Centre

Region of north-central France; area 39,151 sq km/15,116 sq mi; population (1999 est) 2,440,300. Centre includes the départements of Cher, Eure-et-Loir, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loire-et-Cher, and Loiret. The administrative centre is Orléans. The region was established in the 1970s as part of the government's decision to decentralize certain administrative functions.

Centre lies in the Paris basin, bisected by the Loire River and several of its tributaries, its highest point being Mount St-Marien (504 m/1,653 ft). The area covers the former provinces of Berry, Touraine, and Orléanais. Wine is produced, and barley, maize, rape seed, sugar beet, sunflowers, and wheat are grown.