Vaucluse

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The Vaucluse (Provençal Occitan: Vauclusa in classical norm or Vau-Cluso in Mistralian norm) is a department in the southeast of France.

History

Vaucluse was created on 8 December 1793 out of parts of the departments of Bouches-du-Rhône, Drôme, and Basses-Alpes (later renamed Alpes-de-Haute-Provence).

Geography

Vaucluse is bordered by the Rhône to the west and the River Durance to the south. Mountains occupy a significant proportion of the eastern half of the department, with Mont Ventoux (1,912 m), also known as "the Giant of Provence", dominating the landscape. Other important mountain ranges include the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Monts de Vaucluse, and the Luberon. Fruit and vegetables are cultivated in great quantities in the lower-lying parts of the department, on one of the most fertile plains in southern France. The Vaucluse département has a rather large exclave within the Drôme department, the canton of Valréas (Enclave des Papes).

Important urban centres include Avignon, Orange, Carpentras, Cavaillon, and Apt.

Demographics

• Urban population: 416,301 (83%)
• Rural population: 83,384 (17%)

See also

• Canton of Valréas/(Enclave des Papes)
• Cantons of the Vaucluse department
• Communes of the Vaucluse department
• Arrondissements of the Vaucluse department

External links

• Website of the General Council
• Prefecture website
• Discover the Vaucluse with pictures...
• Vaucluse Tourism Guide
• Vaucluse chambres d'hôtes

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Last updated on Tuesday March 11, 2008 at 01:38:59 PDT (GMT -0700)
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