Hauts-de-France
Hauts-de-France (French pronunciation: [o də fʁɑ̃s] ; lit. 'Heights of France', Upper France,[3] Picard: Heuts d'Franche) is the northernmost region of France, created by the territorial reform of French regions in 2014, from a merger of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy. Its prefecture is Lille. The new region came into existence on 1 January 2016, after regional elections in December 2015.[4] The Conseil d'État approved Hauts-de-France as the name of the region on 28 September 2016, effective the following 30 September.[5][6]
With 6,009,976 inhabitants as of 1 January 2015 and a population density of 189 inhabitants per km2, it is the third most populous region in France and the second-most densely populated in metropolitan France after its southern neighbour Île-de-France. It is bordered by Belgium to the north and by the United Kingdom to the northwest through the Channel Tunnel, a railway tunnel crossing the English Channel. The region is a blend mixture of French and (southern-) Dutch cultures.
Toponymy[edit]
The region's interim name Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie was a hyphenated placename, created by hyphenating the merged regions' names—Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie—in alphabetical order.[7]
On 14 March 2016, well ahead of the 1 July deadline, the regional council decided on Hauts-de-France as the region's permanent name.[5][7] The provisional name of the region was retired on 30 September 2016, when the new name of the region, Hauts-de-France, took effect.[6]
Notre Dame de Laon, France
Economy[edit]
The gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 161.7 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 6.9% of French economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 24,200 euros or 80% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 101% of the EU average.[8]
Linen weaving[edit]
The region was a pivotal centre of mulquinerie.
(in French)
Official website
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