Nouvelle-Aquitaine
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| Nouvelle-Aquitaine | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nouvelle-Aquitaine |
| Settlement type | Region |
| Seat | Bordeaux |
| Departments | Charente, Charente-Maritime, Corrèze, Creuse, Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne, Haute-Vienne |
| President | Alain Rousset (PS) |
| Area total km2 | 84036 |
| Population total | 6044115 |
| Population as of | 2021 |
| Population rank | 4th |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| GDP total | €177.9 billion |
| GDP as of | 2022 |
| GDP per capita | €29,400 |
| GDP per capita rank | 10th |
| NUTS | FRB |
| ISO | FR-NAQ |
| Website | https://www.nouvelle-aquitaine.fr/ |
Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is the largest administrative region in Metropolitan France, created in 2016 from the merger of the former regions of Aquitaine, Limousin, and Poitou-Charentes. Stretching from the Loire Valley to the Pyrenees, its territory encompasses a vast and diverse landscape anchored by a long Atlantic Ocean coastline. The region is governed from its prefecture, the historic port city of Bordeaux, and is a major economic and cultural hub within the European Union.
Geography
The region's geography is defined by its extensive western coastline along the Bay of Biscay, featuring major landmarks like the Dune du Pilat and the Arcachon Bay. Inland, the terrain includes the fertile plains of the Garonne and Dordogne river valleys, the forested expanse of the Landes forest, and the central highlands of the Limousin plateau. To the south, the landscape rises dramatically into the Pyrenees mountains, which form the border with Spain near Pau and the Basque Country. Other significant waterways include the Charente, the Vienne, and the Lot.
History
Historically, the area was a mosaic of ancient provinces and powerful fiefdoms. It encompasses the former Duchy of Aquitaine, held by Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the Kingdom of Navarre, with Henry IV of France born in Pau. The region saw pivotal conflicts like the Hundred Years' War, including the Battle of Castillon, and the French Wars of Religion, with significant Huguenot presence in La Rochelle. During World War II, the coast was part of the Atlantic Wall, and the inland areas around Limoges were centers of French Resistance activity.
Demographics
With a population exceeding six million, the region's demographic weight is concentrated in major urban areas. The primary metropolitan area is Bordeaux Métropole, followed by those around Bayonne, Limoges, Poitiers, and La Rochelle. Other significant population centers include Pau, Angoulême, and Agen. The territory has a notable population of British migrants, particularly in Dordogne, and maintains strong cultural identities, especially in the Basque Country and the Occitania linguistic area.
Economy
The economy is diverse, with a strong agricultural sector famous for Bordeaux wine, Cognac, and Armagnac production, alongside major fruit and vegetable cultivation in Lot-et-Garonne. Industry is anchored by the aerospace cluster around Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport linked to Airbus and Dassault Aviation, and the nuclear research center at CESTA. Tourism is a major pillar, driven by coastal resorts like Biarritz and Royan, historic sites such as the Lascaux caves and the Saint-Émilion vineyards, and the surf culture of the Côte d'Argent.
Culture and heritage
The region boasts a rich cultural heritage, from the prehistoric cave paintings of Lascaux to the Romanesque architecture of the Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe abbey, a UNESCO site. It is the birthplace of literary figures like François Mauriac and Michel de Montaigne, and artists including Auguste Renoir. Cultural events range from the Bordeaux International Documentary Festival to the Francofolies in La Rochelle. Local traditions are vibrant, from Basque pelota and ferias in the south to oyster festivals in Marennes-Oléron.
Administration and politics
The region is administered from the regional capital in Bordeaux and is divided into twelve departments: Charente, Charente-Maritime, Corrèze, Creuse, Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne, and Haute-Vienne. Since its creation, the Regional Council has been presided over by Alain Rousset of the Socialist Party. The region also contains parts of the European Parliament constituency of South-West France.