Arras, city in northern France, capital of Pas-de-Calais Department, on the Scarpe River. It is a farm-trade, manufacturing, and transportation center, and its products include metal goods, machinery, and clothing.
Arras is of Gallo-Roman origin, and it was an important seat of banking and trade in the 12th century. The city became the capital of the province of Artois in 1237, and it subsequently came under French, Burgundian, Austrian, and Spanish rule. The Treaty of Arras, ending hostilities between Burgundy and France, was signed here in 1435. During the Middle Ages, the city was noted for its beautiful tapestries, and from the 17th to the 19th century it was known for its lace. Because of its strategic location, Arras was the scene of several battles in World War I. It was badly damaged in World War II. Population (1999) 40,590.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Arras Information info
|
