Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine
| Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine | |
|---|---|
| Region of France | |
 | |
| Country |
 France |
| Departments | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 57,433 km2 (22,175 sq mi) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 5,548,955 |
| • Density | 97/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine (sometimes abbreviated ACAL or ALCA[1]) is a future Region of France created by the territorial reform of French Regions in 2014 by the merger of Alsace, Lorraine, and Champagne-Ardenne. The new region will take effect on 1 January 2016.[2]
The region will cover an area of more than 57,433 km2 (22,175 sq mi), and with a population of 5,548,955.[3] The region will be operational after the regional elections in December 2015.
Toponymy
The text of the law gives interim names for most of the merged regions, combining the names of their constituent regions separated by hyphens. Permanent names will be proposed by the new regional councils and confirmed by the Conseil d'Etat by 1 July 2016.[4]
The interim name of the new administrative region is a hyphenated placename, composed of the historic regions of Alsace + Champagne + Ardennes + Lorraine.
Geography
The region is bordered by Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, as well as the French regions of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Île-de-France, and Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie.
Topography
The main ranges in the region include the Vosges to the east and the Ardennes to the north.
Hydrology
The region is border on the east by the Rhine which forms most of the border with Germany. Other major rivers which flow through the region include: the Meuse, Moselle, Marne, and Saône.
Lakes in the region include: lac de Gérardmer, lac de Longemer, lac de Retournemer, lac des Corbeaux, Lac de Bouzey, lac de Madine, and lac de Pierre-Percée.
Demographics
The region has a population of 5,548,955 (municipal population on 1 January 2012).[3]
| Cities with over 20,000 inhabitants | Region | 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Strasbourg | Alsace | 274,394 |
| Reims | Champagne-Ardenne | 181,893 |
| Metz | Lorraine | 119,551 |
| Mulhouse | Alsace | 110,755 |
| Nancy | Lorraine | 105,067 |
| Colmar | Alsace | 67,257 |
| Troyes | Champagne-Ardenne | 60,009 |
| Charleville-Mézières | Champagne-Ardenne | 49,759 |
| Châlons-en-Champagne | Champagne-Ardenne | 45,225 |
| Thionville | Lorraine | 41,325 |
| Haguenau | Alsace | 34,406 |
| Épinal | Lorraine | 32,387 |
| Schiltigheim | Alsace | 31,691 |
| Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy | Lorraine | 30,569 |
| Saint-Dizier | Champagne-Ardenne | 25,280 |
| Épernay | Champagne-Ardenne | 23,529 |
| Chaumont | Champagne-Ardenne | 22,678 |
| Montigny-lès-Metz | Lorraine | 21,990 |
| Sarreguemines | Lorraine | 21,605 |
| Forbach | Lorraine | 21,475 |
| Saint-Dié-des-Vosges | Lorraine | 21,053 |
| Saint-Louis | Alsace | 19,990 |
| Lunéville | Lorraine | 19,855 |
See also
- Alsace
- Lorraine (region)
- Alsace-Lorraine
- Champagne (historical province)
- Ardenne
- Champagne-Ardenne
- Regions of France
References
- ↑ Dupuis-Remond, Dupuis-Remond (18 December 2014). "Débat d'orientation budgétaire : la Grande Région ALCA dans tous les esprits - France 3 Lorraine". France 3 (in French). Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ↑ "La carte à 13 régions définitivement adoptée" (in French). Le Monde. Agence France-Presse. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Insee - Populations légales 2012 - Populations légales 2012 des régions". Insee. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ↑ Quel nom pour la nouvelle région ? Vous avez choisi..., Sud-Ouest, 4 December 2014, accessed 2 January 2015