The Paris Basin
A core region of Europe.
A Core Economic Region of Europe
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A distinct economic core region because of its
geology, soils, agricultural productivity, thriving
economy and city of Paris.
Many natural and human advantages for settlement
and industrial location. (Relief, climate, soils,
accessibility, population).
Over 20 million people live in the region.
A centre of in-migration.
Culturally mixed.
Largest manufacturing centre in France.
Well developed transport network.
Centre of government and decision making in
France.
Physical Characteristics
 Relief
and soils
 Drainage
 Climate
Relief and Soils
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Occupies nearly 25% of France.
480km from west to east. 320km from north to
south.
A huge down-fold (syncline) in sedimentary rocks
created over 400 million years ago. (Rocks such as
chalks, clays, sandstone, limestone). Rock layers
folded so that in the east of the region, the edges of
the layers appear as ridges or scarps in the
landscape.
The biggest scarp is called the Falaise de France.
Each rock type (clay, chalk, limestone, sand and
gravel) has produced different soils which have
influenced the type of farming across the basin.
The different farming areas are known as pays in
French.
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In the centre of the basin, very fertile limon soil lies on the
sands and gravels (North European Plain).
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Limon soil – a fertile stoneless soil deposited by wind at the
end of the last ice-age and easily worked by machinery; ideal
for the growth of cereals.
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Alluvium – deposited by rivers on their flood plains.
Clay soils – ‘heavier’ soils and suitable for dairy farming.
This central region is extremely productive and is known as
the Ile De France.
Most of the area is under 200m in height and is very suitable
to agriculture.
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Well known for its cereal production and is often nicknamed
the Granary of France.
Varied, fertile soils allow a wide range of farming activities.
Drainage
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rivers flow across the region.
 The Seine and its tributaries (Yonne, Oise
and Marne) flow north-west through Paris
and enters the sea at Le Havre.
 The River Somme flows across the north
of the Paris Basin.
 The River Loire flows west across the
southern edge of the region.
Climate
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Changes as you travel from west to east across
the region.
West – maritime climate (sea influence) keeps
summers cool (16 deg) and winters mild (5 deg),
average rainfall of 800mm.
East of region – continental climate (no sea
influence) with hot summers (19 deg) and cold
winters (2 deg), less than 700mm of rainfall.
Between the two extremes of maritime and
continental climatic regions, there is a transitional
type climate.
The even distribution of rainfall and the long
growing season are great advantages for
agriculture.
Exam Question – Q6A
 Draw
an outline map of a European region
– not Ireland – or a continental /
subcontinental region.
 Show and name the following on it:
 1 – any two physical features in the
region.
 2 – any two urban centres in the region.
 (20 marks)
Primary Economic Activities.
 Influenced
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by resources such as:
Fertile soils
Mild climate
Low lying relief
main topics are:
Agriculture
Energy Production
Agriculture
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Fertile limon soil and climate have allowed the
production of wheat, barley and maize cereal
crops throughout the region.
Spring and early summer rainfall help crop
growth and the long hours of sunshine are ideal
for ripening crops.
Close to River Seine, alluvial soils also favour
intensive farming.
Farms are big (over 400 hectares), mechanised
and highly productive.
Large consumer market – over 21 million people.
Farm production in different farming areas (pays) of the
Paris Basin
 Different
farming regions have developed
based mainly on the soil types of the region.
 The Ile de France.
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Low lying, flat region covered with fertile limon soil.
Large farms (over 400 hectares) that produce
wheat.
Yields are the highest in France.
 Beauce
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Limestone upland covered in limon soil. Large and
mechanised farms.
Main wheat producing region.
Sugar beet also grown.
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Brie and Valois
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In these 2 pays, clay soils occur.
This soil produces good pasture land.
Farmers here are dairy farmers, famous for cheese (Brie
cheese) and butter.
Being so close to the urban area of Paris, they also supply
fresh milk to the city.
The Champagne Region.
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Clay covered valleys between chalk ridges (scarps).
The chalk ridges are infertile, well drained soils. They have a
southerly aspect and are suitable for vines.
It is here around the town of Reims that the famous
champagne wine is produced.
These are the most northerly vineyards in Europe and as a
result the wines from here have a unique taste.
The production of wine is a specialist type of farming called
viticulture.
Energy Production
 High
energy consumption.
 Oil and gas are imported through the port of Le
Havre where oil refining and petrochemical
production form the basis of the economy.
Oil and Natural Gas
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France has small oil reserves at about 150 to 160
million barrels.
They are located in the Paris Basin and in the
Aquitaine region.
France is the 3rd greatest oil-consuming country in
Europe after Germany and Russia and 10th
greatest in the world.
It has to import 95% of its oil needs.
The Paris Basin does not contain any gas
reserves.
Gas is brought by pipeline from gas wells in the
Coal
 Small
reserves existed in the south of the
region, but in 2004 coal production was
phased out completely.
 France now imports its coal needs.
Nuclear Energy
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France depends heavily on its nuclear
generating infrastructure for its electricity supply.
 75% of French electricity is generated by nuclear
power and its nuclear generating capacity has
increased by about 10% over the past decade.
 10 of its 37 power stations are located in and
around the Paris Basin.
Secondary Economic Activities
Tertiary Economic Activities.
Human Processes.