Charente-Maritime Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
| Charente-Maritime | |
|---|---|
Details | |
| Information | |
| Number | 17 |
| Region | Poitou-Charentes |
| Prefecture | La Rochelle |
| Subprefectures | Jonzac Rochefort Saintes Saint-Jean-d'Angély |
| Population
- Total (1999) - Density | Ranked 39th
557,024 81 /km² |
| Area | 6,864 km² |
| Arrondissementss | 5 |
| Cantons | 51 |
| Communes | 472 |
| President of the general council | Claude BELOT |
| Location | |
Charente-Maritime is a département of France on the west coast of the country.
On September 4, 1941, the Charente Inférieure département was renamed Charente-Maritime.
Neighbouring départements are Gironde (33) in the south, Dordogne (24) to the southeast, Charente (16) to the east and Deux-Sèvres (79) and Vendée (85) to the north.
Charente-Maritime includes the islands Ile de Ré, Ile d'Aix, and Ile d'Oléron.
The Charente River flows through the département.
During the Summer months, families flock from around Europe to bask in the sun and enjoy the locally avaliable seafood. Popular destinations incude, La Rochelle, Rochefort, and Ile d'Oléron. One popular attraction is Zoo de la Palmyre in Royan.
Fishing is popular here (either professionally or casually) with oysters, mussels, crabs, and other seafood easily avaliable. On the side of professional fishing, Charente-Maritime is the headquarters of the major oyster producer Marennes-Oléron. Oysters cultivated here are shipped across Europe.
Rochefort is the site of shipbulding and a French naval base.
Lastly, La Rochelle is a seat of major French industry. Just outside the city is a factory for the French engeneering giant Alstom, where the TGV, the cars for the Paris and other Metros.History
Geography
Economy
The economy of Charente-Maritime is based upon three major sectors: tourism, martime industry, and manufacturing.