|
PROVINCES of FRANCE (page 2)
|
This page provides
summary descriptions of France's 22 provincial regions, listing
geographic size, population figures, administrative capitals, and
brief information on resources and economy. For a more detailed page
on each province, choose your destination from the Table of Contents,
or scroll down and click on the name of the province below.
|
Summary Descriptions:
|
|
|
(click on province name for detailed page)
|
Alsace
Area: 8,280 km2
Population: 1,649,000
Regional capital: Strasbourg
This region, which lies on the left bank of the Rhine, links
France to Germany and its position, in the European context, is of
special significance. This prime location has proved extremely
advantageous for the Alsatian economy. Its industry is highly
diversified (engineering, textiles, chemicals, breweries, etc.).
The Alsatian capital, Strasbourg, is the home of the European
Parliament on whose presence it seeks to increase its development.
|
|
Aquitaine
Area: 41,309 km2
Population: 2,842,000
Regional capital: Bordeaux
For many years, Aquitaine has essentially owed its wealth to the
famous vineyards of the Bordeaux country and to its vast pine
forests. Despite the good results achieved in the aerospace,
agri-foodstuffs and wood pulp industries, the scale of industrial
development is still open to improvement. The region´s varied
coastline has encouraged the development of tourism (Biarritz, St
Jean-de-Luz, Arcachon). Fresh impetus has been given by the new
TGV train.
|
|
Auvergne
Area: 26,013 km2
Population: 1,317,000
Regional capital: Clermont-Ferrand
This relatively mountainous region, in the very heart of France,
has always had to contend with the problem of its relative isolation.
Agriculture is centred on beef cattle and the production of cheese.
There has been a certain amount of industrial development (for
instance, the Michelin tyre factory in Clermont-Ferrand); tourism is
also a feature of the area, which has a number of natural spas.
|
|
Burgundy
Area: 31,582 km2
Population: 1,614,000
Regional capital: Dijon
Burgundy may be likened to a great thoroughfare on the European
north-south axis. Lacking a dominant sector in its economy, it
offers a wide variety of activities in agriculture (Burgundy wines,
beef cattle) and in industry (metallurgy, engineering, foodstuffs,
etc.). The region´s renowned architectural treasures and
gastronomy greatly benefit tourism.
|
|
Brittany
Area: 27,209 km2
Population: 2,828,000
Regional capital: Rennes
Improved road and rail links have sped up the development of
Brittany which was at one time of relatively difficult access and,
for many years, a land of emigration. It is now France´s main
agricultural area and new industries have been established in its
cities (motor vehicle plants in Rennes, engineering and electronics
in Brest). Tourism plays an important role. Brittany also plays a
significant role in France´s fishing industry.
|
|
Centre
Area: 39,151 km2
Population: 2,403,000
Regional capital: Orléans
An important feature of this region is its very high agricultural
potential (France´s most important in terms of cereal
production). It has also benefited from the decentralisation of
companies transferred from the Paris area (motor vehicle accessories,
electronics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics). The wealth of its historic
heritage (Chateaux of the Loire, Chartres cathedral, etc.) attracts many
tourists.
|
|
Champagne-Ardenne
Area: 25,606 km2
Population: 1,351,000
Regional capital: Châlons-sur-Marne
This region is endowed with rich agricultural resources such as
cereal crops and vineyards which produce the famous Champagne.
Champagne-Ardenne is also updating and replacing some of its older
industries (iron foundries, textiles) thanks to new developments in
electronics, agri-foodstuffs, etc.
|
|
Corsica
Area: 8,680 km2
Population 253,000
Regional capital: Ajaccio
Corsica, an island, is a region in itself. With a small population
due to emigration, it has little industry and limited agricultural
resources (vineyards, sheep). Yet, the length of the coastline, the
mildness of the climate and the exceptional beauty of the landscape
lead tourism to constitute a substantial source of income for the
islanders.
|
|
Franche-Comté
Area: 16,202 km2
Population: 1,107,000
Regional capital: Besançon
A high proportion of this region´s population works in industry.
Besançon is the capital of France´s watch and clock-making
industry and of high precision engineering, while Montbéliard-Sochaux
is the home of the Peugeot car firm. More traditional activities are
also carried out: cheese-making, woodwork, etc.
|
|
Ile-de-France
Area: 12,012 km2
Population: 10,904,000
Regional capital: Paris
Containing the Paris conurbation, the region includes about 18% of the
population of France and has the highest concentration of economic
activities, including industry (motor vehicles, electronics, clothing,
pharmaceuticals) and services. All government departments, national
headquarters of public authorities and the head offices of the main
companies are located there. Prime resources in education and research
are to be found in the Paris area. A major press, publishing and arts
centre, Paris also houses a number of international organisations
including UNESCO and the OECD.
|
|
Languedoc-Roussillon
Area: 23,376 km2
Population: 2,183,000
Regional capital: Montpellier
The economic development of this region has lagged behind, due to a
shortage of manufacturing industries and a crisis in wine production.
It is now enjoying a real revival, thanks to the diversification of its
agriculture, the expansion of tourism, the establishment of advanced
technology industries and research, in particular in and around
Montpellier, the regional capital and an important university centre.
|
|
Limousin
Area: 16,942 km2
Population: 718,000
Regional capital: Limoges
The agri-foodstuffs industry and the production of leather are
the main activities of this region. A number of manufacturing
industries operate successfully, for example the "Porcelaine de
Limoges" which produces luxury wares of world-wide renown. A special
effort is being made to open up the region.
|
|
Lorraine
Area: 23,547 km2
Population: 2,295,000
Regional capital: Metz
The difficulties encountered by the iron and steel industry, and
the coal mines on which the wealth of Lorraine was built, have
brought about economic problems and the region is now engaged in a
far-reaching program of industrial reconversion and diversification
of activities in Metz, the regional capital and in Nancy, the
university centre.
|
|
Midi-Pyrénées
Area: 45,348 km2
Population: 2,471,000
Regional capital: Toulouse
This is the largest of metropolitan France´s 22 regions.
Traditionally an agricultural area, it has been affected by the
exodus of its rural population. It is now undergoing a marked
economic recovery. Toulouse is the main centre of France´s
aerospace industry (the Airbus is assembled there) and the second
in importance for advanced technological activities in France
(research, data-processing, computers, robotics).
|
|
Nord Pas-de-Calais
Area: 12,412 km2
Population: 3,985,000
Regional capital: Lille
This was France´s major industrial region in the 19th
century (thanks to the coal and textile industries) and the most
heavily populated. In recent years, it has had to cope with the
closure of mines, the decline of the steel industry and the problems
of the textile industry. In spite of this, the region which has long
been an area of vast economic potential is developing modern
industries and intends to take full advantage of the new
opportunities offered by the Channel tunnel and the TGV-Nord high
speed train service.
|
|
Lower Normandy
Area: 17,589 km2
Population: 1,404,000
Regional capital: Caen
Formerly, this was essentially an agricultural region but its
economy has undergone change with the development of the
agri-foodstuffs industry and the creation of a number of light
industries (light engineering, motor vehicles, electronics). Tourism
is significant, especially along the coastline. Lower Normandy also
has two seaports Cherbourg and Caen, providing regular services with
the United Kingdom.
|
|
Upper Normandy
Area: 12,317 km2
Population: 1,760,000
Regional capital: Rouen
The main feature of the region´s economy is the
considerable development of the Lower Seine with its two major
ports of Le Havre and Rouen (France´s 2nd and 5th largest) and
their industries (oil refining, chemicals, motor vehicles).
Agriculture (livestock, cereals), the agri-foodstuffs industry and
tourism all contribute to the economic life of the region whose
proximity to Paris is a great asset.
|
|
Pays de la Loire
Area: 32,082 km2
Population: 3,112,000
Regional capital: Nantes
The region holds second place in France in terms of agricultural
production and first place for livestock breeding. Originally, the
region´s economy was based essentially on the agri-foodstuffs
industry but it has become gradually more diversified and now
includes electronics, engineering, clothing and footwear. The hub of
its activity is the Nantes-Saint Nazaire port complex, the fourth
largest in France. A high speed train service (TGV) links Nantes
with Paris in 2 hours, thus furthering development of the economy
and of tourism (Atlantic beaches).
|
|
Picardy
Area: 19,399 km2
Population: 1,847,000
Regional capital: Amiens
This is a very rich agricultural area (cereals and industrial
crops) which has led to the development of the agri-foodstuffs
industry (sugar, flour mills). Picardy´s position, set half way
between the Ile-de-France and the Nord Pas-de-Calais region, means
that it has also been able to develop its chemical,
tire-manufacturing and other industries. Picardy intends taking full
advantage of its pivotal geographical position.
|
|
Poitou-Charentes
Area: 25,809 km2
Population: 1,617,000
Regional capital: Poitiers
A mainly rural region &endash; with farmland used mainly for beef
cattle and the vineyards used for the production of Cognac. The
Poitou-Charentes region has been undergoing growing industrialisation
over the last few decades, with the creation of agri-foodstuffs
industries and light industries (engineering, tyres, etc.). The
seaport of La Rochelle and the beaches along the Atlantic also
contribute to the region´s economy.
|
|
Provence-Alpes-Côte d´Azur
Area: 31,400 km2
Population: 4,375,000
Regional capital: Marseilles
The region owes its wealth to its Mediterranean coastline, its
excellent climate and its natural beauty. Marseilles, France´s
largest port and the second in Europe (after Rotterdam) shapes the
region´s economic life: oil refineries, iron and steel
production, chemicals, foodstuffs, etc. To the east, Nice and the
Côte d´Azur have, for over a century, been famous tourist
resorts. The French perfume industry has its base in and around
Grasse. The region also attracts high technology such as the Sophia
Antipolis multi-function polis.
|
|
Rhône-Alpes
Area: 43,698 km2
Population: 5,495,000
Regional capital: Lyons
From the point of view of population and of economic development,
Rhône-Alpes ranks second in importance among metropolitan
France´s 22 regions. The Lyons conurbation, constitutes
France´s second most important manufacturing and services
centre (electrical and mechanical engineering, chemicals, clothing,
etc.). Lyons is also renowned for its universities, besides being
the second largest financial centre. The region, one of France´s
major tourist areas, was selected for the 1992 Winter Olympics.
|
|
|
