Austin Akbari French 111 Best Cultural post 12-03-2013

The region of Languedoc Roussillon is located on the coast in the outh of France! "u#ans ha$e inhabited it for thousands of %ears! &t's location on the coast has been critical for it thri$ing for such a long period of ti#e! The region began to gro( (hen it beca#e an i#portant port along the trade route for )reeks and Ro#ans* and architecture fro# these cultures can be seen in the region toda%!

+uring the #iddle ages there (ere lots of po(er struggles #ainl% o$er religion! The Catholic Church (as the #ain religious influence in this ti#e! ,an% of the castles and ruins can still be seen on hilltops! &n the 1-th . 1/th centuries the unrest slo(ed and religious peace settled in the region!

Around the time of the industrial revolution, textile industries developed in Languedoc Roussillon which caused many of the cities to grow in vast proportions in addition to more modern infrastructure for the time. During this same period the cultivation of wine and many vineyards began to develop in the region which is the main source of industry today. The Languedoc-Roussillon region has grown into one of the most plentiful wine producing regions in Europe with over 750,000 acres of vineyards. The Mediterranean climate and suitable soils make this area almost perfect to cultivate wine.

Toda% this historicall% rich region is a popular tourist destination! &t is a (onderful area to $isit (ith spralling countr% side* beautiful beaches* and a desirable %ear round cli#ate!