What did the Romans call the region that is now known as France?

The region that is now known as France was called Gaul by the Romans. This term encompassed a vast area inhabited by the Celtic tribes, known as Gauls, before and during Roman conquest in the 1st century BCE. The Romans successfully expanded their territory in this region, establishing it as a significant part of the Roman Empire. The name Gaul comes from the Latin "Gallia," which referred specifically to the tribal societies present there and the lands they occupied.

In contrast, Hispania refers to the Iberian Peninsula, which now includes Spain and Portugal; Germania pertains to areas inhabited by Germanic tribes, generally to the northeast of Gaul; and Dacia refers to the region corresponding to modern-day Romania and Moldova, known for its rich resources and conquest during the reign of Emperor Trajan. The distinction among these names reflects the diverse cultures and geographic areas recognized by the Romans within their expanding empire.