Centre

I

Introduction

Centre, administrative region of northern-central France. An inland region, it is surrounded by the regions of Upper Normandy to the north, Île-de-France to the north-east, Burgundy to the east, Auvergne to the south-east, with Limousin to the south, Poitou-Charentes to the south-west, Pays de la Loire to the west, and Lower Normandy to the north-west. Centre is divided into six departments: Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, and Eure-et-Loire. The area of the region is 39,151 sq km (15,112 sq mi).

II

Physical Geography

The region lies within the Paris basin. The principal river of the region is the Loire, which flows east to west, with other important rivers being the Indre, Cher, and Sauldre. The low plain of the Sologne lies in the centre of the region, south of the Loire. To the north-west of the region are the Perche Ranges, while the northern verges of the Massif Central lie in the south.

III

Population

Centre is sparsely populated and primarily rural, with the exception of the more northerly departments, which benefit from their proximity to Paris. The region has 2,515,000 inhabitants (2007 estimate) and the average population density is 63 people per sq km (163 per sq mi). The capital is Orléans (population, 2005 estimate, 113,500) and other main cities and towns include Tours (2005 estimate, 136,600);. Bourges (2005 estimate, 71,000); Châteauroux (2005 estimate, 48,200); Blois (2005 estimate, 48,200); and Chartres (2005 estimate, 39,800).

Centre possesses a rich heritage of Gothic architecture. Chartres Cathedral, begun in the late 12th century, is one of the most famous religious monuments in the world and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Étienne (12th-13th century), at Bourges, features a wealth of medieval stained-glass windows and impressive sculptures and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1992. The Loire Valley World Heritage Site, designated by UNESCO in 2000, extends from Sully-sur-Loire (around 38 km (24 mi) south-east of Orléans) to Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Pays de la Loire, and encompasses numerous châteaux and towns in the region, including Blois, Chambord, Chinon, Orléans, and Tours. Institutions of higher education in Centre include the University of Tours (1970) and the University of Orléans (1971).

IV

Economy

The main crops are grains (wheat, barley, and corn) and grapes. Sugar beet, rape, and sunflowers are also cultivated. The industrial sector is developing, having benefited from the decentralization of Parisian industries. Much of the manufacturing in Centre relates to the vehicle industry, with large tyre, parts, and plastics factories. Orléans is a key transport and commercial centre, with factories producing chemicals, processed foods, textiles, and machinery. The region is a major supplier of nuclear energy, with reactors at Dampierre-en-Burly, Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux, and Avoine-Chinon. Tourism is an important factor in the economy; there are numerous picturesque chateaux along the Loire Valley.