Nord-Pas-de-Calais
A densely populated former region of northern France, historically a crossroads of conflict and industry.
Nord-Pas-de-Calais (; ; West Flemish: Nôord-Nauw van Kales) is a former administrative region of France. Since 1 January 2016, it has been part of the new region Hauts-de-France. It consisted of the departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais. Nord-Pas-de-Calais bordered the English Channel (west), the North Sea (northwest), Belgium (north and east), and Picardy (south).
- existed
- 1956–2016
- population
- 4.1 million (7% of France's total)
- density
- 330.8 people per km²
- area
- 12,414 km²
- administrative_centre
- Lille
- largest_city
- Lille
- major_languages
- French, Picard, West Flemish
Lore & Background
The former administrative region was created in 1956 under the name 'Nord' and maintained that name until 1972, when 'Pas-de-Calais' was added. This remained unchanged until its dissolution in 2016. The region is named after its constituent departments: Nord (literally 'North') and Pas-de-Calais ('Strait of Calais', the French name of the Strait of Dover).
Reader's Guide
With a population density of 330.8 people per km2 on just over 12,414 km2, it was a densely populated region inhabited by 4.1 million people, 7% of France's total population, making it the fourth most populous region in the country; 83% of the population lived in urban communities. Its administrative centre and largest city was Lille. The second largest city is Calais, which served as a major continental economic/transportation hub with Dover of Great Britain 42 km away. Other major towns included Valenciennes, Lens, Douai, Béthune, Dunkirk, Maubeuge, Boulogne, Arras, Cambrai, and Saint-Omer.
Did You Know?
- The region was created in 1956 under the name 'Nord' and was renamed 'Nord-Pas-de-Calais' in 1972.
- Nord-Pas-de-Calais was the fourth most populous region in France, with 4.1 million people.
- The region is the closest continental European connection to the island of Great Britain.
- During the 19th century, the region became one of the leading industrial regions of France, second only to Alsace-Lorraine.
More in European Regions 1-24
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