The Clain ( French pronunciation: [klɛ̃] ; Occitan : Clen ) is a 144 km (89 mi) long river in western France, a left tributary of the river Vienne . Its source is near Hiesse , Charente .
77-544: Poitiers is a city on the river Clain in west-central France. It is a commune and the capital of the Vienne department and the historical centre of Poitou . In 2021 it had a population of 90,240. Its conurbation had 134,397 inhabitants in 2021 and is the centre of an urban area of 281,789 inhabitants. It is a city of art and history, still known as "Ville aux cent clochers" (literal translation: "City of hundred bell towers "). With more than 30,000 students, Poitiers has been
154-409: A garrison town , despite its distance from France's borders. The Poitiers train station was built in the 1850s, and connected Poitiers to the rest of France. The Hôtel de Ville (city hall) on Place du Maréchal-Leclerc was completed in 1875. Poitiers was bombed during World War II , particularly the area around the railway station which was heavily hit on 13 June 1944. From the late 1950s until
231-474: A touristic destination and as a modern university centre, and opened the town to the era of information technology. The Stade Poitevin , founded in 1900, is a multi-sports club, which fields several top-level teams in a variety of sports. These include a volleyball team that play in the French Pro A volleyball league, a basketball team, an amateur football team and a professional rugby team (as of
308-897: A few highland areas of Tasmania , and the Australian and Southern Alps . This type of climate is even found in very remote parts of the New Guinea Highlands . The classification used for this regime is Cfc. Temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) and below −20 °C (−4 °F) are rare. In the most marine areas under this regime, temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F) are extreme weather events, even during summer. Small areas in Yunnan, Sichuan ; parts of Bolivia and Peru ; and parts of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania have summers sufficiently short to be Cwc with fewer than four months over 10 °C (50 °F). This
385-503: A hill above the city. Hundreds of graduates ("Military Brats") of Poitiers American High School, a school operated by the Department of Defense School System (DODDS), have gone on to successful careers, including the recent commander-in-chief of U.S. Special Forces Command , Army General Bryan (Doug) Brown. The Caserne also housed a full support community, with a theater, commissary, recreation facilities and an affiliate radio station of
462-511: A major university city since the creation of its university in 1431, having hosted René Descartes , Joachim du Bellay and François Rabelais , among others. The centre of town is picturesque; its streets include predominantly historical architecture and half-timbered houses , especially religious architecture, mostly from the Romanesque period. The latter includes notably the baptistery of Saint-Jean ( Baptistère Saint-Jean ) (4th century),
539-514: A product and reflection of the cool ocean adjacent to them. In the autumn, winter, and early spring, when the polar jet stream is most active, the frequent passing of marine weather systems creates the frequent fog, cloudy skies, and light drizzle often associated with oceanic climates. They are typically found poleward of Mediterranean climates , except in Australia where they are poleward of both such climates and humid subtropical climates due to
616-561: A relatively narrow annual temperature range and few extremes of temperature. Oceanic climates can be found in both hemispheres generally between 40 and 60 degrees latitude, with subpolar versions extending to 70 degrees latitude in some coastal areas. Other varieties of climates usually classified together with these include subtropical highland climates , represented as Cwb or Cfb , and subpolar oceanic or cold subtropical highland climates , represented as Cfc or Cwc . Subtropical highland climates occur in some mountainous parts of
693-612: A result of their location, these regions tend to be on the cool end of oceanic climates, approaching polar regions . Snowfall tends to be more common here than in other oceanic climates. Subpolar oceanic climates are less prone to temperature extremes than subarctic climates or continental climates , featuring milder winters than these climates. Subpolar oceanic climates feature only one to three months of average monthly temperatures of at least 10 °C (50 °F). As with oceanic climates, none of its average monthly temperatures fall below -3.0 °C (26.6 °F) or 0 °C depending on
770-587: A speech given on 14 July 1595 by Maurice Roatin , the town's mayor. He compared it to the Roman state, which combined three types of government: monarchy , aristocracy , and democracy . He said the Roman consulate corresponded to Poitiers' mayor, the Roman Senate to the town's peers and échevins , and the democratic element in Rome corresponded to the fact that most important matters "can not be decided except by
847-750: A strict air-mass sense, not oceanic: they are affected by southerlies directly from the Mediterranean, and polar intrusions from Siberia. Yet their position near the Black Sea makes them too wet in summer to be Mediterranean , too mild during winter to be humid continental , and not hot enough in summer to be humid subtropical ; therefore Köppen classifies them as oceanic. Despite their anomalous position, however, their temperatures, around 4–5 °C (39–41 °F) in winter and 20–22 °C (68–72 °F) in summer, are not wholly atypical for European oceanic climates. Some Eastern European regions such as
SECTION 10
#1732765225093924-623: A vast promontory between the valleys of the Boivre and the Clain . The old town occupies the slopes and the summit of a plateau which rises 130 feet (40 m) above the streams which surround, and hence benefits from a very strong tactical situation. This was an especially important factor before and throughout the Middle Ages. Inhabitants of Poitiers are referred to as Poitevins or Poitevines, although this denomination can be used for anyone from
1001-704: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Vienne geographical article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to a river in France is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Oceanic climate An oceanic climate , also known as a marine climate or maritime climate , is the temperate climate sub-type in Köppen classification represented as Cfb , typical of west coasts in higher middle latitudes of continents, generally featuring cool to warm summers and cool to mild winters (for their latitude), with
1078-425: Is a climate variety, often grouped together with oceanic climates, which exists in some mountainous or elevated portions of the world in either the subtropics or tropics. Despite the latitude, the higher elevations of these regions mean that the climate shares characteristics with oceanic climates. Subtropical highland climates with uniform rainfall ( Cfb ) usually have rainfall spread relatively evenly throughout
1155-695: Is associated with two major battles that took place in the area. The first, in 732, also known as the Battle of Tours (to avoid confusion with the second), saw the Franks commanded by Charles Martel defeat an expeditionary army of the Umayyad Caliphate . The second , in 1356, was one of the key battles of the Hundred Years' War . It saw the defeat of a larger French royal army by the English and
1232-463: Is below 18 °C (64 °F). Without their elevation, many of these regions would likely feature either humid subtropical or tropical climates. This type of climate exists in parts of east, south and southeastern Africa , interior southern Africa and elevated portions of eastern Africa as far north as Ethiopia and of western Africa (west region of Cameroon) up to the southwestern Angola highlands also share this climate type. It also exists in
1309-571: Is climatically Mediterranean , some parts of Southern Europe also have oceanic climates. However, these instances of the climate are highly variable, and often somewhat anomalous. The north coast of Spain , the western Azores off the coast of Portugal are too wet in summer to be Mediterranean, and too mild in summer to be humid subtropical , though they often have winter means above 9 °C (48 °F), unusual for European oceanic climates. Another anomalous case can be found in northwestern Turkey, including northern Istanbul . These places are, in
1386-617: Is found in parts of coastal Iceland , the Faroe Islands , upland/mountainous parts of Scotland and Northern England , northwestern coastal areas of Norway (most of Lofoten , Vesterålen , warmest part of Tromsø reaching to 71°N on some islands), uplands/highlands in western Norway, the Aleutian Islands of Alaska and northern parts of the Alaskan Panhandle , the southwest of Argentina and Chile , and
1463-735: Is in South Africa from Mossel Bay on the Western Cape coast to Plettenberg Bay (the Garden Route ), with additional pockets of this climate inland of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal coast. It is usually warm most of the year with no pronounced rainy season, but slightly more rain in autumn and spring. The Tristan da Cunha archipelago in the South Atlantic also has an oceanic climate. Although oceanic climate
1540-400: Is more frequent and commonplace in the subpolar oceanic climates due to the colder weather in those locations. Overall temperature characteristics of the oceanic climates feature cool temperatures and infrequent extremes of temperature. In the Köppen climate classification , oceanic climates have a mean temperature of 0 °C (32 °F) or higher (or −3 °C (27 °F) or higher) in
1617-477: Is provided by a company called Vitalis. Regional ground transportation in the department of the Vienne is provided by private bus companies such as "Ligne en Vienne". Rail transportation in the region is provided by the public TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine (regional express train). From January 2009 to December 2012, Poitiers' town centre went through deep changes to make it less accessible to motor vehicles. The project, named "Projet Cœur d'Agglo", focused on re-thinking
SECTION 20
#17327652250931694-715: Is rare in Asia, subtropical highland climates and cold subtropical highland climates can be found in parts of Southwestern China , and the Himalayan regions of the northern Indian subcontinent . The oceanic climate is prevalent in the more southerly parts of Oceania . A mild maritime climate is in existence in New Zealand. In Australia, the climate is found in Tasmania , southern half of Victoria and southeastern New South Wales (southwards from Wollongong ). Some parts of
1771-547: Is said to have come from the Celtic word for elm , Lemo . After Roman influence took over, the town became known as Pictavium , or later "Pictavis", after the original Pictones inhabitants themselves. There is a rich history of archeological finds from the Roman era in Poitiers. In fact until 1857 Poitiers hosted the ruins of a vast Roman amphitheatre , which was larger than that of Nîmes . Remains of Roman baths , built in
1848-705: The Grand Banks of Newfoundland , is thought to greatly modify the climate of northwest Europe. As a result of the North Atlantic Current , west coast areas located in high latitudes like Ireland, the UK, and Norway have much milder winters (for their latitude) than would otherwise be the case. The lowland attributes of western Europe also help drive marine air masses into continental areas, enabling cities such as Dresden , Prague , and Vienna to have maritime climates in spite of being located well inland from
1925-846: The Guiana Shield , The highest elevations of the Brazilian Highlands , and due to variations in rainfall and temperature patterns in some places of the Tropical Andes in Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. Most of Yunnan and mountainous areas across Southeast Asia , parts of the Himalayas , parts of Sri Lanka , and parts of the Hawaiian Islands of Maui and Hawaii . In the Caribbean , only
2002-793: The Northern Hemisphere include parts of coastal Iceland , the coast of Norway north of Bodø , the Scottish Highlands , the mountains of Vancouver Island , and Haida Gwaii in Canada . In the Southern Hemisphere examples include extreme southern Chile and Argentina (such as Punta Arenas and Ushuaia ), the Tasmanian Central Highlands , and parts of New Zealand . Oceanic climates are not necessarily found in coastal locations on
2079-614: The Poitou province. The climate in the Poitiers area is mild with mild temperature amplitudes, and adequate rainfall throughout the year although with a drying tendency during summer. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this type of climate is " Cfb " (Marine West Coast Climate/ Oceanic climate ). Poitiers was founded by the Celtic tribe of the Pictones and was known as the oppidum Lemonum before Roman influence. The name
2156-569: The TGV Atlantique line between Paris and Bordeaux . The station is in the valley to the west of the old town centre. Services run to Angoulême , Limoges and La Rochelle in addition to Paris and Bordeaux. The direct TGV puts Poitiers 1h40 from Paris' Gare Montparnasse . Poitiers–Biard Airport is located 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) west of Poitiers with flights to Lyon—Saint Exupéry , London Stansted , Edinburgh and Shannon , Ireland on Ryanair . Urban transportation in Poitiers
2233-691: The University of Poitiers is considered to be one of the best in France. The program was ranked second by l'Étudiant magazine in 2005. Clain The Clain flows generally north, through the following departments and towns: It joins the Vienne near Châtellerault , Cenon-sur-Vienne . Among its tributaries are the Boivre , the Clouère and the Vonne . This Charente geographical article
2310-588: The University of Poitiers , before leaving for Paris. During the 17th century, many people emigrated from Poitiers and the Poitou to the French settlements in the new world and thus many Acadians or Cajuns living in North America today can trace ancestry back to this region. During the 18th century, the town's activity mainly depended on its administrative functions as a regional centre: Poitiers served as
2387-425: The subtropics or tropics , some of which have monsoon influence, while their cold variants and subpolar oceanic climates occur near polar or tundra regions. Locations with oceanic climates tend to feature frequent cloudy conditions with precipitation, low hanging clouds, and frequent fronts and storms. Thunderstorms are normally few, since strong daytime heating and hot and cold air masses meet infrequently in
Poitiers - Misplaced Pages Continue
2464-893: The subtropics . It exists in both hemispheres between 35° and 60°: at low altitudes between Mediterranean , humid continental , and subarctic climates. Western sea breezes ease temperatures and moderates the winter, especially if warm sea currents are present, and cause cloudy weather to predominate. Precipitation is constant, especially in colder months, when temperatures are warmer than elsewhere at comparable latitudes. This climate can occur farther inland if no mountain ranges are present or nearby. As this climate causes sufficient moisture year-round without permitting deep snow cover, vegetation typically prospers in this climate. Deciduous trees are predominant in this climate region. However, conifers such as spruce , pine , and cedar are also common in few areas, and fruits such as apples , pears , and grapes can often be cultivated here. In
2541-891: The third most popular amusement park in France after Disneyland Paris and the Puy du Fou . The city of Poitiers is strategically situated on the Seuil du Poitou , a shallow gap between the Armorican and the Central Massif . The Seuil du Poitou connects the Aquitaine Basin to the South to the Paris Basin to the North. This area is an important geographic crossroads in France and Western Europe. Poitiers's primary site sits on
2618-612: The 1st century and demolished in the 3rd century, were uncovered in 1877. In 1879 a burial-place and tombs of a number of Christian martyrs were discovered on the heights to the south-east of the town. The names of some of the Christians had been preserved in paintings and inscriptions. Not far from these tombs is a huge dolmen (the Pierre Levée ), which is 6.7 metres (22 ft) long, 4.9 metres (16 ft) broad and 2.1 metres (7 ft) high, and around which used to be held
2695-466: The 2008–2009 season). The PB86 or Poitiers Basket 86 (www.pb86.fr) play in the French Pro A basketball league. In the 2009–10 season, three Americans played for PB86: Rasheed Wright, Kenny Younger and Tommy Gunn. The team played the French championship playoffs in the 2009–10 season and was the Pro B French Champion for the 2008–2009 season. The team's communication strategy is considered by some to be one of
2772-659: The American Forces Network, Europe, headquartered in Frankfurt (now Mannheim , Germany ). The town benefited from industrial décentralisation in the 1970s, for instance with the installation during that decade of the Michelin and Compagnie des compteurs Schlumberger factories . The Futuroscope theme-park and research park project, built in 1986–1987 in nearby Chasseneuil-du-Poitou , after an idea by René Monory , consolidated Poitiers' place as
2849-563: The Counts of Poitiers governed a large domain, including both Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Poitou . The town was often referred to as Poictiers , a name commemorated in warships of the Royal Navy , after the battle of Poitiers. The first decisive victory of a Western European Christian army over a Muslim power, the Battle of Tours , was fought by Charles Martel 's men in the vicinity of Poitiers on 10 October 732. For many historians, it
2926-497: The advice of the Mois et Cent " (broad council). The mayor appears to have been an advocate of a mixed constitution; not all Frenchmen in 1595 would have agreed with him, at least in public; many spoke in favour of absolute monarchy . The democratic element was not as strong as the mayor's words may seem to imply: in fact, Poitiers was similar to other French cities, Paris, Nantes , Marseille , Limoges , La Rochelle , Dijon , in that
3003-424: The aforementioned parallels; however, in most cases oceanic climates parallel higher middle latitude oceans. The polar jet stream , which moves in a west to east direction across the middle latitudes, advances low pressure systems, storms, and fronts. In coastal areas of the higher middle latitudes (45–60° latitude), the prevailing onshore flow creates the basic structure of most oceanic climates. Oceanic climates are
3080-445: The best in the French basketball league. Brian Joubert , the figure skating champion, practices at Poitiers' ice rink and lives with his family in the city. Historic churches, in particular Romanesque church buildings, are the main attraction inside Poitiers itself. The town's centre is picturesque, with generally well-preserved architecture and a recently re-zoned pedestrian area. There are numerous shops, cafes and restaurants in
3157-554: The capture of John II by the victorious Prince of Wales . The Poitiers agglomeration, located halfway between Paris and Bordeaux , is home to the Futuroscope technopole , which includes major public ( CNED , Canopé, etc.) and private companies of national scope, as well as leading European research laboratories. With two million visitors annually, Futuroscope is the leading tourist site in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and
Poitiers - Misplaced Pages Continue
3234-426: The city's affairs fief from the king: that is, they swore allegiance and promised support for him, and in return he granted them local authority. This gave them the advantage of being able to claim that any townsperson who challenged their authority was being disloyal to the king. Every year the mayor and the 24 échevins would swear an oath of allegiance "between the hands" of the king or his representative, usually
3311-570: The coldest month, compared to continental climates where the coldest month has a mean temperature of below 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C (27 °F)) in the coldest month. Summers are warm but not hot, with the warmest month having a mean temperature below 22 °C (72 °F). Poleward of the latter is a subtype of it, the subpolar oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc ), with long but relatively mild (for their latitude) winters, and cool and short summers with average temperatures of at least 10 °C (50 °F) for one to three months. Examples in
3388-551: The east, and (in some locations) summers become hotter. The line between oceanic Europe and Mediterranean Europe normally runs west to east and is related to changes in precipitation patterns and differences to seasonal temperatures; although intrusions of polar air, remnants of marine air-masses, and higher summer precipitation can create oceanic climates in Eastern Europe and transcontinental regions as far south as 40°N. The oceanic climate exists in an arc spreading across
3465-635: The exposed areas of the High Atlas , some mountainous areas across southern Europe , mountainous sections of North America , including parts of the southern Appalachians and the Central America Volcanic Arc . In South America , it can be found mainly in temperate mountainous areas in the Tropical Andes , Venezuelan Coastal Range , the highest elevations of Serra do Mar in Southeastern Brazil , and tepuis of
3542-492: The first bishop of Poitiers from 350 to 367, Hilary of Poitiers or Saint Hilarius, proceeded to evangelize the town. Exiled by Constantius II , he risked death to return to Poitiers as Bishop. The first foundations of the Baptistère Saint-Jean can be traced to that era of open Christian evangelization. He was named "Doctor of The Church" by Pope Pius IX. In the 4th century, a thick wall 6m wide and 10m high
3619-414: The food supply would be adequate, visited markets. In the 16th century, Poitiers impressed visitors because of its large size, and important features, including "royal courts, university, prolific printing shops, wealthy religious institutions, cathedral, numerous parishes, markets, impressive domestic architecture, extensive fortifications, and castle." 16th-century Poitiers is closely associated with
3696-512: The great fair of Saint Luke . The Romans also built at least three aqueducts . This extensive ensemble of Roman constructions suggests Poitiers was a town of first importance, possibly even the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Aquitania during the 2nd century. As Christianity was made official and gradually introduced across the Roman Empire during the 3rd and 4th centuries,
3773-817: The hottest month, the average temperature is below 22 °C (72 °F), and at least four months feature average temperatures higher than 10 °C (50 °F). The average temperature of the coldest month must not be colder than −3–0 °C (27–32 °F), or the climate will be classified as continental. The average temperature variations in the year are between 10–15 °C (50–59 °F), with average annual temperatures between 6–13 °C (43–55 °F). Rain values can vary from 50–500 cm (20–197 in), depending on whether mountains cause orographic precipitation . Frontal cyclones can be common in marine west coast regions, with some areas experiencing more than 150 rainy days annually, but strong storms are rare. Cfb climates are predominant in most of Europe except
3850-639: The hypogeum of the Dunes (7th century), the church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande (12th century), the church of Saint-Porchaire (12th century) or Poitiers Cathedral (end of the 12th century) as well as the Palace of Poitiers , until recently a courthouse (12th century), the former palace of the Counts of Poitou , Dukes of Aquitaine , where the Queen of France and England Eleanor of Aquitaine held her court. The city's name
3927-765: The immediate west and northwest in transition for humid continental , the remainder of Cape Cod ) and northeastern Georgia both in the eastern United States . It is also found in the highest portions of the Brazilian state of Bahia and Roraima (in transition or strongly influenced for Cwb ), Brønnøy Municipality in Nordland at 65.28 °N ( Norway north-central coast), the provinces of Sabah (northeastern Malaysia ), and Baluchistan , Pakistan . Although there are more or less rare places associated with relatively isolated mountainous regions (e.g., North Oceania islands and China ). The subtropical highland climate
SECTION 50
#17327652250934004-561: The isotherm used. Typically, these areas in the warmest month experience daytime maximum temperatures below 17 °C (63 °F), while the coldest month features highs slightly above freezing and lows near or just below freezing while keeping the average warm enough. It typically carries a Cfc designation, though very small areas in Argentina and Chile have summers sufficiently short to be Cwc with fewer than four months over 10 °C (50 °F). This variant of an oceanic climate
4081-543: The late 1960s when Charles de Gaulle ended the American military presence, the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force had an array of military installations in France, including a major Army logistics and communications hub in Poitiers, part of what was called the Communication Zone (ComZ), and consisting of a logistics headquarters and communications agency located at Aboville Caserne, a military compound situated on
4158-543: The lieutenant général or the sénéchaussée. For example, in 1567, when Maixent Poitevin was mayor, king Henry III came for a visit, and, although some townspeople grumbled about the licentious behaviour of his entourage, Henry smoothed things over with a warm speech acknowledging their allegiance and thanking them for it. In this era, the mayor of Poitiers was preceded by sergeants wherever he went, consulted deliberative bodies, carried out their decisions, "heard civil and criminal suits in first instance", tried to ensure that
4235-443: The life of François Rabelais and with the community of Bitards . The town saw less activity during the Renaissance . Few changes were made in the urban landscape, except for laying way for the rue de la Tranchée . Bridges were built where the inhabitants had used gués . A few hôtels particuliers were built at that time, such as the hôtels Jean Baucé, Fumé and Berthelot. Poets Joachim du Bellay and Pierre Ronsard met at
4312-426: The north of Croatia and Serbia and some parts of the Czech Republic , also have oceanic climates; these are generally near the boundary for being humid continental . The line between oceanic and continental climates in Europe runs in a generally north to south direction. For example, western Germany is more impacted by milder Atlantic air masses than eastern Germany. Thus, winters across Europe become colder to
4389-573: The northeast, as global temperatures became warmer towards late 20th and early 21st century. They are the main climate type in New Zealand and the Australian states of Tasmania , Victoria , and southeastern New South Wales (starting from the Illawarra region). In North America, they are found mainly in Vancouver Island and neighbouring parts of British Columbia , as well as many coastal areas of southeast Alaska . There are pockets of this iteration of Cfb climates in South American countries, mostly in regions of southern Chile and Argentina, parts of
4466-539: The northeastern coast of Honshu , such as Mutsu, Aomori in Japan, feature this climate, which is rare in Asia due to the lack of a west coast in the middle latitudes. Île Amsterdam and Île Saint-Paul , both part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands , are located in the subtropics and have an oceanic climate (akin to Tristan da Cunha; see above). Temperate oceanic climates, also known as "marine mild winter" climates or simply oceanic climates, are found either at middle latitudes . They are often found on or near
4543-513: The northwestern coast of North America from the Alaskan panhandle to northern Washington . In addition, some east coast areas such as Block Island , Cape Cod , Martha's Vineyard , and Nantucket have a similar climate. And in the highlands of Central and South America with the variant Cfb. An extensive area of oceanic climates distinguishes the coastal regions of southern Chile and extends into bordering Argentina . The only noteworthy area of maritime climate at or near sea-level within Africa
4620-578: The ocean. Oceanic climates in Europe occupy a large stretch of land, from Norway 's Atlantic coast, Ireland and the United Kingdom and southeast to some parts of Turkey . Western Europe is almost exclusively oceanic between 45°N to 54.913°N; including most of France (away from the Mediterranean), nearly all of Belgium , the Netherlands , Austria , most of Luxembourg , most of Denmark , western Germany , northwestern Switzerland , south coast and western areas of Norway north to Skrova and extreme southern Sweden . While most of Southern Europe
4697-547: The peaks in the highest mountain ranges have this climate (including the Blue Mountains in Jamaica and Cerro Maravilla in Puerto Rico ), with only Hispaniola 's Cordillera Central and Chaîne de la Selle having significant urban settlements under this climate zone, such as cities like Kenscoff in Haiti and Constanza in the Dominican Republic . Areas with subpolar oceanic climates feature an oceanic climate but are usually located closer to polar regions, with long but relatively mild winters and short, cool summers. As
SECTION 60
#17327652250934774-421: The provinces of Chubut , Santa Cruz , and southeast Buenos Aires province in Argentina. In Western Asia , the climate can be found on the Black Sea coast of northern Turkey and Georgia , often transitional to humid subtropical . While Cfb zones are rare in Africa, one dominates the coastline of the Eastern Cape in South Africa . The climate subtype can also be found in Nantucket , Massachusetts (in
4851-419: The regions, but are more common in subtropical highland climates where these air masses meet more frequently due to the influence of hotter weather in the subtropics or tropics, especially in monsoon-influenced climates. In most areas with an oceanic climate, precipitation comes in the form of rain for the majority of the year. Most oceanic climate zones, however, experience at least one snowfall per year. Snowfall
4928-484: The seat for the regional administration of royal justice, the évêché, the monasteries and the intendance of the Généralité du Poitou . The Vicomte de Blossac , intendant of Poitou from 1750 to 1784, had a French garden landscaped in Poitiers. He also had Aliénor d'Aquitaine 's ancient wall razed and modern boulevards were built in its place. During the 19th century, many army bases were built in Poitiers because of its central and strategic location. Poitiers became
5005-436: The shape of the continent. Only in Europe do they penetrate far inland, where they eventually transition into warm-summer humid continental climates ; in other continents, they are blocked by a large mountain range or limited by nearby oceans. The North Atlantic Gulf Stream , a tropical oceanic current that passes north of the Caribbean and up the East Coast of the United States to North Carolina , then heads east-northeast to
5082-470: The town centre. Since 1987, Poitiers' tourist industry has indirectly benefited from the Futuroscope theme-park and research park in nearby Chasseneuil-du-Poitou . The centre of town receives visits in complement to the theme-park and benefits from a larger proportion of European tourists, notably from the United Kingdom. In conjunction, Poitiers' tourism has directly benefited from the TGV high-speed rail link to Paris. Poitiers' railway station lies on
5159-439: The town had its share of the violent proceedings which underlined the Wars of Religion throughout France. In 1569 Poitiers was defended by Gui de Daillon, comte du Lude, against Gaspard de Coligny , who after an unsuccessful bombardment and seven weeks, retired from a siege he had laid to the town. The type of political organisation existing in Poitiers during the late medieval or early modern period can be glimpsed through
5236-399: The town thus came under Frankish dominion. During most of the Early Middle Ages , the town of Poitiers took advantage of its defensive tactical site and of its location, which was far from the centre of Frankish power. As the seat of an évêché (bishopric) since the 4th century, the town was a centre of some importance and the capital of the Poitou county. At the height of their power,
5313-406: The town's governing body ( corps de ville ) was "highly exclusive and oligarchical": a small number of professional and family groups controlled most of the city offices. In Poitiers many of these positions were granted for the lifetime of the office holder. The city government in Poitiers based its claims to legitimacy on the theory of government where the mayor and échevins held jurisdiction of
5390-448: The tropics, a subtropical highland climate typically features mild weather year-round. Temperatures there remain relatively constant throughout the year and snowfall is seldom seen due to warmer winters than most oceanic climates. Areas with this climate feature monthly averages below 22 °C (72 °F) but above either 0 °C (32 °F) or −3 °C (27 °F) depending on isotherm used. At least one month's average temperature
5467-399: The war in 1418, under duress, the royal parliament moved from Paris to Poitiers, where it remained in exile until the Plantagenets finally withdrew from the capital in 1436. During this interval, in 1429 Poitiers was the site of Joan of Arc 's formal inquest. The University of Poitiers was founded in 1431. During and after the Reformation, John Calvin had numerous converts in Poitiers and
5544-426: The way people use individual cars to access the town centre and as an everyday way of transportation. On 29 September 2010, 12 streets were permanently closed off to motor vehicles and transformed into an entirely pedestrian zone. Eventually, a new line of fast buses will be added around 2017. The city of Poitiers has a very old tradition as a university centre, starting in the Middle Ages. The University of Poitiers
5621-414: The west coast of continents; hence another name for Cfb, "marine west coast climates". In addition to moderate temperatures year-round, one of the characteristics is the absence of a dry season. Except for Europe , this type of climate is confined to narrow bands of territory, largely in mid or high latitudes, although it can appear in elevated areas of continental terrain in low latitudes, e.g. plateaus in
5698-571: The year, similar to other oceanic climates, but unlike these climates, they have a high diurnal temperature variation and low humidity, owing to their inland location and relatively high elevation. Subtropical highland climates with monsoon influence ( Cwb ) have distinctive wet summers and dry winters . In locations outside the tropics, other than the drying trend in the winter, subtropical highland climates tend to be essentially identical to an oceanic climate, with mild summers and noticeably cooler winters, plus, in some instances, some snowfall. In
5775-506: Was built around the town. It was 2.5 km (2 mi) long and stood lower on the naturally defended east side and at the top of the promontory. Around this time, the town began to be known as Poitiers. Fifty years later Poitiers fell into the hands of the Arian Visigoths , and became one of the principal residences of their kings. Visigoth King Alaric II was defeated by Clovis I at Vouillé , not far from Poitiers, in 507, and
5852-547: Was established in 1431 and has welcomed many famous philosophers and scientists throughout the ages (notably François Rabelais ; René Descartes ; Francis Bacon ; Samir Amin ). Today Poitiers has more students per inhabitant than any other large town or city in France. All around, there are over 27,000 university students in Poitiers, nearly 4,000 of which are foreigners, hailing from 117 countries. The University covers all major fields from sciences to geography , history , languages economics and law . The law degree at
5929-477: Was one of the world's pivotal moments. Eleanor of Aquitaine frequently resided in the town, which she embellished and fortified, and in 1199 entrusted with communal rights. In 1152 she married the future King Henry II of England in Poitiers Cathedral . During the Hundred Years' War , the Battle of Poitiers , an English victory, was fought near the town of Poitiers on 19 September 1356. Later in
#92907