Grand Est facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grand Est
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| Country |  France |
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| Prefecture | Strasbourg | |
| Departments | ||
| Government | ||
| • Body | Regional council of Grand Est | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 57,433 km2 (22,175 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 5th | |
| Population
(2017)
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| • Total | 5,549,586 | |
| • Density | 96.6271/km2 (250.2631/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| ISO 3166 code | FR-GES | |
| GDP (2013) | Ranked | |
| Total | €150.3 billion (US$207.0 bn) | |
| Per capita | €27,085 (US$37,312) | |
| NUTS Region | FRF | |
| Official languages | French, | |
| Recognised languages | Alemannic German and Luxembourgish | |
Grand Est is a large region in northeastern France. Its name means "Great East." It was created on January 1, 2016. Before that, it was three separate regions: Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine. This change happened because of a new French law in 2014.
The region is very big, covering about 57,433 square kilometers. This makes it the 5th largest region in France. It has two mountain ranges, the Vosges and the Ardennes. It also has three important rivers: the Seine, Meuse, and Rhine. Grand Est shares borders with several countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland. The main city and capital of Grand Est is Strasbourg.
Contents
History of Grand Est
The area of Grand Est has a long and interesting history. In the 8th century, much of this region was known as "Eastern" France. It was part of a larger territory called Austrasia.
Important Cities and Events
The city of Reims played a special role in French history. Many kings of France were crowned there. During the Middle Ages, the Champagne fairs were very important. These were big markets that helped the economy of Europe.
Alsace and Lorraine, two parts of Grand Est, were strongly influenced by the Holy Roman Empire for many centuries. This was during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Culture and Traditions
Grand Est is a place where different cultures meet. It is located between the Latin and Germanic areas. This mix is seen in the many languages spoken here, like Alsatian, Champenois, and Lorraine Franconian.
The region has many unique traditions. People celebrate Saint Nicholas Day, and there are famous Christmas markets. You can also find traditions involving the Easter hare, especially in Alsace and Lorraine. For historical reasons, Alsace-Moselle follows some local laws that are different from the rest of France.
Economy and Industry
Grand Est has a long history of industry. It is also important for agriculture (growing crops and raising animals). Tourism is another big part of its economy. Visitors come to enjoy the art, food, and beautiful sights. Because of its strong industry, farming, and tourism, Grand Est has one of the highest levels of economic production in France.
Images for kids
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Protesters in Strasbourg holding a banner saying "No to merger" in 2014.
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West portal of St Theobald's Church of Thann, a beautiful example of late 14th-century art.
See also
In Spanish: Gran Este para niños
