Finistère
Finistère (
Penn-ar-Bed in
Breton) is a
département of
France, located in
Brittany (
Bretagne in
French).
The name
Finistère means
end of the earth and may be compared with
Land's End on the opposite side of the
English Channel. It is not to be confused with
Cape Finisterre in
Spain.
Finistère is the most westerly part of metropolitan France.
The largest population center, and only city, in Finistère is
Brest. Other large towns in the
département include
Quimper,
Morlaix,
Carhaix and
Douarnenez. Finistère includes the island of
Ushant (Ouessant in
French).
The
abers, rugged fjord-like inlets on the north coast, are a notable feature of the landscape.
The westernmost point of continental
France, known as the
Pointe de Corsen, extends from the north-western tip of the Finistère.
Agriculture,
food processing and various related industries occupy an important place in the Finistère's economy.
The military presence in the Finistère (Ile Longue
nuclear submarine base; Naval Air base of Lanvéoc-Poulmic), as well as military-related industries such as the Brest headquarters of
DCN employ a significant number of the département's population.
The
port of
Roscoff links Brittany by
ferry with
Ireland and
Great Britain.
Finistère is the area where
Breton survives most strongly as a spoken language.
The Festival de
Cornouaille, which takes place in
Quimper, is a celebration of
Breton music and traditions.
One of the highlights of summer in Finistère is the "
Festival des Vieilles Charrues" held in Carhaix-Plouguer where major international stars attract tens of thousands of spectators.[
1]
*
Cantons of the Finistère département*
Communes of the Finistère département*
Arrondissements of the Finistère département*
Conseil Général website (n French)
*
Prefecture website (in French)
* http://www.finisteretourisme.com/ (in French)
