Loire-Atlantique (formerly Loire-Inférieure) is a
département on the west coast of France named after the Loire River and the Atlantic Ocean.
History
Loire-Inférieure was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was renamed in 1957. It was originally part of Brittany, and contains what many people consider to be Brittany's capital, Nantes. There is a popular campaign to have it reintegrated in Brittany.
Geography
Loire-Atlantique is part of the current region of Pays-de-la-Loire (return to Brittany is claimed by a part of the population) and is surrounded by the departments of Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine, Maine-et-Loire, and Vendée, with the Atlantic on the west.
Culture
The Breton language is an important issue, with many supporting bilingual education.
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