Knowing France… contd.

Bonjour and welcome back to the second of the three part ‘Knowing France’ series. Get to know seven more provinces of France -- some well known, and some unheard of. Have fun...

Corsica

Capital: Ajjacio

a.  An island by itself.

b.  Excellent coastline and exceptional natural beauty makes for a great tourist destination.

c.  Fabulous, mild climate.

Franche-Comte

Capital: Besancon

a.  This region is the capital of France’s watch and clock-making industry and of high precision engineering.

b.  Montbéliard-Sochaux is home to the Peugeot car firm.

c.  Several traditional activities like cheese-making, woodwork, etc., make this region very popular.

Ile-de-France

Capital: Paris

a.  Includes about 18 per cent of France’s population.

b.  Highest concentration of economic activities, including industry and services. Also, all government departments, national headquarters of public authorities and the head offices of the main companies are located there.

c.  Paris houses a number of international organizations including UNESCO and the OECD.

Languedoc-Roussillon

Capital: Montpellier

a.  Important University centre.

b.  Currently in a revival mode thanks to the diversification of its agriculture, the expansion of tourism, the establishment of advanced technology industries and research.

Limousin

Capital: Limoges

a.  Main activities are the agri-foodstuffs industry and the production of leather.

b.  Famous for the ‘Porcelaine de Limoges’ which produces luxury wares of world-wide renown.

c.  A special effort is being made to open up the region.

Lorraine

Capital: Metz

a.  This region was once known for the iron and Steel industry as well as the coal mines, on which its wealth was built.

b.  With the dwindling status of the industry, the region has faces a great amount of economic problems, but is now undergoing some far-reaching programs of industrial reconversion and diversification of activities. 

c.  Nancy, in this region is a university centre.

Midi-Pyrenees

Capital: Toulouse

a.  Largest of metropolitan France's 22 regions.

b.  Toulouse is the main centre of France's aerospace industry (the Airbus is assembled there).

c.  It is the second in importance for advanced technological activities in France (research, data-processing, computers, robotics).

Look out for the last part. Watch this space again.