Ain

Ain is also a figure from mythology; see Ain (mythology).
Ain
Missing image
Blason_france_Ain_petit.jpg
Coat of Arms of Ain


Details
Information
Number01
RegionRhône-Alpes
PrefectureBourg-en-Bresse
SubprefecturesBelley
Gex
Nantua
Population


 - Total (1999)
 - Density

Ranked 48th


515,270
89 /km²

Area5,762 km²
Arrondissements4
Cantons43
Communes419
President of the
general council
Charles de la Verpillière
Location
Missing image
Carte_France_Département_01.png
Location of Ain in France

Ain is a département named after the Ain River on the eastern edge of France bordering Switzerland.

Contents

History

The département was one of the 83 départements created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from four former provinces: Bresse, Bugey, Dombres, and Gex, and part of a fifth: Franc-Lyonnais. The area was originally part of the ancient kingdom of Burgundy, before it was ceded to France by the dukes of Savoy in 1601.

From 1798 to 1814, Gex was separated and became part of the département of Léman. Six communes of the southwest were separated from Ain in 1967 and became part of the Urban Community of Lyon.

Geography

The département is cut in half along a north-south line by the Ain River. The west consists of plains and low plateaus. The east is more mountainous, consisting of the southern extension of the Jura mountains. The highest elevation in the département (and in the Jura mountains) is the Crêt de la Neige (1720 m).

Ain is surrounded by the French départements of Jura, Saône-et-Loire, Rhône, Isère, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie. On the east, it borders the Swiss cantons of Genève and Vaud.

The following are the principal towns:

In addition to the Ain, the following rivers flow through the département:

Demographics

The département has no large city, and the population is distributed over a network of smaller towns. The population decreased slightly in the second half of the 19th century because of urbanization, and even more markedly during World War I. It began to increase again after World War II, partly due to the expansion of the suburbs of Lyon and Geneva. From 1968 to 1999, the population increased from 339,262 to 515,270.

Tourism

One of the major tourist attractions is Voltaire's estate at Ferney-Voltaire.

The département also offers great chances to explore nature, on foot, on a bicycle, or on horseback. Its rivers and lakes provide many opportunities for water sports of all kinds.

The northeast of the département, the Pays de Gex has numerous ski resorts and panoramic views of the Alps, including the Mont Blanc.

The Parc Naturel Régional du Haut Jura is a natural reserve with high mountain passes.

External links

Départements of France Flag of France
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 2A | 2B | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95
Les DOM-TOM: 971 | 972 | 973 | 974 | 975 | 976 | 986 | 987 | 988 | French Southern Territories | Îles Éparses
Administrative divisions of France: régions - départements - arrondissements - cantons - communes



de:Ain (Département) fr:Ain it:Ain nl:Ain (departement) sv:Ain zh:安省

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