Grand Est Explained

Official Name:Grand Est
Native Name Lang:fr
Settlement Type:Region
Image Blank Emblem:Grand_Est_Logo_vectoriel.svg
Blank Emblem Type:Brandmark
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: France
Seat Type:Prefecture
Seat:Strasbourg
Parts Type:Departments
Parts Style:list
Parts:10
P1:Ardennes (08)
P2:Aube (10)
P3:Marne (51)
P4:Haute-Marne (52)
P5:Meurthe-et-Moselle (54)
P6:Meuse (55)
P7:Moselle (57)
P8:Bas-Rhin (67)
P9:Haut-Rhin (68)
P10:Vosges (88)
Governing Body:Regional Council of Grand Est
Leader Party:DVD
Leader Title:President of the Regional Council
Leader Name:Franck Leroy
Area Total Km2:57433
Area Rank:5th
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+01:00
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+02:00
Demographics Type1:GDP
Demographics1 Footnotes:[1]
Demographics1 Title1:Total
Demographics1 Info1:€166.919 billion
Demographics1 Title2:Per capita
Demographics1 Info2:€30,100
Blank Name Sec2:NUTS Region
Blank Info Sec2:FRF
Iso Code:FR-GES
Blank1 Name Sec2:Official languages
Blank1 Info Sec2:French,
Blank2 Name Sec2:Recognised languages
Blank2 Info Sec2:Alemannic German and Moselle Franconian

Grand Est[2] (in French ɡʁɑ̃t‿ɛst/;[3] English: "Great East") is an administrative region in northeastern France. It superseded three former administrative regions, Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine, on 1 January 2016 under the provisional name of Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine (in French pronounced as /alzas ʃɑ̃paɲ aʁdɛn lɔʁɛn/; ACAL or, less commonly, ALCALIA),[4] as a result of territorial reform which had been passed by the French Parliament in 2014.[5]

The region sits astride three water basins (Seine, Meuse and Rhine), spanning an area of, the fifth largest in France; it includes two mountain ranges (Vosges and Ardennes). It shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. As of 2021, it had a population of 5,561,287 inhabitants. The prefecture and largest city is Strasbourg.

The East of France has a rich and diverse culture, being situated at a crossroads between the Gallic-Latin and Germanic worlds. This history is reflected in the variety of languages spoken there (Alsatian, Champenois, Lorrain and Lorraine Franconian). Most of today's Grand Est region was considered "Eastern" as early as the 8th century, when it constituted the southern part of the Francian territory of Austrasia. The city of Reims (in Champagne), where Frankish king Clovis I had been baptized in 496 AD, would later play a prominent ceremonial role in French monarchical history as the traditional site of the coronation of the kings of France. The Champagne fairs played a significant role in the economy of medieval Europe as well. Alsace and Lorraine thrived in the sphere of influence of the Holy Roman Empire for most of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and subject to competing claims by France and Germany over the centuries.

The region has distinctive traditions such as the celebration of Saint Nicholas Day, Christmas markets, or traditions involving the Easter hare in Alsace and Lorraine. Alsace-Moselle are furthermore subject to local law for historical reasons. With a long industrial history and strong agriculture and tourism (arts, gastronomy, sightseeing), the East of France is one of the top economic producing regions in the country.

Toponymy

Provisional name

The provisional name of the region was Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine, formed by combining the names of the three former regions—Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine—in alphabetical order with hyphens. The formula for the provisional name of the region was established by the territorial reform law and applied to all but one of the provisional names for new regions.[6] The ACAL regional council, which was elected in December 2015, was given the task of choosing a name for the region and submitting it to the —France's highest authority for administrative law—by 1 July 2016 for approval.[7] The provisional name of the region was retired on 30 September 2016, when the new name of the region, Grand Est, took effect.

In Alsace and in Lorraine, the new region has frequently been called ALCA, for Alsace-Lorraine-Champagne-Ardennes, on the internet.[8]

Like the name Région Hauts-de-France (and, until 2015, the name Région Centre), the name Région Grand Est contains no reference whatsoever to the area's history or identity, but merely describes its geographical location within metropolitan France.

Permanent name

In a poll conducted in November 2014 by France 3 in Champagne-Ardenne, Grand Est (29.16%) and Austrasie (22.65%) were the top two names among 25 candidates and 4,701 votes.[9] Grand Est also topped a poll the following month conducted by L'Est Républicain, receiving 42% of 3,324 votes.[10]

The names which received a moderate amount of discussion were:

Geography

Grand Est covers of land and is the sixth-largest of the regions of France. Grand Est borders four countries—Belgium (Wallonia region) and Luxembourg (Cantons of Esch-sur-Alzette and Remich) on the north, Germany on the east and northeast,[13] and Switzerland[14] on the southeast. It is the only French region to border more than two countries, or more countries than French regions. Its neighbors within France are Bourgogne-Franche-Comté on the south, Île-de-France on the west, and Hauts-de-France on the northwest.

Departments

Grand Est contains ten departments: Ardennes, Aube, Bas-Rhin, Marne, Haute-Marne, Haut-Rhin, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Vosges.

Topography

The main ranges in the region include the Vosges to the east and the Ardennes to the north.

Hydrology

The region is bordered on the east by the Rhine, which forms about half 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, étang du Stock and lac de Pierre-Percée.

Climate

Grand Est climate depends on the proximity of the sea. In Champagne and Western Lorraine, the climate is oceanic (Köppen : Cfb), with cool to mild winters and warm summers. But Ardennes, Moselle and Alsace climates are borderline humid continental (Köppen : Dfb) - oceanic (Köppen : Cfb), characterized by cold winters with frequent days below the freezing point, and hot summers, with many days with temperatures up to 32 °C.

History

See also: Alsace, Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne.

Formation

Grand Est is the result of territorial reform legislation passed in 2014 by the French Parliament to reduce the number of regions in Metropolitan France—the part of France in continental Europe—from 22 to 13.[15] Grand Est is the merger of three regions: Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine.

Opposition

See also: Alsace independence movement. The merger has been, and still is, strongly opposed by some groups in Alsace, and a large majority of Alsatians.[16] [17] The territorial reform law allows new regions to choose the seat of the regional councils, but specifically made Strasbourg the seat of the Grand Est regional council—a move to appease the region's politicians.[18]

The creation of the new region was unpopular among Alsatians. In response, the Government created the European Collectivity of Alsace merging the departments of Bas Rhin and Haut Rhin, to take effect in 2021.

Demographics

The region has an official population of 5,562,651 (municipal population on 1 January 2021).[19]

Cities with over 20,000 inhabitantsFormer region2021
StrasbourgAlsace291,313
ReimsChampagne-Ardenne179,380
MetzLorraine120,874
MulhouseAlsace106,341
NancyLorraine104,260
ColmarAlsace67,730
TroyesChampagne-Ardenne62,782
Charleville-MézièresChampagne-Ardenne46,398
Châlons-en-ChampagneChampagne-Ardenne43,877
ThionvilleLorraine42,163
HaguenauAlsace35,715
SchiltigheimAlsace34,129
ÉpinalLorraine31,832
Vandœuvre-lès-NancyLorraine29,537
Illkirch-GraffenstadenAlsace27,118
Saint-DizierChampagne-Ardenne23,068
Saint-LouisAlsace22,698
ÉpernayChampagne-Ardenne22,001
Montigny-lès-MetzLorraine21,854
ChaumontChampagne-Ardenne21,699
ForbachLorraine21,130
SarregueminesLorraine20,624
LingolsheimAlsace20,266
2021 Rank Department Legal Population in 2021 Area (km²) Aroen (Pop./km²) INSEE Dept. No.
1 align=left 67
2 align=left 57
3 align=left 68
4 align=left 54
5 align=left 51
6 align=left 88
7 align=left 10
8 align=left 08
9 align=left 55
10 align=left 52

Government

Regional council

The regional council has limited administrative authority, mostly concerning the promotion of the region's economy and financing educational and cultural activities. The regional council has no legislative authority. The seat of the regional council will be Strasbourg. The regional council, elected in December 2015, is controlled by The Republicans.[20] The elected inaugural president of the Grand Est Regional Council is Philippe Richert, who was previously the President of the Alsace Regional Council. The current president is Jean Rottner.

Economy

The gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 159.9 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 6.7% of French economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 25,400 euros or 84% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 101% of the EU average.[21]

Transport and infrastructure

Rail transport

The region has five tram networks:

Airports

The region has four airports:

Motorways

The region has eighteen motorways:

The region has twelve cities that have ring roads:

Heritage

Grand Est is rich with architectural monuments from the Roman Empire to the early 21st century.

Gothic architecture is particularly conspicuous, with many famous cathedrals, basilicas and churches, such as Reims Cathedral, Strasbourg Cathedral, Metz Cathedral, Troyes Cathedral, Châlons Cathedral, Toul Cathedral, the Basilica of L'Épine, the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port, the, the Basilica of St. Urbain in Troyes, Thann Church, Niederhaslach Church, Notre-Dame-en-Vaux, St. George's Church, Sélestat and St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Wissembourg.

See also

External links

48.7544°N 5.8517°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EU regions by GDP, Eurostat. 18 September 2023.
  2. Web site: "Grand Est": les élus valident le nom de région . 29 April 2016 . Le Figaro . 29 April 2016 . french.
  3. Swiss German; Alemannic; Alsatian: Grossa Oschta
    Moselle Franconian/Luxembourgish; Letzeburgesch: Grouss Osten;Rhine Franconian
  4. Groß Oschte; German: Großer Osten pronounced as /de/;
  5. Web site: Dupuis-Remond . Dupuis-Remond . 18 December 2014 . Débat d'orientation budgétaire : la Grande Région ALCA dans tous les esprits – France 3 Lorraine . 13 January 2015 . . French.
  6. Web site: 17 December 2014 . La carte à 13 régions définitivement adoptée . 13 January 2015 . . French . Agence France-Presse.
  7. n° 2015–29. 16 janvier 2015 . relative à la délimitation des régions, aux élections régionales et départementales et modifiant le calendrier électoral . 2(I) . French . http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do;jsessionid=9FECBA9D9314D1D2C093CF793C886ED5.tpdila21v_1?idSectionTA=JORFSCTA000030109623&cidTexte=JORFTEXT000030109622&dateTexte=29990101.
  8. http://www.sudouest.fr/2014/12/04/quel-nom-pour-la-nouvelle-region-vous-avez-choisi-1755244-6058.php Quel nom pour la nouvelle région ? Vous avez choisi...
  9. News: 7 December 2014 . Cette région que l'Alsace ne veut pas baptiser . French . Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace . 25 August 2015.
  10. News: 24 November 2014 . Votez pour le nom de la future grande région Champagne-Ardenne – Lorraine – Alsace . French . France 3 Champagne-Ardenne . France Télévisions . 25 August 2015.
  11. News: 2 December 2014 . Choisissez un nom pour la Grande Région . French . L'Est Républicain . 25 August 2015.
  12. News: Bach . Christian . 21 June 2015 . Région Alsace-Lorraine-Champagne-Ardenne : le nom de la chose... . French . Derniers nouvelles d'Alsace . 25 August 2015.
  13. News: Baldit . Etienne . 21 July 2015 . Philippot refuse le nom 'Grand Est Europe' pour sa région : "Et pourquoi pas 'Roumanie' ?" . French . Europe 1 . 25 August 2015.
  14. [Baden-Württemberg]
  15. Cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Jura and Solothurn
  16. News: 17 December 2014 . La carte à 13 régions définitivement adoptée . French . . 27 October 2015.
  17. News: 21 February 2018 . Le malaise Alsacien ne décroit pas . French . . 21 February 2018.
  18. News: 30 September 2017 . Grand Est: Philippe Richert, le "fossoyeur" de l'Alsace, démissionne . French . . 27 November 2017.
  19. News: 20 November 2014 . Strasbourg sera la capitale de la future région Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine . French . . 25 August 2015 . [Members of the National Assembly] decided Thursday, 20 November to designate in advance Strasbourg as the capital of the future region Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine in a gesture to appease the Alsatian politicians. (From French: Les députés ont décidé jeudi 20 novembre de désigner par avance Strasbourg comme capitale de la future grande région Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine dans un geste d'apaisement vis-à-vis des élus alsaciens.).
  20. Web site: POPULATIONS LÉGALES 2021 Grand Est . 16 January 2024 . insee.fr.
  21. Web site: Alsace – Champagne-Ardenne – Lorraine: Nouveau Conseil Régional . 14 December 2015 . Élections régionales et des assemblées de Corse, Guyane et Martinique 2015 . Ministre de l’Intérieur.
  22. Web site: Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018 . Eurostat.