Poitou facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Poitou
Coat of arms
Country	France
Area
• Total	19,709 km2 (7,610 sq mi)
Population  (2006 estimate) Residents known as Poitevins
• Total	1,375,356
Time zone	CET

Poitou was a historic region in west-central France. Its main city was Poitiers. People from Poitou are called Poitevins.

Where is Poitou?

Poitou is located in the western part of France. It was once a very important area. Today, parts of Poitou are included in the modern Poitou-Charentes region of France.

The Poitevin Marsh

There is a special marshland area called the Poitevin Marsh. It is on the west coast of France. This marsh is near the Gulf of Poitou. It is located just north of the city of La Rochelle and west of Niort. A marsh is a type of wetland, like a swamp, with lots of water and grassy plants.

Poitou's Connection to Acadians

Many people from Poitou moved to North America long ago. They settled in a place called Nova Scotia starting in 1604. Later, some also moved to New Brunswick. These people became known as the Acadians.

Acadian Migration

In 1755, the British government forced many Acadians to leave their homes. This event is known as the deportation of the Acadians. After this, some Acadians found safety in Poitou, their original homeland. Others moved to Québec in Canada.

A large group of these Acadians later moved again. In 1785 and the years that followed, they traveled to Louisiana in the United States. There, they became known as Cajuns. So, Poitou has a strong historical link to many people in Canada and the United States.

Related pages

• Poitou-Charentes for the present-day Region of France including Poitiers.

See also

In Spanish: Poitou para niños