Occitanie

Occitanie is an administrative region of southern France. It extends from the Pyrenees along the Spanish border to the Mediterranean coast and includes parts of the Massif Central. Covering about 72,000 square kilometres, the region features a wide range of landscapes, from mountains and valleys to coastal towns. Major cities include Toulouse, Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan, and Carcassonne.

Occitanie was created in 2016 by the merger of the former regions Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées. The regional capital (prefecture) is Toulouse. The region comprises 13 departments: Ariège, Aude, Aveyron, Gard, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Hérault, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot, Lozère, Pyrénées-Orientales, Tarn, and Tarn-et-Garonne.

Economy is diversified, with aerospace and space industry centered in Toulouse, as well as agriculture, wine production, and tourism. The region contains notable historical and natural sites, such as the medieval citadel of Carcassonne, Roman monuments in Nîmes, the Pont du Gard, and the Canal du Midi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Pyrenees offer ski resorts and mountain recreation, while the Mediterranean coast hosts beaches and ports.

Historically, the Occitan language and culture circulated across much of the area. The name Occitanie reflects this Occitan heritage, although French is the predominant language today. The region hosts cultural institutions and festivals that preserve Occitan traditions and regional identities.