Loire-Atlantique


Contributors to Wikimedia projects

Article Images

Loire-Atlantique is a department in France. It is in the Pays de la Loire region. Its capital is Nantes, which is also the region's capital. The department gets its name from the river which goes through it (la Loire), and because it is next to the Atlantic Ocean.

Loire-Atlantique

Liger-Atlantel  (Breton)

Prefecture building in Nantes

Prefecture building in Nantes

Flag of Loire-Atlantique

Flag

Coat of arms of Loire-Atlantique

Coat of arms

Location of Loire-Atlantique in France

Location of Loire-Atlantique in France

Coordinates: 47°20′N 1°40′W / 47.333°N 1.667°W
CountryFrance
RegionPays de la Loire
PrefectureNantes
SubprefecturesChâteaubriant
Saint-Nazaire
Government
 • President of the Departmental CouncilMichel Menard[1] (PS)
Area
 • Total6,881 km2 (2,657 sq mi)
Population

 (Jan. 2019)[2]

 • Total1,429,272
 • Rank9th
 • Density210/km2 (540/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Department number44
Arrondissements3
Cantons31
Communes207
^1 French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries, and lakes, ponds, and glaciers larger than 1 km2

Loire Atlantique is one of the first 83 departments of France created in 1790. It used to be called Loire-Inférieure. It got its new name in 1957.

The department was part of Brittany until 1941 when the Vichy Governement separated it. Many people still think it is Brittany's capital. Some want it to be part of Brittany again.

Loire-Atlantique is next to 4 departements:

West of it is the Atlantic Ocean.

  Media related to Loire-Atlantique at Wikimedia Commons