- Vaucluse
Infobox_Department_of_France
department=Vaucluse|number=84
region=Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
prefecture=Avignon
subprefectures=AptCarpentras
population=499,685|pop_date=1999|pop_rank=50th|density=140
area=3567|area_scale=9
arrond=3|cantons=24|communes=151
president=Claude Haut |pres_party=
img_coa=blason_vaucluse.gif
The Vaucluse (Provençal Occitan : "Vauclusa" in classical norm or "Vau-Cluso" in Mistralian norm) is a department in the southeast ofFrance .History
Vaucluse was created on
8 December 1793 out of parts of the departments ofBouches-du-Rhône ,Drôme , and Basses-Alpes (later renamedAlpes-de-Haute-Provence ).Geography
Vaucluse is bordered by the Rhône to the west and the River
Durance to the south. Mountains occupy a significant proportion of the eastern half of the department, withMont Ventoux (1,912 m), also known as "the Giant of Provence", dominating the landscape. Other important mountain ranges include theDentelles de Montmirail , theMonts de Vaucluse , and theLuberon . Fruit and vegetables are cultivated in great quantities in the lower-lying parts of the department, on one of the most fertile plains in southern France. The Vaucluse département has a rather large exclave within theDrôme department, the canton ofValréas (Enclave des Papes ).Important urban centres include
Avignon , Orange,Carpentras ,Cavaillon , and Apt.Demographics
* Urban population: 416,301 (83%)
* Rural population: 83,384 (17%)ee also
*Canton of
Valréas /(Enclave des Papes )
*Cantons of the Vaucluse department
*Communes of the Vaucluse department
*Arrondissements of the Vaucluse department External links
*
* [http://www.cg84.fr/ Website of the General Council]
* [http://www.vaucluse.pref.gouv.fr/ Prefecture website]
* [http://www.images-en-vaucluse.fr/ Discover the Vaucluse with pictures...]
* [http://www.france-voyage.com/travel-guide/vaucluse.htm Vaucluse Tourism Guide]
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