Grande-Synthe

Grande-Synthe
Grande-Synthe in the arrondissement of Dunkirk
Grande-Synthe
Location within Nord-Pas-de-Calais region  Grande-Synthe
Coordinates: 51°00′50″N 2°18′10″E / 51.0139°N 2.3028°ECoordinates: 51°00′50″N 2°18′10″E / 51.0139°N 2.3028°E
Country	France
Region	Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie
Department	Nord
Arrondissement	Dunkerque
Canton	Grande-Synthe
Intercommunality	Dunkerque grand littoral
Government
• Mayor (2001–2008)	Damien Carème
Area^1	21.44 km^2 (8.28 sq mi)
Population (1999)^2	23,247
• Density	1,100/km^2 (2,800/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	59271 / 59760
^1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. ^2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Town hall of Grande-Synthe

Grande-Synthe is a commune in the Nord department in the Nord-Pas de Calais region in northern France.

It is the third-largest suburb of the city of Dunkerque (Dunkirk) and lies adjacent to it on the west.

History

In 1980, a large part of Petite-Synthe was detached from Dunkerque and included in Grande-Synthe.

Heraldry

The arms of Grande-Synthe are blazoned : Azure, a fleur de lys Or, and on a chief argent a lion passant sable.

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Grande-Synthe is twinned with:

• Suwałki in Poland

Personalities

• Remy Vercoutre footballer

Transport

• Gare de Grande-Synthe railway station.

See also

• Communes of the Nord department

References

• INSEE commune file

Notes

External links

• Official website
• Grande-Synthe website (in French)