[JadeNB]

As a geographical idiot who has just consulted a map, I am puzzled by:

> I know of one almost [1] counterexample (of that specific statement, not of the four-color theorem): the North Sea, Belgium, the French Republic, Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands all border each other, so you need five different colors to color them on a map.

On Google Maps, Belgium seems to interpose entirely between France and the Netherlands. Am I deceived by appearances, or is there some subtle geopolitical point?

[Someone]

Read my post again, especially the part after Confused?

The kingdom of the Netherlands borders the French Republic in the Caribbean.

[JadeNB]

Ah—I knew (because the 4-colour theorem holds!) that there must be a meeting at a corner or a disconnection, but I couldn't see either! Thanks for clarifying.