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Auvergne

Auvergne Region
Blason de l'Auvergne
Details
Information
Capital Clermont-Ferrand
Population


 - Total (1999)


 - Density


1,308,878


50 /km²
Area 26,013 km²
Censored pages 14
Cantons 158
Communes 1,310
President of the
regional council
Pierre-Joël Bonté
(since April 2004)
Départements
Allier (03)
Cantal (15)
Haute-Loire (43)
Puy-de-Dôme (63)
Location
Location of Auvergne in France


Auvergne is an administrative région of central France, consisting of the départements of Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal, Haute-Loire and Allier.

Contents

History

Auvergne was also historically a province of France, deriving its name from Averni, a Gallic tribe who once occupied the area. In 1790, the historical province was divided into the modern-day départements, although Haute-Loire and Allier also include some land from the historical provinces of Bourbonnais , Lyonnais and Languedoc.

See also Rulers of Auvergne

Geography

The principal town of Auvergne is Clermont-Ferrand. A large part of the Auvergne region is covered by the volcanic Massif Central mountain range, which stretches over nearly one-sixth of France's total area.

Traditional costume in Auvergne around 1900.
Enlarge
Traditional costume in Auvergne around 1900.

Economy

The region is famed for its cheeses, exports of mineral waters, and tires. It is also the site of a number of major hydroelectric projects, mainly located on the Tarn, Dordogne, Cère , Lot, and Truyère rivers.

Culture

The Auvergnat language was historically spoken in Auvergne.

The composer Joseph Canteloube based his well known piece Songs of the Auvergne (1930; for voice and orchestra) on folk music and songs from Auvergne.

The writer Clark Ashton Smith wrote a series of short stories based in the mythical region of Averoigne, a fictional counterpart to this region.





Last updated: 02-05-2005 01:04:08
Last updated: 02-11-2005 17:47:38