Guide to Pas de Calais and Properties in Department 62

Pas-de-Calais is a department in France's northernmost region, bordering the Strait of Dover. The departments of Nord and Somme, the English Channel, and the North Sea surround it. The department shares a nominal border with the English county of Kent- the two regions are connected via the Channel Tunnel. Pas-de-Calais is part of the Hauts-de-France region, and its principal towns include Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Étaples, Artois, Lens, Liévin, Arras and Saint-Omer. Although Pas-de-Calais is among France's most densely populated departments, it has no large cities. The largest town in the area is Calais, with a population of around 80,000 people. Other notable towns in the region include Arras, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Lens and Liévin. Most of the population is concentrated along the border with the Nord department in the mining district. A string of small towns in this area constitutes an urban region with a population of approximately 1.2 million. Additionally, the centre and south of the department are rural but still fairly heavily populated, with many small towns and villages.

A Legacy of Wars and Coal

Pas-de-Calais (department number 62) is full of history, and during World War I, it witnessed some of the heaviest fighting. Despite this, the region's population rebounded quickly after both world wars. However, many of the mining towns in the area have seen dramatic decreases in population, with some losing up to half of their inhabitants. The economy of Pas-de-Calais was long dependent on mining, particularly the coal mines near Lens, where coal was discovered in 1849. Nonetheless, since World War II, the economy has become more diversified, and many mines have closed, creating an employment crisis.

Key Information about Pas de Calais

• Main City/Prefecture: Arras
• Nearest Airport: Lille-Lesquin Airport
• Population: Around 1.5 million (as of the latest census)
• Area: 6,671 sq. kilometres and 2,576 sq. miles
• Landmark: Vimy Ridge Memorial, commemorating Canadian soldiers who fought in World War I.
• Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 2.5 million, attracted by its coastal cliffs, battlefields and cultural heritage.

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