The Paris Basin

The Paris Basin

1. Is a core region of both France and Europe

   • A core region has:
     • Well-developed, urban-based economies.
     • High per capita income
     • High living standards
     • High population density,as a result of inward migration
     • Benefits from advanced technologies,communications and infrastructure
     • Features low unemployment
     • High productivity levels
     • Dominates trade
     • Benefits from investment i industry and services
     • Is the seat of government and decision making

2. Is a well-defined core region, with over 21 million inhabitants. It's a lowlying fertile are and is the centre of government. It's a culturally diverse region.

3. Physical processes

   • Climate
     • A cool temperate oceanic climate. Has a moderate temperatures averaging about 5°C during the winter and about 16°C during the summer months. Rainfall is around 800 mm per annum due to the atlantic depressions. Further inland the Paris Basin experiences a cool temperate continental-type climate. Here there is colder winters at 2°C and warmer summers at 19°C. Rainfall in the area is slightly lower at 700 mm per annum. The area experiences convectional rainfall.
   • Soils
     • Soils in this area are varied. They range from the chalk soils of Champagne to the clay soils of Brie. These different farming areas are called 'PAYS' in France. The most dominant soil type is a thick layer of fertile stoneless limon. These are wind-blown soils from a periglacial environment and deposited across the basin as fertile and easily worked soils.
   • Relief and drainage
     • Is an area of sedimentary rock that underwent folding. Its a great syncline in the earths crust. Escarpments form a rim outside to the east and west.

4. Primary Economic Activities

   • Agriculture
     • Farming in this Paris Basin is specialised. The Beauce are is a large-scale mechanised cereal production of wheat and barley also Sugar beet. It has a long growing season. It has well-despersed rainfall and long hours of sunshine for crop ripening. In 1957 the EEC(EU) guaranteed prices for farm produce. This area is known as the 'GRANARY OF FRANCE'.
     • In Brie, dairy farming is dominant due to the damper climate and clay soils. Dairy products are sold to the large urban market of the nearby city of Paris. Brie is famous for its cheese and butter. Stocking rates are high and is profitable and intensive.
     • Nearer the city market gardening of high value crops like fruit, vegetables crops and flowers is carried out. There are excellent communication links in the Paris Basin. This allows for quick delivery of perishable goods.
     • In the damper climate of Normandy farmers concentrate on dairy production. Danone is located here. Camembert cheese is made here. There is a major apple industry here producing the Golden Delicious apples. There's a bloodstock industry. The soil is rich in calcium, this develops horses with strong bones bred here.
     • Inland area have hot summers. Vine growing takes place at the east-facing scarps of Falaise d'lle de France and Cote de Meuse. The dry Champagne region is famous for it's viticulture. Champagne was developed by the Benedictine monks. Only the grapes grown in this are can be classed ad 'Champagne'.
     • Farm size is large at 400 hectares. Land prices are high due to competition. Most farming that takes place in the Paris Basin is intensive and commercial. There's fertile alluvial soils close to the river Seine. Farmers tend to be young and well educated and treat farming as a business.
   • Forestry
     • Most common on the scarp and vale topography of the south-east section of the Paris Basin. Here infertile sands and gravels dominate.
   • Energy production
     • The region imports it's oil and gas through Le Havre port, where oil refining and petrochemical industries are also located. France is the third largest consumer of oil in Europe, and imports 95 per cent of it. The Paris Basin contains no natural gas, they are brought in by pipeline. In 2004 coal production ceased in France and is now imported.
     • After the 1973 oil crisis, France reduced it's dependency on oil and invested in nuclear energy. 75% of France electricity is nuclear- generated. Nuclear power is cleaner than fossil fuel but is highly toxic.

5. Secondary Economic Activities

   • Manufacturing Activities
     • Long tradition of manufacturing and is well dispersed throughout the region.
     • The river Seine is a navigable river and has deep water ports