Banyuls-sur-Mer
Encyclopedia : B : BA : BAN : Banyuls-sur-Mer
| Banyuls-sur-Mer | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Région | Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Départment | Pyrénées-Orientales |
| Arrondissement | Céret |
| Canton | Côte Vermeille |
| INSEE | 66016 |
| Postal Code | 66650 |
| Mayor Current Term | Roger Rulls 2001-2008 |
| Intercommunality | |
| Longitude | 03° 07' 41" E |
| Latitude | 42° 28' 59" N |
| Altitudes | average : 6 m minimum : 0 m maximum : 965 m |
| Area | 42.43 km² |
| Population without double-counting | 4,532 inhab. (1999) |
| Population Density | 106 inhab./km² |
Geography
Banyuls-sur-Mer is neighboored by Cerbère, Port-Vendres, Argelès-sur-Mer and Collioure. The region is known for its wines, such as the sweet wine Banyuls. An aquatic museum with aquarium is located in the town. The foothills of Pyrenees, the Monts Albères, run into the Mediterranean Sea in Banyuls-sur-Mer, creating a steep cliff line.Name
Banyuls-sur-Mer was first mentioned in 981 as Balneum or Balneola. In 1074, the town starts being called Bannils de Maritimo in order to distinguish it from Banyuls-dels-Aspres, which lies 20 km away. In 1197, the town is mentioned as Banullis de Maredine and in 1674. In Catalan, it has been called Banyuls de la Marenda, since the 19th century.The name Banyuls indicates the presence of a pond. In fact, a pond did it exist in Banyuls-sur-Mer until the creek Vallauria was drained in 1872. The term Marenda in Catalan or sur Mer in French merely indicates the proximity to the coast.
History
For two centuries, Banyuls-sur-Mer played an important role in the smuggle in the region. Depending on the needs of the time, salt, tobacco, sugar, rice, drapery, and leather were smuggled through this city, almost always without consequences. Meanwhile the inhabitants lived mainly from fishing and winegrowing. Nowadays, tourism also plays a significant economic role.
Important persons from Banyuls-sur-Mer
- Aristide Maillol, French sculptor and painter
References
- This article is based on a translation of an article from the [German Wikipedia].
External links
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.