CharenteMaritime

Charente-Maritime is a department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France. It lies on the Atlantic coast and includes offshore and near-coastal islands, notably Île de Ré and Île d'Oléron. The department was created in 1790 during the French Revolution from parts of the old provinces of Saintonge and Aunis.

The prefecture is La Rochelle, which serves as the administrative capital. Charente-Maritime is divided into four arrondissements: La Rochelle, Rochefort, Saintes, and Jonzac.

Geography and economy: The coastline includes beaches, bays, and estuaries formed by the Charente and Seudre rivers. The Marennes-Oléron basin is renowned for oyster farming. The economy also relies on fishing, agriculture, and a robust tourism sector driven by coastal towns and historic sites.

Notable towns and landmarks: La Rochelle is known for its historic port and medieval towers. Royan developed as a major seaside resort in the 20th century and features notable modernist architecture. Saintes preserves Roman monuments, and Rochefort has a naval heritage with museums and shipyards. Île de Ré and Île d'Oléron are popular island destinations linked to the mainland by bridges.

Demographics and governance: The department has a population in the hundreds of thousands and is known for its maritime heritage, seafood industries, and tourist economy within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.