Drôme

The Drome [ dʀo ː m] is a French department of order number 26 It is in the southeast of the country in the region Rhône -Alpes and was named after the river Drôme, a tributary of the Rhone.

Geography

The Drome region located in the southeast of France, in the Dauphiné area, and has an area of ​​6530 km ². Thus, it belongs to the medium-sized departments. The highest point is 2,453 meters with the Rocher Rond, another well-known summit is the Roc de Garnesier ( 2,388 m). The lowest point is located at 50 meters above sea level, at the point where the Rhone leaves the Territory to the south.

The area of the Drôme Provençale can be divided into three natural landscapes: the hilly area between the rivers Rhône and Isère in the north of the department, the valley of the Rhône ( Vallée du Rhône), which extends from north to south over the whole area of the Drôme, and a section of the French Alps in the east of the department. These include the Vercors Mountains, Dévoluy, Diois and Baronnies.

The Drome region borders the departments of Ardèche, Isère, Hautes -Alpes, Alpes -de -Haute -Provence and Vaucluse.

Coat of arms

Description: gold and blue divided by wave cut; above a rotbeflosster blue dolphin and below a silver wave beams.

History

The area of the Drôme Provençale was occupied in ancient times by the Celtic tribe of the Allobrogians, their settlements were found mainly on the banks of the Isère. Other small Gallic ( Celtic ) tribes inhabited the area.

In the 3rd century BC, Hannibal conquered the territory of the Drôme on his way from Spain to Italy. After the victory of the Roman Empire over the Carthaginians, the area came under Roman rule ( 2nd century BC).

Under Roman rule

As a province of the Roman Empire, the country experienced an economic boom. In the fertile valleys in what is now the Drôme Provençale created numerous settlements. These people lived mainly from agriculture. The towns of Saint -Paul -Trois -Châteaux (Augusta Tricastinorum ), The ( Colonia Augusta Dea Vocontiorum ) and Valence (Julia Valencia) developed in the industry and were able to trade their goods for sale to the Romans.

Changing rule

In the 4th century the barbarians invaded the country. After a short reign the Visigoths could conquer the area now Drôme Provençale. Only a few decades later, the Vandals and Alans conquered the whole of the south of France. Finally, the Burgundians installed in the 6th century in this area. 737 broke up the Kingdom of Burgundy, and now belonged to the Frankish Empire.

During the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries many wars between the bishops, earls, and other noblemen were fought in this area. Finally, Friedrich entered the country from I. to the Bishop of Valence.

Administrative divisions

With effect from 1 February 2006, the cantons of Dieulefit, Marsanne, Montelimar Montelimar 1 and 2 changed in the course of administrative reform in Valence Arrondissement Arrondissement of Nyons.