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- Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon
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Where is Languedoc-Roussillon located in France?
Languedoc-Roussillon was a former r\u00e9gion of France that encompassed the southern d\u00e9partements of LozÚre, Gard, Hérault, Aude, and Pyrénées-Orientales. The Massif Central extends into LozÚre, marking the northwestern borders of Gard, Hérault, and Aude. Languedoc's plain faces the Mediterranean, separated from Roussillon's plain by the CorbiÚres mountains. In 2016, Languedoc-Roussillon joined with Midi-Pyrénées to form Occitanie.
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What are the main cities in Languedoc-Roussillon?
Languedoc-Roussillon was a region in southern France that, in 2016, joined with the region of Midi-Pyrénées to form the new administrative entity of Occitanie.
Key cities in the former Languedoc-Roussillon region:
* Montpellier As the capital of the Hérault département and second-largest city in Occitanie, Montpellier is a major administrative and commercial hub with a rich history as a university city.
* Perpignan Formerly the capital of Roussillon, Perpignan is now a flourishing administrative and commercial center in the Pyrénées-Orientales département.
* Narbonne Situated in the Aude département, Narbonne is a town with Roman roots and a specialization in Aude wines.
* Béziers Located in the Hérault département, Béziers is known for its historical significance and wine trade, though the latter has diminished.7 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What is the climate like in Languedoc-Roussillon?
The climate in coastal Languedoc-Roussillon is Mediterranean, marked by mild winters averaging 47 °F (8 °C) in January and minimal frost. Precipitation is heavy in the autumn and spring, with dry summers lasting at least three months. Annual rainfall can be as low as 17 to 20 inches (430 to 500 mm). The area has clear skies and regular fine weather but experiences violent north winds called the mistral. In contrast, LozÚre and the Pyrenees have a mountain climate.
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What languages are spoken in Languedoc-Roussillon?
Languedoc-Roussillon, a former region of France that is now part of Occitanie, has a rich linguistic history. While French is the official language, other languages also have a presence in the region.
- Occitan, also known as Languedoc, is a historical language of southern France from which the region's name is derived. It is still spoken by some residents around NĂźmes and UzĂšs, as well as in Haute-Loire and ArdĂšche.
- Catalan is spoken in the Roussillon area, which is coextensive with the department of Pyrénées-Orientales.
- It's worth noting that in Roussillon, French is often spoken with a Catalan accent.
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What famous historical sites can be found in Languedoc-Roussillon?
Languedoc-Roussillon, now part of Occitanie, France, boasts several famous historical sites. The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a 17th-century feat of engineering that links the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Carcassonne features the finest remains of medieval fortifications in Europe, with a history dating back to the 5th century BCE. The Pont du Gard, another UNESCO site, is a giant Roman aqueduct constructed around 19 BCE. These monuments reflect the rich history and cultural significance of the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
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How has the culture of Languedoc-Roussillon been influenced by its history and geography?
Languedoc-Roussillon's culture has been shaped by its history and geography. From 121 BCE, the area was part of the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis, linking Italy and Spain, and was greatly influenced by Roman culture. The region's coastal plains and mountains have influenced agriculture, with vineyards in the plains and livestock in the uplands.
From the mid-12th century, the Cathari gained support in Languedoc, but the Albigensian Crusade, launched against them, brought the region under French royal control. Despite the war, the Cathar heresy wasn't removed from Languedoc. The Languedoc area became a center of French Protestantism in the 16th century. The Occitan language remains spoken around NĂźmes and UzĂšs.
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Languedoc-Roussillon, former région of France. As a région, it encompassed the southern départements of LozÚre, Gard, Hérault, Aude, and Pyrénées-Orientales and was roughly coextensive with the former province of Languedoc. In 2016 the Languedoc-Roussillon région was joined with the région of Midi-Pyrénées to form the new administrative entity of Occitanie.
The Massif Central extends into the dĂ©partement of LozĂšre and marks the northwestern borders of Gard, HĂ©rault, and Aude. The plain of Languedoc faces the Mediterranean and is separated from the plain of Roussillon to the southwest by the mountains of CorbiĂšres. The Pyrenees rise to heights of 11,000 feet (3,400 metres) in the south. In the north the CĂ©vennes mountain range, capped by Mount Aigoual (5,134 feet [1,565 metres]), is part of CĂ©vennes National Park. Some 400 rivers have their sources in LozĂšre. The regionâs principal rivers include the Allier, Aude, Garonne, Gard, HĂ©rault, Tarn, and TĂȘt. A Mediterranean climate prevails along the coast and a mountain climate in LozĂšre and the Pyrenees.
Languedoc-Roussillon was one of the fastest-growing regions of France, primarily because of an inflow of population, initially from outside France (Spain, North Africa) but more recently from within the country, particularly the Paris region. Hérault and Gard are the two most dynamic départements (where population growth has also been fueled by a high level of natural increase), while in the inland upland areas of LozÚre an aging population is increasing only slowly. Three-fourths of the inhabitants now live in urban areas. A number of residents speak a language distinct from French known as Languedoc, or Provençal.
Agriculture in the western upland areas revolves around the raising of beef cattle and sheep (notably in the CĂ©vennes). Forests are exploited commercially also. Traditionally, viticulture has been the dominant activity in the foothills and coastal plains; the wine produced, however, was not of high quality. Since the mid-20th century, however, irrigation has aided diversification and production. Fewer vineyards now exist, but better quality wines are produced. Fruits and vegetables (including apples, peaches, and tomatoes) are now cultivated widely.
The area has never been heavily industrialized, but it does have a tradition of industry. Textile and clothing concerns have long been present, while in the 19th century the mining of coal at AlĂšs led to the development of associated metallurgical industries. Both activities are now in decline. The processing of agricultural produce remains an important activity. Chemical production also has a long history and was initially linked to the needs of vintners. More recently, industrial development has been associated with electronics and information technology, pharmaceuticals, and medical products. Companies have been attracted to the region in part by its sunbelt image. Montpellier, in particular, has become a focus for high-tech industries and research.
Tourism is an important source of income for the area. There are a number of resorts along the coast, including purpose-built resorts such as La Grande Motte and Port BacarĂšs and older traditional resorts such as Collioure. The mountainous interior is also being increasingly developed for tourism, including winter sports, with Font-Romeu being one of the leading resorts. Roman monuments abound and draw their share of tourists. Among the most famous is the Pont du Gard, an aqueduct that bridges the Gard River near Remoulins.
A coastal motorway links the region to Spain and to the RhĂŽne valley. Another key motorway provides access to western France. High-speed train (train Ă grande vitesse; TGV) services connect to Lyon, Paris, and northern France. A regional airport is located at Montpellier.
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