Population: 2.8 million

Principal city: Bordeaux

Deservedly famous for its wines and Armagnac, the southern part of the region comprises the Atlantic beaches and pine forests of the Landes stretching from Bordeaux to Biarritz. The town of Agen, the prune capital of France on the banks of the Garonne, was judged to be the happiest city in the country. Historically Aquitaine for centuries had close ties with Great Britain through commerce, marriage and conquest but after the death of Henry II of England it was gradually brought under the control of the French monarchy.

Bordeaux, Aquitaine's capital, is a port on the estuary of the Garonne in south-west France, 100km from the sea. Chef-lieu of the region of Aquitaine. Beautifully situated, it has claret-producing vineyards to the east and miles of beaches and pine forests to the south. With almost three-quarters of a million inhabitants it is France's fourth largest city. Its mayor, Chaban-Delmas was prime minister under De Gaulle and this was not unhelpful in reviving a declining town with various projects such as a new arts centre.