Pyrénées-Orientales

The department of Pyrénées- Orientales [ piʀene ( z) ɔʀjɑtal ] (Catalan Pyrenees Orientals ) is a French department of atomic number 66 It is in the southwest of the country in the Languedoc- Roussillon region on the Spanish border and was named after its location on the eastern edge of the Pyrenees named.

Geography

Pyrénées- Orientales is bordered to the east by the Mediterranean Sea, to the south of Spain, in the north of the Aude department and to the west by the department of Ariege and Andorra.

The department includes the historical province of Roussillon and in the north a small part of the historical province of Languedoc, the Fenouillèdes.

The valleys of the Tet and Tech widen at the eastern foot of the Canigoukette to a very fertile plain with a Mediterranean climate and lush vegetation, which is preceded by a constructed of rubble, flat coastal strip, which forms the Vermilion with the northward subsequent lagoon coast and developed for tourism should be.

The population engaged in wine and olive growing, timber and grazing.

Coat of arms

Description: In gold four red posts.

History

The Roussillon province belonged since the early Middle Ages to Catalonia, with this later to the Crown of Aragon and then to Spain. By the Treaty of Corbeil in 1258 its border with France is set.

In 1659, the Roussillon came through the Treaty of the Pyrenees in France.

Cities

Administrative divisions

  • List of municipalities in the department of Pyrénées- Orientales
  • List of cantons in the department of Pyrénées- Orientales

Culture

The department corresponds largely to the historical landscape of northern Catalonia. Catalan, the original language of the region, has been now replaced in large part by the French. French is the sole official language, while Catalan is only taught as an optional subject in schools and the University of Perpignan and maintained by private initiative. Nevertheless speak or understand today about 43% of the residents of the Pyrénées- Orientales, the Catalan language. ( Charte de faveur du Catalan French) On 10 December 2007, the Conseil Général a charter for the promotion of the Catalan language decided.

Attractions

The Roussillon is a cradle of Romanesque architecture in France. Of outstanding importance are several monasteries in the Pyrenees:

  • Saint -Martin- du- Canigou
  • Saint -Michel -de- Cuxa
  • Serrabone

Internationally known as an archaeological site of fossils of Homo erectus is the cave of Arago, 20 km north- west of Perpignan.

Then there are some old towns:

  • Collioure
  • Elne
  • Perpignan
  • Villefranche -de- Conflent

Climate

Observed at Cap Béar between Banyuls and Port -Vendres in 81 meters height

Days per year with

  • Frost: 4 ( mid-January )
  • Thunderstorms: 15
  • Hail: 1
  • Rainfall over 1 mm: 53
  • Snow: 1

(As of 1991)

Arrondissement Cantons of France Provinces of France Tech (river) Treaty of Corbeil (1258) Arrondissement of Perpignan Arrondissement of Prades Romanesque art Villefranche-de-Conflent Guadeloupe
229300
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