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Arras, France

Arras
Clockwise from top: A row of Flemish-Baroque-style townhouses, the Saint-Vaast Abbey, a colorful house, the Vauban Citadel, and the Town Hall and its Belfry
Clockwise from top: A row of Flemish-Baroque-style townhouses, the Saint-Vaast Abbey, a colorful house, the Vauban Citadel, and the Town Hall and its Belfry
Coat of arms of Arras
Coat of arms
Arras is located in France
Arras
Arras
Coordinates: 50°18′00″N 2°42′08″E / 50.29999°N 2.70214°E / 50.29999; 2.70214Coordinates: 50°18′00″N 2°42′08″E / 50.29999°N 2.70214°E / 50.29999; 2.70214
Country France
Region Hauts-de-France
Department Pas-de-Calais
Arrondissement Arras
Intercommunality Arras
Government
 • Mayor (2014–2020) Jean-Paul Potal
Area1 11.63 km2 (4.49 sq mi)
Population (2012)2 43,693
 • Density 3,800/km2 (9,700/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 62041 / 62000
Elevation 52–99 m (171–325 ft)
(avg. 72 m or 236 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Arras (/ˈærəs/; French pronunciation: ​[aʁɑːs]; Dutch: Atrecht) is the capital (chef-lieu/préfecture) of the Pas-de-Calais department, which forms part of the region of Hauts-de-France; prior to the reorganization of 2014 it was located in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. It is located in Northern France on the Scarpe river. The Arras plain lies on a large chalk plateau bordered on the north by the Marqueffles fault, on the southwest by the Artois and Ternois hills, and on the south by the slopes of Beaufort-Blavincourt. On the east it is connected to the Scarpe valley.

Established during the Iron Age by the Gauls, the town of Arras was first known as Nemetocenna, which is believed to have originated from the Celtic word nemeton, meaning 'sacred space'. The first mention of the name Arras appeared in the 12th century. Some hypothesize it is a contraction of Atrebates, a Belgic tribe of Gaul and Britain that used to inhabit the area. The name Atrebates could have successively evolved to become Atrades, Atradis, Aras and finally Arras. Others believe it comes from the Celtic word Ar, meaning 'running water', as the Scarpe river flows through Arras.


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