The Paris Basin

1
The Paris Basin

• A core region of Europe.

2
A Core Economic Region of Europe

• 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.

3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
Physical Characteristics

• Relief and soils
• Drainage
• Climate

9
Relief and Soils

• 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.

10

• In the centre of the basin, very fertile limon
  soil lies on the sands and gravels (North
  European Plain).
• 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.
• 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.
• Well known for its cereal production and is often
  nicknamed the Granary of France.
• Varied, fertile soils allow a wide range of
  farming activities.

11
(No Transcript)
12
Drainage

• 3 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.

13
Climate

• 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.

14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
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)

18
Primary Economic Activities.

• Influenced by resources such as
• Fertile soils
• Mild climate
• Low lying relief
• 2 main topics are
• Agriculture
• Energy Production

19
Agriculture

• 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.

20
(No Transcript)
21
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.
• Low lying, flat region covered with fertile limon
  soil.
• Large farms (over 400 hectares) that produce
  wheat.
• Yields are the highest in France.
• Beauce
• Limestone upland covered in limon soil. Large and
  mechanised farms.
• Main wheat producing region.
• Sugar beet also grown.

22

• Brie and Valois
• 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.
• 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.

23
(No Transcript)
24
(No Transcript)
25
(No Transcript)
26
(No Transcript)
27
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.

28
Oil and Natural Gas

• 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
  Aquitaine Basin to the south and from the
  Netherlands.

29
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.

30
Nuclear Energy

• 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.

31
(No Transcript)
32
Secondary Economic Activities
33
Tertiary Economic Activities.
34
Human Processes.
35
(No Transcript)
36
(No Transcript)
37
(No Transcript)
38
(No Transcript)
39
(No Transcript)
40
(No Transcript)
41
(No Transcript)
42
(No Transcript)
43
(No Transcript)
44
(No Transcript)
45
(No Transcript)
46
(No Transcript)
47
(No Transcript)
48
(No Transcript)