Loir-et-Cher

Infobox_Department_of_France
department=Loir-et-Cher|number=41
region=Centre
prefecture=Blois
subprefectures=Romorantin-Lanthenay
Vendôme
population=314,968|pop_date=1999|pop_rank=69th|density=50
area=6343|area_scale=9
arrond=3|cantons=30|communes=291
president=Maurice Leroy|pres_party=UDF
img_coa=blason41.png

Loir-et-Cher is a department in north-central France named after the rivers Loir and Cher.

History

Loir-et-Cher is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Orléanais and Touraine.

Geography

Loir-et-Cher is part of the current region of Centre (Val de Loire) and is surrounded by the departments of Eure-et-Loir, Loiret, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, and Sarthe.

Its main rivers are the Loire, on which its prefecture (capital) Blois is situated, the Loir and the Cher.

Demographics

The inhabitants of the department are called "Loir-et-Chériens".

Tourism

Loir-et-Cher has a number of historic castles, including the following:
*Château de Blois
*Château de Chambord
*Château de Chaumont
*Château de Cheverny

ee also

*Cantons of the Loir-et-Cher department
*Communes of the Loir-et-Cher department
*Arrondissements of the Loir-et-Cher department

External links

* [http://www.loir-et-cher.pref.gouv.fr/ Prefecture website]
* [http://www.cg41.fr/ General Council website]
* ODP|Regional/Europe/France/Regions/Centre/Loir-et-Cher|Loir-et-Cher