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Ardennes (département)

Ardennes

Details
Information
Number08
RegionChampagne-Ardenne
PrefectureCharleville-Mézières
SubprefecturesRethel
Sedan
Vouziers
Population


 - Total (1999)
 - Density

Ranked 75th


290,130


55 /km²
Area5,229 km²
Arrondissements4
Cantons37
Communes463
President of the
general council
XX
Location
Location of Ardennes in France

Ardennes is a département in the northeast of France named after the Ardennes area.

Contents

History

The department was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It is constituted of parts of the former provinces of Champagne and Argonne, and the principality of Sedan.

The area has been the location of much fighting, both in World War I and in World War II, such as the Battle of the Ardennes and the Battle of the Bulge.

Geography

The department is surrounded by the French departments of Meuse, Marne, and Aisne and by Belgium on the north.

Situated in the Ardennes uplands on the border with Belgium, the department of Ardennes includes many areas of very dense woodland.

The principal river is the Meuse River.

Demographics

The population of Ardennes has been in steady decrease since 1982 due to exodus to the cities. With 1.3 million people and a density of 52/km², it is one of France's least populated regions.

Miscellaneous topics

List of the communes of the Ardennes département

External links


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