Where would you expect to find a region called Brittany? The British Isles would be a good guess. But Brittany is actually the name of a region in northwestern France!
This region is called Brittany because it was inhabited by Britons, the Celtic people who lived in England before that land was invaded by Anglo-Saxons from Germany. People related to the Britons had lived in this area since the Stone Age.
Then in the fifth and six centuries, Celtic people fleeing the Anglo-Saxon invasions of England crossed the English Channel and settled in the region we now call Brittany. These people kept many of their Celtic customs, and they fought off the French for several centuries. Brittany did not truly become part of France until the fifteenth century!
The people who settled in Brittany also kept their language, and that tongue has survived until today. The language, called Breton, is related to Irish and Welsh.
The coastal region of Brittany is called Armor, “country of the sea,” and here fishing is the main activity. The interior of Brittany is known as Argoat, “country of the woods,” and here farming is the main activity. Brittany is especially noted for its apples.
Related Posts
-
Why Is the South of Britain Sinking and North Britain Rising and What Causes the Earth’s Crust To Sink?
Yes, it is true that South Britain is sinking. It's the result of a process called isostatic rebound. Since the last ice age, a huge burden of ice has been removed from the…
-
What Is the Difference Between the United Kingdom and Great Britain and Is Ireland Part of Great Britain?
The United Kingdom is almost the same as Great Britain, but not quite. Great Britain refers to the island that contains England, Wales, and Scotland. It's the eighth largest island in the world.…
-
Where Is the Maghreb Region of Africa Located and What Does the Name Maghreb Mean In Arabic?
The Maghreb, an Arabic word meaning "west" or "place of sunset", refers to northwestern Africa. This part of the continent was conquered by the Arabs in the seventh century and remains Arabic in…
-
How do bugs survive in cold temperatures in the Arctic region?
It's a good question. It gets unbelievably cold in the Arctic, down to an average temperature of 90 degrees below zero, with a windchill factor like you wouldn't believe. The animals living in…
-
What Countries Make Up the World Region Called Oceania and How Many Islands Are There In Oceania?
There are 13 independent countries in Oceania: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Several other islands…
-
Which States Make Up the Region Called New England and How Did New England Get Its Name?
New England consists of six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Captain John Smith named the region New England while exploring the northeastern coast in 1614. In 1686 the…
