Tarn-et-Garonne

Tarn-et-Garonne
Name	Tarn-et-Garonne
Capital	Montauban
Largest city	Montauban
Area	3,718
Population	262,316
Population date	2019
Cantons	15
Communes	195

Tarn-et-Garonne is a department in the Occitanie region of France, located in the southwest of the country, bordering the Garonne and Tarn rivers, and named after them. The department is surrounded by the Gers department to the west, Haute-Garonne to the south, Aveyron to the east, and Lot and Dordogne to the north. The capital of Tarn-et-Garonne is Montauban, which is also the largest city in the department, and is situated near the Canal de Montech, a canal that connects the Garonne to the Midi Canal. The department is also home to the Aquitaine Basin, a large sedimentary basin that covers much of southwestern France, including the Landes department and the Pyrenees mountains.

Geography

The geography of Tarn-et-Garonne is characterized by the Garonne and Tarn rivers, which flow through the department and provide fertile soil and water resources for the local population. The department is also home to the Quercy plateau, a region of limestone hills and valleys that covers much of the eastern part of the department, and is known for its scenic landscapes and picturesque villages, such as Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val and Cordes-sur-Ciel. The Massif Central mountain range is located to the east of the department, and includes the Montagne Noire range, which is home to several peaks, including the Pic de Nore, the highest point in the department. The department is also bordered by the Aveyron department to the east, and the Lot department to the north, and is situated near the Cahors region, known for its wine production, including the Cahors wine.

History

The history of Tarn-et-Garonne dates back to the Middle Ages, when the department was part of the County of Toulouse, a feudal state that covered much of southern France, including the Languedoc region and the Rouergue province. The department was also an important center of trade and commerce during the Renaissance, with the city of Montauban serving as a major hub for the textile industry, and the Canal de Montech providing a vital transportation link between the Garonne and the Midi Canal. The department was also home to several notable historical figures, including Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a Haitian revolutionary who was born in the department, and Jean Calas, a Huguenot merchant who was wrongly accused of murder and executed in Toulouse. The department was also affected by the French Revolution, with the National Convention playing a significant role in the region's history, and the Committee of Public Safety exercising significant control over the department.

Demographics

The demographics of Tarn-et-Garonne are characterized by a population of around 262,000 people, with the majority living in the urban areas of Montauban and Castelsarrasin. The department has a diverse population, with a mix of French, Occitan, and Gascon communities, and a significant Huguenot heritage, with many Protestant churches and communities throughout the department, including the Eglise Réformée de France. The department is also home to several university campuses, including the University of Toulouse, which has a campus in Montauban, and the Institut national des sciences appliquées de Toulouse, which is located in the nearby city of Toulouse. The department has a relatively low population density, with an average of around 70 people per square kilometer, and a significant proportion of the population lives in rural areas, with many small villages and towns throughout the department, including Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val and Cordes-sur-Ciel.

Economy

The economy of Tarn-et-Garonne is diverse, with a mix of agriculture, industry, and services. The department is known for its production of wine, including the Cahors wine and the Fronton wine, and is home to several vineyards and wineries, including the Château Lagrézette and the Château Saint-Sardos. The department is also an important center for the aerospace industry, with several major companies, including Airbus and Thales Group, having facilities in the department, and the Toulouse Space Centre is located in the nearby city of Toulouse. The department is also home to several research institutions, including the French National Centre for Scientific Research and the Institut national de la recherche agronomique, which are located in the nearby city of Toulouse.

Culture

The culture of Tarn-et-Garonne is rich and diverse, with a mix of Occitan and French influences. The department is home to several festivals and events throughout the year, including the Festival de Montauban, which celebrates the city's history and culture, and the Fête de la Musique, which is held in Montauban and other towns throughout the department. The department is also known for its cuisine, which includes dishes such as Cassoulet and Duck confit, and is home to several markets and food festivals, including the Marché de Montauban and the Fête de la Gastronomie. The department is also home to several museums and art galleries, including the Musée Ingres in Montauban, which is dedicated to the works of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and the Musée de la Faïence in Montauban, which showcases the city's historic pottery industry.

Administration

The administration of Tarn-et-Garonne is headed by the General Council of Tarn-et-Garonne, which is responsible for the department's local government and public services. The department is divided into two arrondissements, Arrondissement of Castelsarrasin and Arrondissement of Montauban, and 15 cantons, including the Canton of Montauban-1 and the Canton of Castelsarrasin. The department is also part of the Occitanie region, which is headed by the Regional Council of Occitanie, and is represented in the National Assembly by several deputys, including Valérie Rabault and Sylvia Pinel. The department is also home to several town halls and municipal buildings, including the Hôtel de Ville de Montauban and the Hôtel de Ville de Castelsarrasin.

Category:Departments of France