Isère

Isère
Details
Information
Number	38
Region	Rhône-Alpes
Prefecture	Grenoble
Subprefectures	La Tour-du-Pin Vienne
Population  - Total (1999)  - Density	Ranked 16th 1,094,006 147 /km²
Area	7,431 km²
Arrondissements	3
Cantons	58
Communes	533
President of the general council	André Vallini
Location

Isère is a département in the east of France named after the Isère River.

History

Isère was one of the original 83 départements created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the former province of Dauphiné. Its area has been reduced twice, in 1852 and again in 1967.

Geography

Isère is part of the current region of Rhône-Alpes and is surrounded by the départements of Rhône, Ain, Savoie, Hautes-Alpes, Drôme, Ardèche, and Loire.

Isère includes a part of the French Alps. The highest point in the département is the summit of La Meije at 3,987 meters. The Vercors Plateau dominates the west of the département.

Demographics

Inhabitants of the département are called Isérois.

Culture

The Grande Chartreuse is the mother abbey of the Carthusian order. It is located 14 miles north of Grenoble.

Tourism

Isère features many ski resorts, including the Alpe d'Huez.

External links

• Conseil Général website (in French)
• Prefecture website (in French)
• Encylopedia article about the Grande Chartreuse