Comité départemental du Tourisme des Landes

Population:
There are more than 337,000 inhabitants in « Les Landes ». The population growth rate between 1996 and 2002 (+0, 8 % per year) ranks the department as the number one in the region.

Industry:
1st industrial department in Aquitaine. The industry in « Les Landes » leads the local economy and comprises 4 sectors:
- Wood and paper activities,
- Agro-food industry,
- Chemistry, plastic and wrapping,
- Mechanics for aeronautics.

Agriculture :
More than 93 % of the land is used for agricultural purposes (244 000 ha) or is forested (632 000 ha)
60 % of the Gascogne forest (the largest forest in Europe) is located in « Les Landes”.

The agricultural sector is the leader for several products and it offers a large range of high quality products (« signes et labels »).

Environment:

Preserving remarkable water areas  
The perpetual cleaning of the coast 
The shore-rangers brigade

Tourism :
 « Les Landes » has a large tourist vocation. Each year, more than 2 million people, amongst whom 400,000 are foreigners, come and enjoy their holiday in « Les Landes ».

Thermalism:
1st thermal department in France “Les Landes » comes first amongst the thermal departments in France, before the « Savoie », the « Hérault » and the « Pyrénées Orientales », welcoming 76,000 hydrotherapy visitors in 2003.