Pas-de-Calais
Details
Information
Number	62
Region	Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Prefecture	Arras
Subprefectures	Béthune Boulogne-sur-Mer Calais Lens Montreuil-sur-Mer Saint-Omer
Population  - Total (1999)  - Density	Ranked 5th 1,441,568 216 /km²
Area	6,671 km²;
Arrondissements	7
Cantons	77
Communes	894
President of the general council	Roland Huguet
Location

Pas-de-Calais is a département of northern France.

Contents

1 Administration 2 History 3 Geography 4 Economy 5 Demographics 6 Culture 7 Miscellaneous topics 8 External links

Administration

Pas-de-Calais constitutes, along with the neighbouring département of Nord, the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

History

Pas-de-Calais was created in 1790 out of the former provinces of the coastal Boulonnais and Artois to the east.

Some of the costliest battles of World War I were fought here. At Vimy Ridge is Canada's most important memorial to its fallen soldiers.

The Pas-de-Calais was also the subject of Operation Fortitude during World War II, which was an Allied plan to deceive OKW that the invasion of Europe was to occur here, rather than in Normandy.

Geography

Its principal towns are, on the coast, Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer, and in Artois, Lens, Liévin, Arras and Saint-Omer.

Some of the municipalities of the department include: Annay-sous-Lens, Aubigny-en-Artois, Audruicq, Barlin, Bénifontaine, Bertincourt, Bourthes, Cambrin, Carency, Cauchy-à-la-Tour, Croisilles, Dainville, Desvres, Divion, Dourges, Douvrin, Équihen-Plage, Fauquembergues, Fruges, Givenchy en Gohelle.

Economy

Demographics

Culture

Miscellaneous topics

External links