Ax-les-Thermes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Commune of Ax-les-Thermes |
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| Location | |
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Midi-Pyrénées |
| Department | Ariège |
| Arrondissement | Foix |
| Canton | Ax-les-Thermes |
| Intercommunality | Vallées d'Ax |
| Mayor | Alain Chenebeau (2001-2008) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 697 m–2,411 m (avg. 720 m) |
| Land area¹ | 30.26 km² |
| Population² (1999) |
1,441 |
| - Density | 47/km² (1999) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 09032/ 09110 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
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Ax-les-Thermes is a commune in the Ariège department in southwestern France. It lies at the confluence of the Ariège River with three tributaries, 26 miles SSE of Foix by rail.
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[edit] Spa
Ax (from Latin Aquae - water; French Thermes - hot springs), situated at a height of 2300 ft., is well known for its warm sulphur springs (77°–172° F.), of which there are about sixty. The waters, which were used by the Romans, are claimed to treat rheumatism, skin diseases and other maladies. The springs were developed in the mediaeval period under the orders of Saint Louis to treat soldiers returning from the Crusades afflicted with leprosy. From the 19th century, a spa tourism industry grew up.
[edit] Miscellaneous
The town now benefits from spa tourism, skiing and the town casino. Its proximity to Andorra enables cross-border shopping.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
[edit] External links
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