beaches under the code name
Operation Neptune, started the lengthy Battle of
Normandy which resulted in the Liberation of
Paris, the restoration of the French Republic, and
was a significant turning point in the war.