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Ain

Ain is a department in eastern France, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is named after the Ain River, which flows through the area. Created during the French Revolution in 1790, Ain covers a varied landscape that includes the Dombes’ wide network of ponds, the rolling hills of Bugey, and the foothills of the Jura mountains. The departmental capital is Bourg-en-Bresse, and the department is known for its agricultural heritage and industrial towns.

The department lies at the eastern edge of the region, with portions extending into the Jura foothills

Economic activity in Ain combines agriculture, industry, and tourism. The poulet de Bresse, a high-quality chicken,

Administratively, Ain is divided into several cantons and communes and is governed by a prefect seated in

Ain may also refer to the Ain River itself or to other linguistic or geographical uses of

and
toward
the
Swiss
border
in
the
Pays
de
Gex
area.
The
Dombes
region
in
the
south
is
noted
for
its
aquaculture
ponds
and
bird
life.
Notable
natural
areas
include
parts
of
the
Haut-Jura
Regional
Natural
Park
and
Lac
du
Nantua,
a
picturesque
lake
near
the
town
of
Nantua.
is
a
defining
agricultural
product
associated
with
the
Bourg-en-Bresse
region.
The
Bugey
wine
area
produces
wines
under
the
Vin
du
Bugey
designation.
The
town
of
Oyonnax
is
an
important
center
for
plastics
manufacturing
and
related
engineering.
Bourg-en-Bresse.
The
department
has
a
population
in
the
hundreds
of
thousands
and
features
a
mix
of
farmland,
forests,
and
industrial
towns.
the
term
in
different
contexts.