❀ vina@bmtv ❀

China is divided into 22 sheng (provinces), five zizhiqu (autonomous regions), and four shih (municipalities under direct control of the central government). It also has two special autonomous regions (Hong Kong and Macau) and claims sovereignty over a 23rd province (Taiwan). These three are listed as separate countries.

An easy way to remember China and the “shape” of her map, the Mayor of Liaoning explained to me, is to imagine China in the shape of a “hen”. A fat hen.

So, whereas Italy is the shape of a “boot”, China is the shape of a “hen”, and Liaoning is situated at the “neck of the hen”.

It is a great way to visualize China and the location of her various provinces as you can ask jokingly, “what part of the ‘hen’ are you?”. I visited China and had to cover almost eight cities, literally north, west, east and south, in less than 10 days of gruelling business inspection and orientation programme with the various government municipality heads.

We had to travel from:

–> HONG KONG to BEIJING
–> BEIJING to LIAONING
–> LIAONING to CHIFENG, INNER MONGOLIA
–> CHIFENG, INNER MONGOLIA to BEIJING
–> BEIJING to SHANGHAI
–> SHANGHAI to BANGBU, HEFEI, ANHUI
–> BANGBU, HEFEI, ANHUI to XIAN
–> XIAN to GUANGZHOU
–> GUANGZHOU to SHENZHEN
–> SHENZHEN to HONG KONG

It’s not easy to explain China. Everyone knows how vast it is, how grand, how numerous the people, how fabulous its history and accomplishments in earlier technology, science, art and culture, architecture, warfare, and trade. How, at one time in its history and peaceful periods, it never needed the outside world and was perfect in self-sustainment and providing for its people. China before and China now of course is different, but what the difference is, is not easy to observe unless you know something about China’s history, its past, and its people … and you travel in the now to see the changes and the new generation of Chinese.

One thing is sure though, the Chinese are a complicated lot in a way, and simple to understand in another. They are also, if they are without education, like most nationalities, difficult amongst themselves and tend to harbour likes and dislikes of their own kind. To illustrate this, a Chinese national from Xian explained to me that the “mainland” Chinese tend to be wary of Chinese from Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. She said that these Chinese are not to be trusted and it is often known among themselves that Chinese from the territories mentioned are cunning and tend to take advantage easily of the “innocence” of the other mainland Chinese.

But then, this is also true of other countries. I know in Italy, one Italian official in Milan used to tell me that not all Italians are equal and that Italians from Venice are known among the Italians to be “vampires”, in that, they don’t suck blood, but money from everyone who come to Venice as a tourist or visitor and they are subtle and ruthless in their objective in squeezing whatever they can in the name of tourism from all those who are drawn to visiting the “beauty and romance” of their region. He said that it is known among the Italians that Italians from a particular part of Italy, have a regional “pscho-profile” and all Italians know from history and experience of why Italians from that particular region are the way they are, and how to deal with them.

This goes for the Germans too – a German from Munchen (Munich) is not the same type of German from Berlin or Frankfurt, and this reflects back to the Asian territories, like the Philippines as another example, a Waray-Waray from the Samar or Leyte region will not display the same temperament as an Ifugao from Baguio. Each region of a country bestows a certain personality and trait easily recognized by its own people. But to the rest of the world, an Italian is an Italian and a Chinese a Chinese.

In a country as big as China, the regional differences are expected, but it’s never easy to understand the psycho-profile of different Chinese unless you travel the length and breadth of the country observing, understanding and getting to know the people, and to do so would take decades.

When China first opened her doors to the world and to tourism in 1980, she used Hong Kong as her gateway. I was working for one of the privileged in-bound travel agency with the rights to planning and organizing tourism to China that time and my work was to plan, coordinate and promote the China tours to Europe’s Benelux (Belgium, Netherland and Luxembourg) region and throw in the rest of the South East Asian countries as an added “attraction”.

That was 1980 and I really have to say that those people who first visited China around that time were the few who had the guts and the stamina to venture into a very undeveloped region, in terms of tourism, as there were later tales of how unsanitary the place was, how awful the food and the way they were being prepared, how difficult to communicate with the people, and generally, how meal and hotel accommodation sucked. What they did appreciate and felt all the more drawn to planning a return visit was the inner beauty of China. They were able, inspite of the negatives they encountered in their trip, to see past the soot and grime of the “cinderella” of Asia that time, and to understand how wonderful she was and can be at one stage in history.

The slow progressive development of China started then, when the gates opened with Deng Xiaoping’s drive for China’s economic reform, and by 1986, my Hong Kong business associates had started to venture into Shanghai and Beijing when it was nothing quite like what it is today and more like Liaoning and Bengbu in Anhui, and at its simplest structure, like Chifeng in Inner Mongolia.

I was asked often enough times before the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, and then after when I took to relocating to France, to assist in China’s development because of how I had earlier knowledge and experience in promoting the place. I refused to get involved in any “investment scheme” in China knowing how it was considered a “black hole” for major corporations who ventured into the region in the early years, but since China’s inclusion in the WTO (World Trade Organization) things started to change, although, again, as with any business venture, it’s always better to conduct not only enough research, but to visit and study up close and personal what can work and what can’t and project a realistic “timeframe” for development – given the length of time China stayed somewhat “backwards”.

Although, the impression of China being backwards can be misleading. It is one of the most progressive and aggressive in the use of technology and access to the internet as well the use of mobile phones. And with cable and satellite, certain regions especially those close to Hong Kong tend to pick up and monitor the trends they see in the Chinese channels of Hong Kong.

To get to know more about China and her current situation, what helps is to talk to people, especially the Hong Kong Chinese who know and who experience first-hand the problems of doing business in China.

The Hong Kong Chinese are a special and amazing breed. Now that I am mainly based in France and can visit when I can, Hong Kong and the Philippines, I am able with my travels around Europe, to see my homeland of Hong Kong and the Philippines with a different eye. Hong Kong people will always be incredibly wonderful and funny to me. I grew up with them and learnt so much from them in my younger days and it is nothing surprising to know, during my visits to China, that they’re misunderstood for their aggression. They are extremely aggressive in business, yes, and I have first-hand experience in this when I worked in Hong Kong and with a number of industries. You may launch a “first”, a new concept and idea in the form of a product, but if you don’t plan well enough to defend your product, within three to six months, you can expect competition to arise and an imitation of your product plus some embellishments so the public will be momentarily confused as to who had the idea first.

For someone who wants to learn about developing and employing effective, aggressive marketing techniques and competitive survival skills, the best place to learn all that is Hong Kong. There, you’re between the local Hong Kong Chinese, the rapacious British from Europe, and the wily Americans. There, you live or die, business-wise, within a span of two years, and if you manage to last a survivor, your road to financial security should be more or less set. Unless you take to gambling as is the vice of most Hong Kong Chinese.

Now, China is such an attractive piece of pie especially with the Olympics coming up in 2008. When I last covered the Salon Collectionneur with Jeannie Javelosa, we were told by the organizer, Christian Didier, that Jacques Chirac is a keen collector of Chinese artifacts and antiques, who appreciated China so much because of her rich culture and history. This was the reason why he initiated the French-Chinese cultural celebration that lasted from October 2003 with the Year of China in France, and ended in July 2005 with the Year of France in China almost a three year cultural celebration and exchange period.

I personally see strong similarities between China and France, but whereas France continues to open up and progress, even while it has been hard for its people and government due to its need to also exert some form of protectionism so its people and trade can benefit; China had always moved to “withdraw” and close up in the past. I don’t see how it will be able to do that now although it’s still a possibility if certain threats continue to be made and not enough is explained to the outside world of the internal difficulties China faces.

You know how people tend to either “explode” or “implode” when pressured? For example, like the Americans … when an American can’t take pressure, he goes on a shooting rampage and kills other people before himself, and on the flipside, the Chinese or Japanese, when they can’t handle the pressure, they tend to always resort to suicide quietly. This “exploding/imploding” process goes very well also for countries and how they deal with certain issues.

China has a lot of issues. An example? The world thinks that China is one major manufacturing giant and not doing badly, so everyone’s in “fear” of her because she’s a giant and her population count is way pass one billion, but the truth is, manufacturing doesn’t pay much and there are tremendous risks involved. One major Chinese newspaper explained this clearly and said that China had to try to not only accept to be on the sub-contracting and manufacturing side of business because that did not equate to much returns for its people, but to focus on design, creation, production/manufacturing and direct selling its own brands – like the Japanese and Koreans.

I admire the Chinese people a lot. They are like the French to me, on the outside, you think there’s this aloofness and pride, but in reality, they are very warm and compassionate people. To know them, it takes living and working with them, or reading the works of their writers and how they describe their experiences within their country.

After the China orientation visit, I started to look into books from Chinese authors tracing old ones and new ones, and one particular book touched me deeply, “The Good Women of China” by Xinran Xue, a Chinese journalist who used to host a radio talk show, “Word on the Night Breeze” in China, a radio programme mainly giving voice to Chinese women. These women would call in or send letters to her about their stories, and often Xinran, upon reading or hearing their stories would weep. It’s not easy to get me to cry over a book, I cried over this one. It’s beautiful and made me realise that there is something special about the Chinese spirit … like any country really … but you need to know deeply what it is and to discover that spirit.

It’s not going to take my previous years of working to promote China or my past and forthcoming visits to know more about the people, just like it is not easy to learn everything about the French and Europeans. When confronted with the sheer magnitude of China and the diversity of people and culture in just that one country alone, I’m made to feel small and humble knowing there’s just so much to learn and really, it is not possible in one’s lifetime to learn everything.

A visit to China opens up an interest in everything for me, like cuisine, the trip to Xian and the experience of Chinese food quite unlike any I’ve ever tasted in Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and Australia. The Chinese cuisine of Xian was incredibly elaborate and surprisingly unknown to me. The tradition of serving the dishes was unique in that the young woman serving the dish would announced in an elaborate fashion what each dish was, and the story attached to it, how it was prepared and which emperor or empress considered it a favourite, or the origin of the name of the dish. Or traditional music, song and dance, as in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, the passionate songs and fiery dances of the Mongolian performers who came to wait for us at the border just as our van crossed it, and who performed these special ceremony of blessing and welcome with fabulous, impressive songs while fully attired in traditional Mongolian costumes, impressed me so much and touched my heart. What do we know of these when most of our lives are spent confined in chrome, steel and glass enclosures and exchanging information on corporate index performances or thinking of ways to make money and a tremendous amount of it in the shortest possible time?

Travel is good for the soul and a gentle yet effective teacher of life – real life. And I would always hope for people to learn as our time now is running on information overload, and as I’ve always said, there is never enough time for everything.

More later …

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Origins of names:

Anhui: Chinese an: tranquil, hui: excellent; name derived from the first syllables of An-Ch’ing and Hweichow cities.

Beijing: Chinese bei: north, jing: capital (i.e. northern capital).

Fujian: Chinese fu: happiness, jian: establish (i.e. happy establishment).

Gansu: Chinese gan: benevolent, su: respectful; name derived from the first syllables of Kan-chou and Su-chou districts.

Guangdong: Chinese guang: wide, dong: east; province was formed long ago as the eastern part of an area known as Kwang-nan Hsi-lu (“Wide south, western route”).

Guangxi: Chinese guang: immense, xi: west (western part of Kwang-nan Hsi-lu).

Guizhou: Chinese gui: precious, zhou: region.

Hainan: Chinese hai: sea, nan: south (island in the South China Sea).

Hebei: Chinese he: river, bei: north (i.e. north of the Hwang Ho).

Heilongjiang: Chinese hei: black, long: dragon, jiang: river; named for the river which forms its northern border.

Henan: Chinese he: river, nan: south (south of the Hwang Ho).

Hubei: Chinese hu: lake, bei: north (north of a chain of lakes along the Yangtze River).

Hunan: Chinese hu: lake, nan: south (south of the same lakes).

Jiangsu: Chinese jiang: river, su: bounty, or thyme, or relive; name derived from the first syllables of Chiang-ning and Su-chou prefectures.

Jiangxi: Chinese jiang: river, xi: west (originally west of the Yangtze River).

Jilin: Chinese ji: good luck, lin: forest; but the name derives from Manchu kirin ula: riverbank

Liaoning: Chinese liao: distant, ning: peace; named for the Liao River.

Nei Mongol: Inner Mongolia

Ningxia: Chinese ning: peace; named for the Hsi Hsia, or Tangut, tribe, then at peace.

Qinghai: Chinese qing: blue, hai: sea; named for a lake in its northeast. Both the lake and the province were formerly called Koko Nor.

Shaanxi: west of the pass.

Shandong: Chinese shan: mountains, dong: east (i.e. eastern mountains).

Shanghai: on the sea.

Shanxi: Chinese shan: mountains, xi: west (i.e. west of the mountains).

Sichuan: four rivers (referring to four tributaries of the Yangtze River).

Tianjin: Chinese tian: celestial, jin: ford; originally Tien-chin-wei: defense of the heavenly ford.

Xinjiang: new frontier, new dominion.

Xizang: Chinese xi: west, zang: storehouse.

Yunnan: Chinese yun: clouds, nan: south; region is south of the Yun-ling Shan, or cloudy mountains.

Zhejiang: From the province’s main river, formerly named Che Chiang (crooked river).

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissement, and is part of the ÎLE-DE-FRANCE region.
There are 22 REGIONS of France (English version in brackets):

1. BRETAGNE (Brittany), Bretagne: Land of the Bretons. Regional Capital: RENNES

The magical coast of Brittany offer a very spectacular landscape. The charm and gentleness of the people, fine regional cuisine, cider, tradional costumes, language and celtic influence makes this a very special region.

The dramatic coast lines, with cliffs, rock lined beaches and emerald waters are ideal for sailors, wind surfers and divers.

The shell fish and other sea food is excellent and abundant.

The Region of Bretagne is composed of the Départements of: Cotes-du-Nord [22], Finistere [29], Ille-et-Vilaine [35] and Morbihan [56].

2. BASSE-NORMANDIE (Lower-Normandy), Normandie: from ethnic name Normand (people from the North). Regional Capital: CAEN

Agriculture mainly dairy, some fishing and apple. Coastal tourism. Very low urbanisation and population.

The city of Caen, the capital of Calvados, [Calvados: from the rocks of Calvados. When the department was founded in 1790, Delaunay, a deputy from the area, stated that the rocks had been named for the galleon San Salvador (misspelled Çalvador) of the Spanish Armada, which foundered on them. This theory has not been confirmed.] almost completly destroyed during a battle in 1944, following the D-Day invasions.

The Region of Basse-Normandie is composed of the Départements of: Calvados [14], Manche [50], and Orne [61].

3. HAUTE-NORMANDIE (Upper-Normandy), Regional Capital: ROUEN

Important beef and dairy cattle production, also cereal crops. High urbanisation. Chemical automobile industries. Good road, rail and river networks.

The city of Rouen is an important port with the Seine river allowing acces to Paris

The Region of Haute-Normandie is composed of the Départements of: Eure [27], and Seine-Maritime [76].

4. NORD-PAS-DE-CALAIS (North-Calais), Pas-de-Calais: French: Strait of Calais. Calais comes from the ethnic name Caleti. Regional Capital: LILLE

Flat region, with important maritime network, hence heavy industry, mining. High urbanisation, despite fertile soils. Dense road, rail fluvial network, dense labour. Histroical influence with the Flemmish, the two World Wars.

The city of Lille, one of the major cities of France, located in the north, it also provides major communication routes.

The Region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais is composed of the Départements of: Nord [59], and Pas-de-Calais [62].

5. PICARDIE (Picardy), Regional Capital: AMIENS

Vast plateau region divided by the rivers Somme and Oise. The high population dropped due to the two wars and industrial changes. Low industry execept Amiens, main is agriculture due to quality soils and ideal climate.

The city of Amiens, on the river banks of the river Somme, the town is home to one of the worlds most impressive catherdrals built in the 13th century and listed with UNESCO.

The tomb of Jules Verne is in the Madeleine cemetary.

The Region of Picardie is composed of the Départements of: Aisne [02], Oise [60] and Somme [80].

6. ÎLE-DE-FRANCE (Paris-Isle-of-France), Île-de-France: French: Island of France (the area around Paris, once the only territory of the King of France). Regional Capital: PARIS (Paris: from ethnic name Parisii; shortened from Latin name Lutetia Parisiorum).

The capital region of France, Paris, city of art and romance. The famous monuments such as the Effiel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame and the river Seine. One of the most visited cities in the World.

With the building cost and restrictions in central Paris, the suburbs have grown in size and density, very quickly over the last few decades. The roads, rail and air transport providing resources for many types of industries.

Paris, the French capital. One of the most beautiful cities in the world. Historical monuments such as Notre Dame, the Eiffel tower (320m), the river Seine, Bastille, Louvre and many more.

The historical name for the city is Parisii by the Gauls, however the Romans arrived in 52 B.C. and changed the name to Lutetia

The night life is rich with the famous cabarets such as the Moulin Rouge, Lido and the Crazy Horse. Gastronomic restaurants offering cuisine of the finest are numerous and at all prices.

The Region of Ile-de-France is composed of 8 Départements: Ville-de-Paris [75], Seine-et-Marne [77], Yvelines [78], Essonne [91], Haute-de-Seine [92], Seine-Saint-Denis [93], Val-de-Marne [94] and Val-d’Oise [95].

7. CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE (Champagne-Ardenne), Champagne: Latin campania: countryside. Ardennes: said to come from Celtic ardu-: high. Regional Capital: REIMS

The huge forest of Ardenne, intensive farming techniques, Champagne wine. Historically, Reims, roman, celt influence. The French revolution , WWI, war graves.

The city of Reims, Capital of the Champagne, with a rich and long history, with the baptism of the French king Clovis in 496A.D. Seiged many times, and center of the Germany offensives during the Great War. The Germans also signed their capitulation on the 7th of May 1945.

The Region of Champagne-Ardennes is composed of four Départements: Ardennes [08], Aube [10], Marne [51] and Haute-Marne [52].

8. LORRAINE (Lorraine), Lorraine: from Lotharingie, the domain given to Lothaire in the partition of Charlemagne’s realm (A.D. 843) Regional Capital: METZ

The birth place of heavy industry, mining and steel works. Important river network, Moselle, Marne Meuse and Meurthe. Western slopes of the Vosges mountains.

The Region of Lorraine is composed of the Départements of Meurthe-et-Moselle [54], Meuse [55], Moselle [57] and Vosges [88].

9. ALSACE (Alsace), Alsace: from ethnic name, probably Germanic for “those of foreign parts”; or, land of the Ill (River). Regional Capital: STRASBOURG

Eastern France and bordering Germany. The eastern slopes of the Vosges moutains. Although much heavy industry, much to see and visit, wine, cuisine and architecture.

On the frontier with Germany, the river Rhine and Strasbourg has changed hands many times through history.

The charming city, with a very traditional architecture, cuisine and wines, the wooden structure in the buldings make the city very attractive.

The European parliment and The Conseil of Europe, The Euopean court of human-rights, have helped raise the city to the almost status of being the Euopean capital.

The Region of Alsace is composed of the Départements of: Bas-Rhin [67] and Haut-Rhin [68]

10. PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE (Pays-de-la-Loire), Pays de la Loire: French for land of the Loire River. Regional Capital: NANTES

Main industry is dairy, the valley also produces market, fruit,wine. Chalk soil gives mushrooms, coast fishing. Petrol industry revived the region. Low population and concentrated around main cities.

The city of Nantes is a maritime and river port.

The Region of Pays-de-la-Loire is composed five Départements. They are Loire-Atlantique [44], Maine-et-Loire [49], Mayenne [53], Sarthe [72] and Vendee [85].

11. CENTRE (Center), Regional Capital: ORLÉAN

Vast region, with major rivers, giving varied soils. Agriculture, forest, wine. Decentralized industries from Paris. Canal du Centre. The city of Orléan, on the banks of the river Loire, the town was besieged by the English, but liberated by Joan of Arc in 1429.

The Region of Center is comprised of six Départements. They are Cher [18], Eure-et-Loir [28], Indre [36], Indre-et-Loire [37], Loir-et-Cher [41] and Loiret [45].

12. BOURGOGNE (Burgundy), Bourgogne: Germanic Burgundja, either from Indo-European bhrghu: tall, or from Gothic baurgjans: inhabitants of fortified places. Regional Capital: DIJON

A region rich in history, culture and geography. Until the late 18th century Burgundy was not part of France, but a Dukedom with the powerful and long reigning Burgundy Dukes. One time allies to the English kings against the French king. The Burgundy frontiers streched across eastern France and into Flanders. The Cistercian influence is als important, with many abbeys and monestaries such as Cluny, Fontennay and Citeaux.

Wine is one of the pillars and pride of Burgundy, with some of the most famous wines in the world coming from the concentrated vinyards. The Romans introduced grapes and the production was mastered by the local monks.

Farming is dominated by cereal crops in the Saone plain and Nivernais plateaux, whilst in the hill areas the is much cattle farming with the traditional white Charolais.

The diverse geography, with the Morvan park and it’s cold granite to the calcaire Saone valley. There is much woodland and forest in the Cote d’Or,[Côte-d'Or: French: golden hillside (from color of grapevines, or their monetary value)], Oak whilst in the Morvan there is Red Pine.

The important rivers such as the Saone and Yonne allowing access to the Rhone and Seine have provided the region with important fluvial transport communication via canals and rivers.

The ancient capital of Burgundy was once called Divio. The city of Dijon offers very interesting historical visits, cultural activities and fine restaurants. Not only famous for mustard, it was also the birth place of Gustave Eiffel, who built the Eiffel tower in Paris.

The city is now the most important between Paris and Lyon, with major road communications and the high speed train called the TGV, getting to and from Dijon is easy.

Places to visit in the city would be the catherdral Notre Dame, Saint Michel, the palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the old shopping streets, and also the main Burgundy vineyards begin just to the south of the city.

The Burgundy region consists of the Départements of: Cote-d’Or [21], Nievre [58], Saone-et-Loire [71] and Yonne [89].

13. FRANCHE-COMTÉ (Franche-Comte), Franche-Comté: French for free county. From 1361 to 1678, Bourgogne was divided into a duchy, which belonged to France, and the free county, which was exempt from tribute to the king. Regional Capital: BESANÇON

The lower Jura, Doubs valley, mountain area. Agriculture is mainly dairy, some wine. Industries: cheese, forestrie, optical, furniture. Part of the Burgundian “empire”, Hapsbourg of Austria then France in 1674.

The city of Besançon, on the banks of the river Doubs, with the Jura mountains behind. The small city has a fortified old castle and garrison, charming small streets and an imprtant market.

The Region of Franche-Comte is composed of the four Départements of Doubs [25], Jura [39], Haute-Saone [70] and Territoire de Belfort [90].

14. POITOU-CHARENTES (Poitou-Charentes), Poitou: province of Poitier, from ethnic name Pictones. Charente: from Gallic word for sandy. Regional Capital: POITIERS

Good communications and important maritime facilities helped the region’s financial wealth. The important ports such as La Rochelle became gateways to the Americas.

Ravaged by the 100 years war and the war of Religions. The region was attached to France in 1417.

The city of Poitiers, In 732 Charles Martel stops the progression of the Arab invasion from the south. Home to the Count of Poitiers and Dukes of Aquitaine, suffering numerous batlles and seiges during the Hundred Year War.

The Poitou-Charentes Region is composed of the Départements of Charente [16], Charente-Maritime[17], Dreux-Sevres [79], and Vienne [86].

15. LIMOUSIN (Limousin), Limousin: province of Limoges, from ethnic name Lemovices, from Gallic lemo: elm, vices: warrior. Regional Capital: LIMOGES

Agricultre mainly bovin and potato. The cattle industry is very important (charolais and limousine), also wood, leather and other derived products. Also mechanical and other technical due to hydro-electric. Known also for porcelain. Once part of Aquitaine and hence England (11-1200).

The Region of Limousin consists of the Départements of Correze [19], Creuse [23] and Haute-Vienne [87].

16. AUVERGNE (Auvergne), Auvergne: from ethnic name Arverni, from Gallic are verno: at the alders.

Famous for the volcanic landscape, Roquefort blue cheese and spring water. Vercingétorix and the marquis de La Fayette.

The Region of Auvergne is comprised of the Départements of Allier [03], Cantal [15], Haute-Loire [43] and Puy-de-Dome [63].

17. RHÔNE-ALPES (Rhone-Alps), Rhône: came through Latin Rhodanus from an old root Rhod-: river. Alpes: probably from an Indo-European root meaning mountain, high place. Regional Capital: LYON

Skiing in the Alpes, snow information and resorts. Heavy industry along the Rhone, but alos agriculture, wine with Beaujolais and Côte du Rhone. Lyon had important silk production. Coal from Etienne.Important road, rail and fluvial network.

The city of Lyon, the river Saône, which joins the Rhône flow throgh the heart of the city. The roman ruins and early buildings are to be found on the right bank of the Saone. Lugdunum, which was the Roman name for the town began 100 years B.C. The rivers providing commercial importance, trade routes to and from the Mediterranean, and also natural defence.

The fertile vallies of the rivers allowed important crop farming, the surrounding steep hillsides were ideal for wine production, which the Romans introduced.

The city is of geographical and ecconomical importance, with important infrastructures such as a very modern Metro underground, TGV train lines, international airports and more.

The region of Rhone-Alpes consists of the Départements of Ain [01], Ardeche [07], Drome [26], Isere [38], Loire [42], Rhone [69], Savoie [73] and Haute-Savoie [74].

18. AQUITAINE (Aquitaine), Aquitaine: from ethnic name Aquitani; or, Latin Aquitania: land of water. Regional Capital: BORDEAUX

Vast and varied region, mountains, plains, coast. All types of industry, market, cereal, wine, gas and petrol. Historically important and independant of France.

Laying on the banks of the river Garonne, the city of Bordeaux prospered under the Roman Empire, then called Burdigala. The Atlantic ocean and river access allowing important ecconomic activities.

One of the most important cities in South -western France, the agreeable climate and rich history make the city an interesting place to explore.

The Region of Aquitaine is composed of five Départements of: Dordogne [24], Gironde [33], Landes [40], Lot-et-Garonne [46], and Pyrénées-Atlantiques [64]

19. MIDI-PYRÉNÉES (Midi-Pyrenees), Midi: French for South (as a region rather than a compass point), from Latin meridies: midday (sun stands in the south at midday in those latitudes). Pyrénées: Mountains named for a village named Pyrene. Regional Capital: TOULOUSE

The region’s important agricultural tradition (polyculture, sheep faming in the mountains); suffered a large population exodus due to the Industrial revolution.

A very constrasted landscape, with the mountains reaching more than 3000m (providing excellent skiing), whilst further to the north there are fertile plains beside the rivers for agriculture.

During recent years an important electronic, avionic and space industry, has been centered around Toulouse. This has provoked radical changes in the local infrastructure and communications network.

The city of Toulouse is half way between the Atlantic and Mediterranean sea. To the south the impresseive Pyrenees moutains mark the frontier with Spain.

During the Gaul empire, the city assured the routes to and from the seas.

The city is considered to have developped due to the wise use of local resources such as gas and hydro-electricity, it is home to the Fernch Space research program SNIAS and there is an important concentration of high-tech.

The Region of Midi-Pyrenees is composed of eight Départements. They are Ariege [09], Aveyron [12], Haute-Garonne [31], Gers [32], Lot [46], Hautes-Pyrenees [65], Tarn [81] and Tarn-et-Garonne [82].

20. LANGUEDOC-ROUSILLON (Languedoc-Roussillon), Languedoc: French Langue d’Oc: language of “oc” (in the local dialect, “oc” was used for “yes”). Roussillon: from Ruscino, name of a city in the province (modern Château-Roussillon). Regional Capital: MONTPELLIER

Mountains to plains to the Med coast. Mono culture of wine, except Rousillion, fruit. Industries areas are at Nimes and Montpellier.

Languedoc means the “Oc” language., the region where once pople spoke the language of Oc. The turbulant history, Roman, Caroligien, Toulouse, Spain then France in 1659.

Excellent climate and beaches, the Camarague area.

The city of Montpellier, trade and medicine where the two ingredients of success for this French town.

The Region of Languedoc-Roussillon is composed of five Départements. They are Aude [11], Gard [30], Herault [34], Lozere [48] and Pyrenees-Orientales [66].

21. PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D’AZUR (Provence-Alpes-Azur), Provence: Latin Provincia: the province. Alpes: probably from an Indo-European root meaning mountain, high place. Côte-d’Azur: French: blue coast (coined by Stephen Liégeard in his 1887 book, La Côte d’Azur). Regional Capital: MARSEILLE

From the Alpine moutains down to the sand beaches of Saint Tropez, Cannes, Nice. Perfumes, rosé wines, jazz and a distinct cuisine.

The city of Marseille, one of the ancient Mediterranean ports has grown into a huge cosmopolitain city.

The Region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur is made up of the Départements of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence [04], Hautes-Alpes [05], Alpes-Maritimes [06], Bouches-du-Rhone [13], Var [83] and Vaucluse [84].

22. CORSE (Corsica), Corse: from ethnic name Corsi, possibly from Phoenician horsi: wooded. Regional Capital: AJACCIO

The Island, mainly granite, giving sharp cliffs and poor farming. Hills with “maquis”. Low popluation, low industry, high emmigration. Wine, fruit and dairy. Attached to France in 1768. Still political problems.

The Region of Corsica is divided into two Départements: Corse-du-Sud [2A] and Haute-Corse [2B].