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Pas-de-Calais| French name for the Strait of Dover and also the French département bordering it, of which Arras is the capital and Calais the chief port. See also Nord-Pas-de-Calais. |
Pas-de-Calais| Département in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, with a coastline on the Strait of Dover; area 6,639 sq km/2,563 sq mi; population (1999 est) 1,441,600. The land is generally flat and well drained. The principal agricultural products are cereals, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beet, and livestock farming is important. There are textile, metallurgical, sugar, and other manufacturing industries. The coastal areas have fishing and tourism. The département was the scene of severe fighting in both world wars. The administrative centre is Arras. Other towns include Béthune, Boulogne-sur-Mer, St-Omer, Calais, and Lens. |
| The département was formed from most of the former province of Artois and the maritime portion of Picardy. Coal mining was important here until 1960. |
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