Puy-de-Dôme, Administrative department in central France
Puy-de-Dôme is an administrative unit in central France with Clermont-Ferrand as its capital. The landscape includes volcanic cones, plateaus and wooded valleys stretching from the mountains of the Chaîne des Puys to the gentler hills in the east.
The unit was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution and received its name after local preferences rather than the originally proposed Mont-d'Or. Boundaries have changed only slightly over the centuries.
The name comes from a 1465-meter volcano that shapes the skyline and rises above the surrounding region. Local traditions often center on the geological character of the area, and hikers regularly encounter viewpoints along the ridges.
The area consists of five administrative districts with a total of 470 municipalities. Travelers reach the capital Clermont-Ferrand easily, from where smaller towns such as Ambert, Issoire, Riom and Thiers are accessible by regional connections.
The territory contains more than 80 volcanic craters, many of which remain clearly visible in the landscape. Clermont-Ferrand hosts an international short film festival each year, attracting filmmakers from around the world.
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