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Coordinates: 48°15′N 04°00′W / 48.250°N 4.000°W / 48.250; -4.000
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{{short description|Department of France}}
{{Other uses|Finisterre (disambiguation)}}
{{Other uses|Finisterre (disambiguation)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Expand French|date=February 2010|Finistère}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2010}}
{{Expand French|date=February 2010|Finistère|topic=geo}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2010}}
{{Infobox department
}}
<!-- See Template:Infobox department for additional fields and descriptions -->

{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = Finistère
| name = Finistère
| native_name =
| native_name = {{native name|br|Penn-ar-Bed}}
| native_name_lang = fr<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| native_name_lang = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| type = [[Departments of France|Department]]
| type = [[Departments of France|Department]]
| image_skyline =
| image_skyline = Prefecture de Kemper ( finistere).JPG
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_caption = [[Prefectures in France|Prefecture]] building of the Finistère department, in [[Quimper]]
| image_flag =
| image_flag = Flag_of_the_Department_of_Finistère.svg
| flag_alt =
| flag_alt =
| image_shield = Blason29.svg
| image_shield = Blason département fr Finistère.svg
| shield_alt =
| shield_alt =
| nickname =
| nickname =
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| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{Coord|48|15|N|04|00|W|region:FR-29_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| latd = 48|latm = 15|lats = |latNS = N
| longd = 04|longm = 00|longs = |longEW = W
| coor_pinpoint =
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_type = region:FR_type:adm2nd
| coordinates_display = inline,title
| coordinates_footnotes =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| coordinates_region = FR
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[France]]
| subdivision_name = [[France]]
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| p1 = [[Brest, France|Brest]]<br>[[Châteaulin]]<br>[[Morlaix]]
| p1 = [[Brest, France|Brest]]<br>[[Châteaulin]]<br>[[Morlaix]]
| government_footnotes =
| government_footnotes =
| leader_party = [[Socialist Party (France)|PS]]
| leader_party = [[Miscellaneous Right|DVD]]
| leader_title = [[President of the general council|President of the General Council]]
| leader_title = [[President of the Departmental Council]]
| leader_name = Maël de Calan<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les conseillers départementaux|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/601ef073-d986-4582-8e1a-ed14dc857fba|website=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=4 May 2022|language=fr}}</ref>
| leader_name = [[Pierre Maille]]
| unit_pref = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| unit_pref = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_magnitude =
| area_magnitude =
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| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| population_total = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
| population_footnotes = <ref>[http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/tableau.asp?reg_id=2&ref_id=POPOP015 INSEE Finistere 2007.] Retrieved 10 April 2009.</ref>
| population_as_of = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_total = 886500
| population_footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes2}}
| population_as_of = 2007
| population_rank = [[List of French departments by population|24th]]
| population_rank = [[List of French departments by population|24th]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
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| blank_info_sec2 = [[arrondissements of the Finistère department|4]]
| blank_info_sec2 = [[arrondissements of the Finistère department|4]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Cantons in France|Cantons]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Cantons in France|Cantons]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[cantons of the Finistère department|54]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[cantons of the Finistère department|27]]
| blank2_name_sec2 = [[Communes in France|Communes]]
| blank2_name_sec2 = [[Communes in France|Communes]]
| blank2_info_sec2 = [[communes of the Finistère department|283]]
| blank2_info_sec2 = [[communes of the Finistère department|277]]
| timezone1 = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| timezone1 = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1 = +1
| utc_offset1 = +1
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| area_code_type =
| area_code_type =
| area_code =
| area_code =
| iso_code =
| iso_code = FR-29
| website =
| website =
| footnotes = {{note|area|1}} French Land Register data, which exclude [[estuary|estuaries]], and lakes, ponds, and glaciers larger than 1 km<sup>2</sup>
| footnotes = {{note|area|1}} French Land Register data, which exclude [[estuary|estuaries]], and lakes, ponds, and glaciers larger than 1 km<sup>2</sup>
| blank1_name_sec1 = Largest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Brest, France|Brest]]
}}
}}


'''Finistère''' ({{IPA-fr|fi.nis.tɛʁ}}; {{lang-br|Penn-ar-Bed}}) is a [[Departments of France|department]] of [[France]] in the extreme west of [[Brittany]].
'''Finistère''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|f|ɪ|n|ɪ|ˈ|s|t|ɛər}}, {{IPA|fr|finistɛʁ|lang|LL-Q150 (fra)-GrandCelinien-Finistère.wav}}; {{langx|br|Penn-ar-Bed}} {{IPA-br|ˌpɛnarˈbeːt|}}) is a [[Departments of France|department]] of [[France]] in the extreme west of [[Brittany]]. Its prefecture is [[Quimper]] and its largest city is [[Brest, France|Brest]]. In 2019, it had a population of 915,090.<ref name=pop2019>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/6011060/dep29.pdf Populations légales 2019: 29 Finistère], INSEE</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:France Pays bretons map.svg|thumb|left|250px|Historical regions of Brittany]]The present department consists of the historical region of [[Viscounty of Léon|Léon]] and parts of [[Cornouaille]] and [[Trégor]], both parts of pre-revolutionary [[Brittany]].
The name ''Finistère'' derives from the Latin ''Finis Terræ'', meaning ''end of the earth.'' In England and Cornwall, such an area is called [[Land's End]]. The Breton name for Finistère, ''Penn ar Bed,'' translates as "Head/End of the World" and is similar to the Cornish equivalent for Land's End, ''Pedn-an-Wlas'' (Head/End of the country). Finistère is not to be confused with [[Cape Finisterre|Finisterre]] in [[Spain]].


The name ''Finistère'' derives from the Latin ''Finis Terræ'', meaning ''end of the earth.'' In England, a similar area is called [[Land's End]]. The Breton name for Finistère, ''Penn ar Bed,'' translates as "Head/End of the World" and is similar to the [[Cornish language|Cornish]] name for Land's End, ''Pedn-an-Wlas'' (Head/End of the country), and also Penfro (English: Pembroke) in Wales (pen = end, bro = country). Finistère is not to be confused with [[Fisterra]] in [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]], [[Spain]], which shares the same etymology.
[[File:Bretagne historic location map.svg|thumb|left|250px|Historical regions of Brittany]]

The present department ( equivalent to a county) consists of the historical region of pre-revolutionary [[Viscounty of Léon|Léon]] and parts of [[Cornouaille]] and [[Trégor]].


==Geography==
==Geography==
The largest population center in Finistère is [[Brest, France|Brest]]. Other large towns in the department include [[Quimper, Finistère|Quimper]] (the capital), [[Morlaix]], [[Carhaix]], and [[Douarnenez]]. Finistère includes the island of [[Ushant]] (''Eusa'' in [[breton language|Breton]], ''Ouessant'' in [[French language|French]]).
The largest population centre in Finistère is [[Brest, France|Brest]]. Other large towns in the department include [[Quimper, Finistère|Quimper]] (the capital), [[Concarneau]], [[Morlaix]], [[Carhaix]], [[Quimperlé]] and [[Douarnenez]]. Finistère includes the island of [[Ushant]] (''Eusa'' in [[breton language|Breton]], ''Ouessant'' in [[French language|French]]).


Finistère is the westernmost region of France (excluding the [[overseas department]]s). By several criteria, Finistère can also claim to be the most coastal department in [[Metropolitan France]]. Of its 283 communes, 118 are located on the coast. Its total coastline of approximately {{convert|1250|km|2|abbr=on}} accounts for almost a quarter of the entire French coast-line.
Finistère is the westernmost department of [[Metropolitan France]] and can also claim to be the "most coastal" department in Metropolitan France. Of its 277 communes, 117 are located on the coast. Its total coastline of approximately {{convert|1250|km|2|abbr=on}} accounts for almost a quarter of the entire Brittany coast-line.


[[File:Carteroute29.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Map of Finistère]]
[[File:Carteroute29.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Map of Finistère]]
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The ''abers'', rugged fjord-like inlets on the north coast, are a notable feature of the landscape.
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 northwestern tip of Finistère. A few miles to the south is the slightly less westerly, but rugged and isolated, headland of [[Pointe du Raz]].
The westernmost point of continental France, known as the [[Pointe de Corsen]], extends from the northwestern tip of Finistère. About 40 kilometres to the south (as the crow flies) is the slightly less westerly, but rugged and isolated, headland of [[Pointe du Raz]].


===Principal towns===
==Economy==
[[Agriculture]], [[food processing]] and various related industries occupy an important place in Finistère's economy.


The most populous commune is [[Brest, France|Brest]]; the prefecture [[Quimper]] is the second-most populous. As of 2019, there are 5 communes with more than 15,000 inhabitants:<ref name=pop2019/>
The military presence in Finistère ([[Île Longue]] [[submarine|nuclear submarine]] base and the Naval Air base of Lanvéoc-Poulmic), as well as military-related industries, such as the Brest headquarters of [[DCNS (company)|DCNS]], employ a significant number of the ''département'''s population.


{| class=wikitable
The [[seaport|port]] of [[Roscoff]] links Brittany by [[ferry]] with [[Ireland]] and [[Great Britain]].
! Commune
! Population (2019)
|-
| [[Brest, France|Brest]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 139,926
|-
| [[Quimper]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 63,283
|-
| [[Concarneau]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 19,816
|-
| [[Landerneau]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 15,918
|-
| [[Guipavas]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 15,050
|}


==Culture==
==Demographics==
{{historical populations|align=none|cols=2|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://splaf.free.fr/29his.html|title=Historique du Finistère|website=Le SPLAF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4176909?geo=DEP-29|title=Évolution et structure de la population en 2016|publisher=INSEE}}</ref>|graph-pos=bottom
Finistère is the area where [[Breton language|Breton]] survives most strongly as a spoken language. Breton-speaking schools are called [[Diwan (school)|Diwan]], Divyezh and Dihun.
|15=1801|16=439,046|17=1821|18=483,095|19=1831|20=524,396|21=1841|22=576,068|23=1851|24=617,710|25=1861|26=627,304|27=1876|28=666,106|29=1881|30=681,564|31=1891|32=727,012|33=1901|34=773,014|35=1921|36=752,514|37=1936|38=757,000|39=1946|40=724,735|41=1954|42=727,847|43=1962|44=749,558|45=1968|46=769,000|47=1975|48=804,088|49=1982|50=829,865|51=1990|52=838,366|53=1999|54=852,273|55=2006|56=879,497|57=2011|58=899,870|59=2016|60=908,249}}


==Economy==
The Festival de [[Cornouaille]], which takes place in Quimper, is a celebration of [[music of Brittany|Breton music]] and traditions. One of the highlights of summer in Finistère is the "[[Vieilles Charrues Festival|Festival des Vieilles Charrues]]" held in Carhaix-Plouguer. Major international stars attract tens of thousands of spectators.<ref>[http://www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr/ "Vieilles Charrues Festival"], official website</ref>
[[Agriculture]], [[fisheries]], [[food processing]] and various related industries occupy an important place in Finistère's economy.


The military presence in Finistère ([[Île Longue]] [[submarine|nuclear submarine]] base and the Naval Air base of Lanvéoc-Poulmic), as well as military-related industries, such as the Brest headquarters of [[DCNS (company)|DCNS]], employ a significant number of the ''département'''s population.
The painter [[Raymond Wintz]] (1884–1956) featured many locations around Finistère.

The [[seaport|port]] of [[Roscoff]] links Brittany by [[ferry]] with [[Ireland]] and [[Great Britain]].


==Politics==
==Politics==
{{See also|Departmental Council of Finistère}}


===Current National Assembly Representatives===
The President of the General Council is [[Pierre Maille]] of the [[Socialist Party (France)|Socialist Party]].


{| class="wikitable"
{| border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;"
!colspan="2"|Constituency!!Member<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/ |title=Assemblée nationale ~ les députés, le vote de la loi, le Parlement français |access-date=2018-12-13 |archive-date=2006-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318233956/http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/ |url-status=live }}</ref>!!Party
!colspan=2| Party || seats
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Finistère's 1st constituency]]
| [[Annaïg Le Meur]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
|-
|-
! style="background-color: {{Socialist Party (France)/meta/color}}" |<span style="color:white; font-size:190%;">•</span>
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Finistère's 2nd constituency]]
|[[Socialist Party (France)|Socialist Party]] ||align="right"| 35
| [[Jean-Charles Larsonneur]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
|-
|-
! style="background-color: {{Union for a Popular Movement/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Finistère's 3rd constituency]]
|[[Union for a Popular Movement]] ||align="right"| 10
| [[Didier Le Gac]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
|-
|-
! style="background-color: {{Miscellaneous Left/meta/color}}" |<span style="color:white; font-size:190%;">•</span>
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Finistère's 4th constituency]]
|[[Miscellaneous Left]] ||align="right"| 5
| [[Sandrine Le Feur]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
|-
|-
! style="background-color: {{Miscellaneous Right/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Finistère's 5th constituency]]
|[[Miscellaneous Right]] ||align="right"| 2
| [[Graziella Melchior]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
|-
|-
! style="background-color: {{Democratic Movement (France)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|Socialist Party (France)}}" |
| [[Finistère's 6th constituency]]
|[[Democratic Movement (France)|MoDem]] ||align="right"| 1
| [[Mélanie Thomin]]
| [[Socialist Party (France)|Parti Socialiste]]
|-
|-
! style="background-color: {{Union for French Democracy/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Finistère's 7th constituency]]
|[[Centrist Alliance]] ||align="right"| 1
| [[Liliane Tanguy]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Finistère's 8th constituency]]
| [[Erwan Balanant]]
| [[Mouvement démocrate]]
|}
|}

==Culture==
Finistère is the area where [[Breton language|Breton]] survives most strongly as a spoken language. Breton-speaking schools are called [[Diwan (school)|Diwan]], Divyezh and Dihun.

The Festival de [[Cornouaille]], which takes place in Quimper, is a celebration of [[music of Brittany|Breton music]] and traditions. One of the highlights of summer in Finistère is the "[[Vieilles Charrues Festival|Festival des Vieilles Charrues]]" held in Carhaix-Plouguer. Major international stars attract tens of thousands of spectators.<ref>[http://www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr/ "Vieilles Charrues Festival"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203023647/http://www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr/ |date=2011-02-03 }}, official website</ref>

The painter [[Raymond Wintz]] (1884–1956) featured many locations around Finistère.

[[Roland Doré (sculptor)|Roland Doré]] was a sculptor who executed many of the calvaries in Finistère.

== Tourism ==
<gallery>
File:Quimper2011.png|[[Quimper]]
File:Ouessant DSC02641.jpg|Granite rocks in [[Ouessant]]
File:Phare de Pontusval 4490.jpg|Pontusval lighthouse near [[Brignogan-Plages]]
File:ND de Tronoën Chapelle et calvaire 2.jpg|[[Calvary (sculpture)|Calvary]] in [[Saint-Jean-Trolimon]]
File:29 - Locronan.jpg|[[Locronan]]
File:Concarneau - la ville close à marée basse.jpg|[[Concarneau]]
File:Finis Terrae Finistère.jpg|Pointe du Chateau, [[Plougrescant]]
File:20110824 Pointe de Pen-Hir (10).jpg|[[Pointe de Pen-Hir]]
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==

{{Portal|Brittany}}
*[[Cantons of the Finistère department]]
* [[Cantons of the Finistère department]]
*[[Communes of the Finistère department]]
* [[Communes of the Finistère department]]
*[[Arrondissements of the Finistère department]]
* [[Arrondissements of the Finistère department]]
*[[Ys]]
* [[Ys]]
* [[Calvary at Saint-Herbot near Plonévez-du-Faou and the Chapelle Saint-Herbot.]]
* [[Notre Dame de Roscudon Church]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons|Finistère}}
{{Commons|Finistère}}
{{EB1911 poster|Finistère}}
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.cg29.fr/ General Council website]
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.finistere.pref.gouv.fr/ Prefecture website]
* {{in lang|fr}} [https://www.finistere.fr/ Departmental Council website]
* {{in lang|fr}} [https://www.finistere.gouv.fr/ Prefecture website]
<!-- please keep this link: Dmoz page holds a Wikipedia back link -->
* {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.finisteretourisme.com/ Finistère Tourisme, agence de développement touristique du Finistère]
* {{en icon}} {{ODP|Regional/Europe/France/Regions/Brittany/Finistere|Finistere}}
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.finisteretourisme.com/ Finistère Tourisme, agence de développement touristique du Finistère]


{{Departments of France}}
{{Departments of France}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Finistere}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Finistere}}
[[Category:Finistère| ]]
[[Category:Finistère| ]]
[[Category:Departments of Brittany]]

[[Category:Brittany region articles needing translation from French Wikipedia]]
[[af:Finistère]]
[[ar:فنستير (إقليم فرنسي)]]
[[an:Finisterre]]
[[frp:Finistèro (dèpartement)]]
[[zh-min-nan:Finistère]]
[[be:Фіністэр]]
[[bg:Финистер]]
[[br:Penn-ar-Bed]]
[[ca:Finisterre]]
[[cv:Финистер]]
[[ceb:Finistère]]
[[cs:Finistère]]
[[cy:Penn-ar-Bed]]
[[da:Finistère]]
[[de:Département Finistère]]
[[et:Finistère]]
[[es:Finisterre (Francia)]]
[[eo:Finistère]]
[[eu:Finistère]]
[[fa:فینیستر]]
[[fr:Finistère]]
[[ga:Penn-ar-Bed]]
[[gv:Penn-ar-Bed]]
[[gd:Penn-ar-Bed]]
[[gl:Finistère]]
[[ko:피니스테르 주]]
[[id:Finistère]]
[[it:Finistère]]
[[he:פיניסטר]]
[[pam:Finistère]]
[[ka:ფინისტერი]]
[[kk:Финистер]]
[[sw:Finistère]]
[[lad:Finistère]]
[[la:Finis Terrae (praefectura Franciae)]]
[[lv:Finistēra]]
[[lb:Departement Finistère]]
[[lt:Finisteras]]
[[lmo:Finistère]]
[[hu:Finistère]]
[[mg:Finistère]]
[[mr:फिनिस्तर]]
[[ms:Finistère]]
[[nl:Finistère]]
[[ja:フィニステール県]]
[[no:Finistère]]
[[nn:Finistère]]
[[oc:Finistèrra]]
[[pnb:ضلع فنستر]]
[[nds:Finistère]]
[[pl:Finistère]]
[[pt:Finistère]]
[[ro:Finistère]]
[[ru:Финистер]]
[[se:Finistère]]
[[simple:Finistère]]
[[sk:Finistère]]
[[sl:Finistère]]
[[sr:Финистер]]
[[fi:Finistère]]
[[sv:Finistère]]
[[th:จังหวัดฟีนิสแตร์]]
[[tg:Департаменти Финистер]]
[[tr:Finistère]]
[[uk:Фіністер]]
[[vi:Finistère]]
[[war:Finistère]]
[[zh:非尼斯泰尔省]]

Latest revision as of 19:59, 7 November 2024

For other uses, see Finisterre (disambiguation).
Finistère
Penn-ar-Bed (Breton)
Department
Prefecture building of the Finistère department, in Quimper
Prefecture building of the Finistère department, in Quimper
Flag of Finistère
Flag
Coat of arms of Finistère
Coat of arms
Location of Finistère in France
Location of Finistère in France
Coordinates: 48°15′N 04°00′W / 48.250°N 4.000°W / 48.250; -4.000
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
PrefectureQuimper
SubprefecturesBrest
Châteaulin
Morlaix
Government
 • President of the Departmental CouncilMaël de Calan[1] (DVD)
Area
1
 • Total
6,733 km2 (2,600 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Total
921,638
 • Rank24th
 • Density140/km2 (350/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeFR-29
Department number29
Largest cityBrest
Arrondissements4
Cantons27
Communes277
^1 French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries, and lakes, ponds, and glaciers larger than 1 km2

Finistère (/ˌfɪnɪˈstɛər/, French: [finistɛʁ] ⓘ; Breton: Penn-ar-Bed [ˌpɛnarˈbeːt]) is a department of France in the extreme west of Brittany. Its prefecture is Quimper and its largest city is Brest. In 2019, it had a population of 915,090.[3]

History

[edit]
Historical regions of Brittany

The present department consists of the historical region of Léon and parts of Cornouaille and Trégor, both parts of pre-revolutionary Brittany.

The name Finistère derives from the Latin Finis Terræ, meaning end of the earth. In England, a similar area is called Land's End. The Breton name for Finistère, Penn ar Bed, translates as "Head/End of the World" and is similar to the Cornish name for Land's End, Pedn-an-Wlas (Head/End of the country), and also Penfro (English: Pembroke) in Wales (pen = end, bro = country). Finistère is not to be confused with Fisterra in Galicia, Spain, which shares the same etymology.

Geography

[edit]

The largest population centre in Finistère is Brest. Other large towns in the department include Quimper (the capital), Concarneau, Morlaix, Carhaix, Quimperlé and Douarnenez. Finistère includes the island of Ushant (Eusa in Breton, Ouessant in French).

Finistère is the westernmost department of Metropolitan France and can also claim to be the "most coastal" department in Metropolitan France. Of its 277 communes, 117 are located on the coast. Its total coastline of approximately 1,250 km (776.71 mi) accounts for almost a quarter of the entire Brittany coast-line.

Map of Finistère

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 northwestern tip of Finistère. About 40 kilometres to the south (as the crow flies) is the slightly less westerly, but rugged and isolated, headland of Pointe du Raz.

Principal towns

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The most populous commune is Brest; the prefecture Quimper is the second-most populous. As of 2019, there are 5 communes with more than 15,000 inhabitants:[3]

Commune Population (2019)
Brest 139,926
Quimper 63,283
Concarneau 19,816
Landerneau 15,918
Guipavas 15,050

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1801439,046—    
1821483,095+0.48%
1831524,396+0.82%
1841576,068+0.94%
1851617,710+0.70%
1861627,304+0.15%
1876666,106+0.40%
1881681,564+0.46%
1891727,012+0.65%
1901773,014+0.62%
1921752,514−0.13%
1936757,000+0.04%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1946724,735−0.43%
1954727,847+0.05%
1962749,558+0.37%
1968769,000+0.43%
1975804,088+0.64%
1982829,865+0.45%
1990838,366+0.13%
1999852,273+0.18%
2006879,497+0.45%
2011899,870+0.46%
2016908,249+0.19%
source:[4][5]

Economy

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Agriculture, fisheries, food processing and various related industries occupy an important place in Finistère's economy.

The military presence in Finistère (Île Longue nuclear submarine base and the Naval Air base of Lanvéoc-Poulmic), as well as military-related industries, such as the Brest headquarters of DCNS, employ a significant number of the département's population.

The port of Roscoff links Brittany by ferry with Ireland and Great Britain.

Politics

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See also: Departmental Council of Finistère

Current National Assembly Representatives

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Constituency Member[6] Party
Finistère's 1st constituency Annaïg Le Meur La République En Marche!
Finistère's 2nd constituency Jean-Charles Larsonneur La République En Marche!
Finistère's 3rd constituency Didier Le Gac La République En Marche!
Finistère's 4th constituency Sandrine Le Feur La République En Marche!
Finistère's 5th constituency Graziella Melchior La République En Marche!
Finistère's 6th constituency Mélanie Thomin Parti Socialiste
Finistère's 7th constituency Liliane Tanguy La République En Marche!
Finistère's 8th constituency Erwan Balanant Mouvement démocrate

Culture

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Finistère is the area where Breton survives most strongly as a spoken language. Breton-speaking schools are called Diwan, Divyezh and Dihun.

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. Major international stars attract tens of thousands of spectators.[7]

The painter Raymond Wintz (1884–1956) featured many locations around Finistère.

Roland Doré was a sculptor who executed many of the calvaries in Finistère.

Tourism

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les conseillers départementaux". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b Populations légales 2019: 29 Finistère, INSEE
  4. ^ "Historique du Finistère". Le SPLAF.
  5. ^ "Évolution et structure de la population en 2016". INSEE.
  6. ^ "Assemblée nationale ~ les députés, le vote de la loi, le Parlement français". Archived from the original on 2006-03-18. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  7. ^ "Vieilles Charrues Festival" Archived 2011-02-03 at the Wayback Machine, official website
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Finistère.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Finistère".
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