Amiens, city in northern France, capital of Somme Department, on the Somme River, the historical capital of Picardy. The city has been a textile center since the 16th century; other manufactures include machinery, metal goods, chemicals, and perfumes. Of note is the Cathedral of Notre Dame (1220-70), the largest Gothic cathedral in France; it is 143 m (470 ft) long, and its nave is 43 m (140 ft) high. Amiens is the seat of the University of Picardy (1965).
The city was a center of the Ambiani Gauls, from whom its name is derived, and it later was a Roman settlement. For centuries Amiens was a major fortress, guarding Paris from attack from the north. The fortifications are now boulevards, but the old citadel still stands. An Anglo-French truce was agreed to here in 1264, and the Treaty of Amiens, resulting in a brief respite in fighting between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars, was signed in the city in 1802. During the Franco-Prussian War, the Germans defeated the French at Amiens in November 1870. The city was captured by the Germans in World Wars I and II. Population (1999) 135,501.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Amiens Information info
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