Maine-et-Loire, Department in Pays de la Loire, France
Maine-et-Loire is a department in the Pays de la Loire region of western France, stretching across river valleys and agricultural plains. The territory divides into four districts centered around Angers, the main city.
The territory formed in 1790 during the French Revolution from parts of the former province of Anjou. The current name was adopted in December 1791, replacing an earlier designation used for just over a year.
The name combines two rivers that meet in the capital, where locals still gather along the banks on summer evenings. Winemakers across the territory open their cellars to visitors, sharing techniques passed down through generations of families.
The area borders eight other territories and connects well by train or car, with Angers serving as a central starting point. The landscape shifts between river valleys and gentle hills, which means longer drives between individual towns.
At one point the territory touches a neighboring department along a stretch of only 19 meters, making it the shortest border between French departments. This oddity resulted from historical boundary drawings along old provincial lines.
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