Loiret

Loiret
Department

Prefecture building of the Loiret department, in Orléans

Flag
Coat of arms

Location of Loiret in France
Coordinates: 47°55′N 02°10′E / 47.917°N 2.167°ECoordinates: 47°55′N 02°10′E / 47.917°N 2.167°E
Country France
Region Centre
Prefecture Orléans
Subprefectures Montargis
Pithiviers
Government
 • President of the General Council Eric Doligé (UMP)
Area1
 • Total 6,775 km2 (2,616 sq mi)
Population (2007)
 • Total 647,733
 • Rank 35th
 • Density 96/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Department number 45
Arrondissements 3
Cantons 41
Communes 334
^1 French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries, and lakes, ponds, and glaciers larger than 1 km2

Loiret (French pronunciation: ​[lwaʁɛ]) is a department in north-central France.

The department is named after the river Loiret, a tributary of the Loire. The Loiret is located wholly within the department.

History

Loiret is one of the original 83 departments that was created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from the former province of Orléanais.

Geography

Loiret is part of the current region of Centre and is surrounded by the departments of Essonne, Seine-et-Marne, Yonne, Nièvre, Cher, Loir-et-Cher, and Eure-et-Loir.

Tourism

Orléans is a popular tourist destination, with its cathedral of Ste. Croix.

See also

External links