Page 21 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

INTRODUCING BRIT T AN Y  19

A PORTRAIT OF

BRITTANY

With its eventful history, contrasting landscapes, diverse economy and
exceptionally rich cultural heritage, Brittany is a multifaceted region. While
Breton trad itions are very much alive, and while the region is famous for its
menhirs, Brittany has also embraced the technological revolutions of the
modern age. It is, for example, a major centre of the electronics industry.

Brittany consists of two distinct areas: a along the coast and that is used
coastal region and an inland area. This by the food, pharmaceuticals and
is reflected in the Celtic names Armor, cosmetics industries.
meaning “country by the sea”, and Bordered by the English Channel
Argoat, “wooded country”. The coastline and the Atlantic Ocean, Brittany is
consists of a succession of cliffs, dunes, closely associated with seafaring.
estuaries, mud flats and marsh land. The From the monks that sailed from
westernmost point of France, Brittany Britain in their makeshift boats to
sinks beneath the sea, extended by a evan gelize Armorica (the old name
continental shelf. To the north, this shelf for western Brittany), to the interna-
rises to form the British Isles. To the south, tional yachtsmen of today, and includ-
it extends along the coast of Brittany. ing some great explorers and notorious
Since ancient times, this maritime privateers, Brittany’s seamen have
region has provided rich fishing grounds. an illustrious place in the annals of
Today, the abundant fish stocks here are European seafaring. It was shipbuilding
still a mainstay of the Breton economy. and metalworking that stripped the
Another is the seaweed that grows Argoat region of most of its trees,

Stately ships at the Fête Internationale de la Mer et des Marins, a major event held in Brest every four years
Procession with parish banners and traditional costume, at the Grand Pardon in Quimper

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