Calvados

[kal-vuh-dohs, -dos, kal-vuh-dohs, -dos; for 1 also Fr. kal-va-daws]

Calvados, department (1990 pop. 621,300), in Normandy, N France, on the English Channel. Caen is the capital.

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Licensed from Columbia University Press

The French department of Calvados forms part of the region of Basse-Normandie in Normandy. It takes its name from a cluster of rocks off the coast.

History

Calvados is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from a part of the former province of Normandy. The name “Orne inférieure" was originally proposed for the department but it was ultimately decided to call the area Calvados.

Its etymology is most likely derived from the Salvador, a ship from the Spanish Armada that sank by the rocks near Arromanches-les-bains in 1588. Others insist, however, that the name Calvados was derived from calva dorsa, meaning bare backs, in reference to two sparsely vegetated rocks off its shore.

During World War II, Allied forces landed on the beaches of the Bay of the Seine (Baie de Seine) in what became known as the Battle of Normandy, on June 6, 1944.

Geography

Calvados belongs to the region of Basse Normandie and is surrounded by the departments of Seine-Maritime, Eure, Orne, and Manche. On the north is la Baie de Seine, part of the English Channel. On the east, the Seine River forms the boundary with Seine-Maritime. Calvados includes the Bessin area, the Pays d'Auge, and the area known as the "Suisse normande" ("Norman Switzerland").

Calvados' most notable places include: Deauville and the formerly elegant 19th-century casino resorts of the coast.

Economy

Agriculture dominates the economy of Calvados. The area is known for producing butter, cheese, cider, and the apple-based spirit that shares its name (see Calvados (spirit)).

Demography

The inhabitants of Calvados are called "Calvadosiens" (male) and "Calvadosiennes" (female). In 1999, Calvados counted 648 299 inhabitants; making it the 30th most populated French department.

Age distribution in Calvados :

More than 75 years old : 7.2 % 60 - 74 years old : 13.16 % 40 - 59 years old : 25.52 % 20 - 39 years old : 28.53 % 0 - 19 years old : 25.6 %

Culture

The Bayeux Tapestry is on display in Bayeux and makes the city one of the most-visited tourist destinations in Normandy.

Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer, Calvados, commemorates the D-Day landing of the Canadian liberation forces at Juno Beach during World War II in 1944.

The cult of Saint Thérèse de Lisieux brings large numbers of people on pilgrimage to Lisieux, where she lived in a Carmelite convent.

Each year, Deauville hosts the Festival of the American Movie, and the beach resort of Cabourg hosts the Festival of the Romantic Movie (September).

Also yearly, the city of Caen celebrates the festival of the electronical cultures called "Nordik Impakt".

The local dialect of Norman language is known as Augeron. It is spoken by a minority of the population.

Tourism

The department of Calvados has several areas that are visited by tourists: The Bessin, the Plaine of Caen, the Bocage Virois, the Côte de Nacre, the Côte Fleurie and the Pays d'Auge.

Calvados, thanks to the port of Ouistreham, is an interesting entrance to the continent for the Britains citizens. There are two airports : Caen-Carpiquet and Deauville Saint Gatien.

Several beaches of Calvados are popular for water sports, including Cabourg and Merville Franceville.

Sport

Aquatic sports are often played on the coasts and beaches, for example, kite surfing and beach volleyball
For the season 2007/2008, the soccer team of Caen will play in the Ligue 1 French championship (Elite)