Aisne
83169
222444525
2008-06-29T11:12:13Z
Delta 51
7238582
+pl fix
{{coor title dm|49|30|N|3|30|E}}
{{otheruses1|the French department}}
{{Infobox_Department_of_France
| department = Aisne
| number = 02
| region = [[Picardie]]
| prefecture = [[Laon]]
| subprefectures = [[Château-Thierry]]<br>[[Saint-Quentin, Aisne|Saint-Quentin]]<br>[[Soissons]]<br>[[Vervins]]
| population = 535,489
| pop_date = 1999
| pop_rank = 46th
| density = 73
| area = 7369
| area_scale = 9
| arrond = 5
| cantons = 42
| communes = 816
| president = [[Yves Daudigny]]
| pres_party = [[Socialist Party (France)|PS]]
| img_coa = Blason département fr Aisne.svg
}}
'''Aisne''' ({{IPA2|ɛn}}) is a [[departments of France|department]] in the northern part of [[France]] named after the [[Aisne River]].
== History ==
Aisne 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 [[Île-de-France (province)|Île-de-France]], [[Picardie]], and [[Champagne, France|Champagne]].
Most of the old-growth forests in the area were destroyed during battles in [[World War I]]. The French offensive against the [[Chemin des Dames]] in spring 1917 is sometimes referred to as the ''[[Second Battle of the Aisne]]''.
== Geography ==
Aisne borders the [[Ardennes]] Forest and [[Belgium]] to the northeast. The Aisne River crosses the area from east to west, where it joins the [[Oise River]]. The landscape is dominated by masses of rock which often have steep flanks. These rocks appear all over the region, but the most impressive examples are at [[Laon]] and the [[Chemin des Dames]] ridge.
The principal cities in Aisne are :
*[[Laon]], pop. 26,000 (capital)
*[[Saint-Quentin, Aisne|Saint-Quentin]], pop. 60,000
*[[Soissons]], pop. 30,000
*[[Château-Thierry]]
*[[Tergnier]], pop. 15,000
See also: List of the [[communes of the Aisne department]].
==Climate==
There is an average of 500 to 750 mm precipitation annually.
== Economy ==
Agriculture dominates the economy, especially cereal crops. [[Beet sugar]] is one of the most important industrial crops of the area. Silk, cotton, and wool weaving flourish in Saint-Quentin and other towns. [[Saint-Gobain]] is known for its production of mirrors, which started in the 17th century. [[Guise]] is the agricultural centre of the northern area of Aisne.
== Culture ==
During [[World War I]] a number of significant architectural monuments were destroyed. Of the buildings that survived, the medieval churches in Laon, [[Braine]], and [[Urcel]] are the most significant. The ruined castle of [[La Ferté-Milon]] escaped further damage during the war.
==See also==
*[[Cantons of the Aisne department]]
*[[Communes of the Aisne department]]
*[[Arrondissements of the Aisne department]]
==External links==
{{commonscat|Aisne}}
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.aisne.pref.gouv.fr/ Prefecture website]
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.cg02.fr/ General Council website]
* {{en icon}} [http://www.aisneco.com/pages/business/business.php Set up your business in Aisne]
* {{en icon}} [http://www.aisne.cci.fr/pages/toutsavoirccia/map_saint_quentin.php Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Aisne]
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.cm-aisne.fr/pages/index.php Chamber of Trades of Aisne]
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.agri02.com/index.php Aisne Chamber of Agriculture]
* {{en icon}} [http://www.aisne-developpement.com/gb/index.php Aisne Development Agency]
* {{en icon}} [http://www.evasion-aisne.com/en/ Official Tourist Board]
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.pays-aisne.org/pages/carte/index.php Maps of Aisne]
{{Departments of France}}
[[Category:1790 establishments]]
[[Category:Aisne|*]]
[[als:Aisne (Département)]]
[[an:Aisne]]
[[frp:Èsne (dèpartement)]]
[[br:Aisne (departamant)]]
[[ca:Aisne]]
[[cv:Эна (департамент)]]
[[ceb:Aisne]]
[[cs:Aisne (departement)]]
[[cy:Aisne]]
[[da:Aisne (departement)]]
[[de:Aisne (Département)]]
[[es:Aisne]]
[[eo:Aisne]]
[[eu:Aisne]]
[[fr:Aisne (département)]]
[[gl:Aisne]]
[[id:Aisne (departemen)]]
[[it:Aisne]]
[[jv:Aisne (Departemen ing Prancis)]]
[[pam:Aisne]]
[[lad:Aisne]]
[[la:Axona (praefectura Franciae)]]
[[lb:Departement Aisne]]
[[lt:Esnas]]
[[nl:Aisne (departement)]]
[[ja:エーヌ県]]
[[no:Aisne (departement)]]
[[nn:Aisne]]
[[oc:Aisne (departament)]]
[[nds:Aisne]]
[[pl:Aisne (departament)]]
[[pt:Aisne (departamento)]]
[[ro:Aisne]]
[[ru:Эна (департамент)]]
[[simple:Aisne]]
[[sk:Aisne (departement)]]
[[sl:Aisne (departma)]]
[[sr:Ен (Пикардија)]]
[[fi:Aisne]]
[[sv:Aisne]]
[[vi:Aisne]]
[[tg:Департаменти Эна]]
[[uk:Ена (департамент)]]
[[vo:Aisne]]
[[zh:埃纳省]]