Artois is also a city in California, USA. See Artois, California .

Artois is a former province of northern France. Its territory has an area of around 4000 km² and a population of about a million. Its principal cities are Arras, Saint-Omer, Lens and Béthune.

Location

Artois occupies the interior of the Pas-de-Calais département, the western part of which constitutes the former Boulonnais . It occupies the western end of the coalfield which stretches eastward through the neighbouring Nord département and across central Belgium.

History

Formerly a part of the county of Flanders until annexed by France in 1180 and created a separate county in 1237, Artois came under the rule of the dukes of Burgundy in 1384, and was not finally returned to French control until 1659.

It experienced rapid industrial development during the second half of the 19th century, fueled by its rich coal resources. During World War I the front line between the opposing German and British armies in France ran through the province, resulting in enormous physical damage. In recent decades Artois has suffered with similar areas through the decline of the coal industry.

See also

• Communauté d'agglomération de l'Artois
• Battle of Artois