'Côtes-du-Nord' is a department located in the northwestern part of France that was one of the original 83 departments created in March 1790 during the French Revolution. The department was formed from a part of the former province of Brittany. In 1990, the department's name changed to Côtes-d'Armor, which means 'by the sea' in Breton, the province's second most widely spoken language. The name Côtes-d'Armor has historical significance as it recalls the Roman province of Armorica, which was located in the same area. The department is numbered 22 and is part of the current administrative region of Bretagne. It is surrounded by the departments of Finistère, Morbihan, and Ille-et-Vilaine, with the English Channel to the north. The locals are called Costarmoricains, and the capital city is Saint Brieuc.
The department is characterised by an undulating plateau with three well-marked ranges of hills in the south. A granitoid chain, the Monts du Méné, starts from the south-east of the department and runs north-westerly, forming the watershed between rivers running respectively to the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. Towards its western extremity, this chain bifurcates to develop the Montagnes Noires in the southwest and the Mont d'Arrée in the west of the department. Off the coast, which is steep, rocky, and much indented, are the Jentilez, Bréhat, and other small islands. The principal bays are those of Saint-Malo and Saint-Brieuc.
The Breton language has become a contentious issue in many parts of Brittany, and many Breton speakers advocate for bilingual schools. In addition to Breton, Gallo is spoken in the East and offered as a language in schools and on the baccalaureate exams. The western part of the department is part of the traditionally Breton-speaking Lower Brittany, which is why the language is an integral part of the local culture. However, due to various historical and political reasons, the use of the language has declined in recent years, leading to concerns about its preservation.
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