Editing Brittany (section)

==Geography and natural history==
[[File:Bretagne Cote granit rose 01.jpg|thumb|The [[Côte de Granit Rose|Pink Granite Coast]] around [[Trégastel]]]]
Brittany is the largest French [[peninsula]]. It is around {{convert|34030|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and stretches toward the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered to the north by the [[English Channel]], to the south by the [[Bay of Biscay]] and the waters located between the western coast and [[Ushant]] Island form the [[Iroise Sea]].

The Breton coast is very indented, with many cliffs, [[ria]]s and [[Cape (geography)|cape]]s. The [[Gulf of Morbihan]] is a vast [[natural harbour]] with some forty islands that is almost a closed sea. In total, around 800 islands lie off the mainland; the largest being [[Belle Île]], in the south. Brittany has over {{convert|2860|km|mi|abbr=on}} of coastline; it represents a third of the total French coastline.

The region is generally hilly because it corresponds to the western end of the [[Armorican Massif]], a very old range that also extends in [[Normandy]] and the [[Pays de la Loire]] region. Because of this continuity, the Breton border with the rest of France is not marked by any strong geographical landmark, apart from the river [[Couesnon]], which separates Brittany from [[Normandy]].

[[File:L'ELLez près de sa source.jpg|thumb|left|A [[bog]] around the [[Monts d'Arrée]]]]
The Armorican Massif reaches its maximum elevation outside of Brittany, in neighbouring [[Mayenne]], at 417 m, and slopes towards the west before straightening on its western extremity, with the [[Montagnes Noires]] and the [[Monts d'Arrée]]. The highest hill in Brittany is the ''Roc'h Ruz'' in the Monts d'Arrée, at {{convert|385|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It is closely followed by several neighbouring hills culminating at around 384 m above sea level.<ref>{{cite web |editor=Plouméour-Ménez |title=Le Roc'h RUZ, point culminant de la Bretagne |trans-title=Roc'h Ruz, the highest point in Brittany. |url=http://www.plouneour-menez.fr/fr/patrimoine-naturel.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612003008/http://www.plouneour-menez.fr/fr/patrimoine-naturel.php |archive-date=12 June 2013 |access-date=28 February 2013}}</ref>

Coastal areas are usually named ''Armor'' or ''Arvor'' ("by the sea" in Breton), and the inland is called ''Argoat'' ("by the forest"). The best soils were primitively covered by large forests which had been progressively replaced by [[bocage]] during the [[Middle Ages]]. The Breton bocage, with its small fields enclosed by thick hedgerows, has almost disappeared since the 1960s to fit the modern agricultural needs and methods, particularly mechanisation.

Several forests still exist, such as the [[Paimpont forest]], sometimes said to be the Arthurian [[Brocéliande]]. The poor and rocky areas are covered by large [[heathland]] and [[moorland]]s, and Brittany has several [[marsh]]es, like the [[Brière]], included in a [[regional natural park]]. Another regional park encompasses the [[Monts d'Arrée]] and the [[Iroise]] seacoast. The Iroise Sea is also a [[Man and the Biosphere Programme|UNESCO biosphere reserve]].

===Geology===
[[File:Bretagne Finistere PointeduRaz15119.jpg|thumb|The [[Pointe du Raz]], one of the westernmost extents of both Brittany and Metropolitan France]]
The Breton peninsula appeared during the [[Cadomian Orogeny]], which formed its northern coastline, between [[Guingamp]] and [[Fougères]]. The southern part emerged during the [[Hercynian orogeny]]. At the same time, an intense volcanic activity left large quantities of [[granite]]. Between the Cadomian and Hercynian periods, the region was submerged several times and the sea left [[fossil]]s and [[sedimentary rock]]s, mostly [[schist]] and [[sandstone]]. Because of the absence of [[limestone]], soils in Brittany are usually acid.

The [[Armorican massif]] straightened and flattened several times during the formation of the [[Pyrenees]] and the [[Alps]]. Changes in sea levels and climate led to a strong erosion and to the formation of more [[sedimentary rock]]s. [[Metamorphism]] is responsible for the distinctive local blue schist and for the rich [[subsoil]] of the [[Groix|Groix island]], which comprises [[glaucophane]] and [[epidote]].<ref name="geology">{{cite web|url=http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Sous-sol/Le-contexte-breton/Histoire-geologique|title=L'histoire géologique de la Bretagne|editor=Portail de l'information environnementale en Bretagne|author=Emmanuèle Savelli|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320132724/http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Sous-sol/Le-contexte-breton/Histoire-geologique|archive-date=20 March 2013}}</ref>

During the [[Quaternary]] glaciations, Brittany was covered by [[loess]] and rivers started to fill the valleys with alluvial deposits. The valleys themselves were a result of a strong tectonic activity between the [[African Plate|African]] and the [[Eurasian Plate]]. The present Breton landscape did not acquire its final shape before one million years ago. The Breton subsoil is characterised by a huge amount of [[fracture (geology)|fractures]] that form a large [[aquifer]] containing several millions square meters of water.<ref name="geology"/>

===Climate===
Brittany lies within the [[north temperate zone]]. It has a changeable, [[maritime climate]], similar to [[Cornwall]]. Rainfall occurs regularly but sunny, cloudless days are also common. In the summer months, temperatures in the region can reach {{convert|30|°C|°F|0}}, yet the climate remains comfortable, especially when compared to the French regions located south of the [[Loire]]. The temperature difference between summer and winter is about 15 degrees, but it varies depending on the proximity of the sea. The weather is generally milder on the seacoast than inland but rainfall occurs with the same intensity on both. The [[Monts d'Arrée]], despite their low elevation, have much more rainfall than the rest of the region. The south coast, between [[Lorient]] and [[Pornic]], enjoys more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Normales et records des stations météo de France – Infoclimat |trans-title=Normals and records of weather stations in France – Infoclimat. |url=http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/index.php?s=&d= |access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
{{See also|Equestrianism in Brittany}}[[File:Poissonlune mole2.jpg|thumb|An [[ocean sunfish]] exhibiting its characteristic horizontal basking behaviour several miles off [[Penmarch]]]]
Brittany's wildlife is typical of France with several distinctions. On one hand, the region, due to its long coastline, has a rich oceanic fauna, and some birds cannot be seen in other French regions. On the other hand, the species found in the inland are usually common for France, and because Brittany is a peninsula, the number of species is lower in its western extremity than in the eastern part.

A variety of seabirds can be seen close to the seaside, which is home to colonies of [[Great cormorant|cormorants]], [[European herring gull|gulls]], [[razorbill]]s, [[northern gannet]]s, [[common murre]]s and [[Atlantic puffin]]s. Most of these birds breed on isolated islands and rocks and thus are hard to observe. The inland is home to common European species including [[pheasant]]s, [[barn swallow]]s, [[Eurasian woodcock|woodcocks]], [[common swift]]s, and [[Grey partridge|partridges]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2005 |editor=Bretagne Environnement |title=Les oiseaux marins: des falaises, des îlots, des embruns et des plumes |trans-title=Seabirds: cliffs, islets, sea spray, and feathers |url=http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-faune/Les-oiseaux/Les-oiseaux-marins/Les-oiseaux-marins-des-falaises-des-ilots-des-embruns-et-des-plumes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320111558/http://bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-faune/Les-oiseaux/Les-oiseaux-marins/Les-oiseaux-marins-des-falaises-des-ilots-des-embruns-et-des-plumes |archive-date=20 March 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Horse trait breton 5622.jpg|left|thumb|A [[Breton horse]]]]
Like [[Cornwall]], [[Wales]] and Ireland, the waters of Brittany attract marine animals including [[basking shark]]s, [[grey seal]]s, [[leatherback turtle]]s, dolphins, [[porpoise]]s, [[jellyfish]], crabs and [[lobster]]s. [[Bass (fish)|Bass]] is common along the coast, [[small-spotted catshark]]s live on the [[continental shelf]], [[rattail]]s and [[anglerfish]] populate the deep waters. River fish of note include [[trout]], [[Atlantic salmon]], [[northern pike|pikes]], shades and [[lamprey]]s. The Breton rivers are also home to [[European beaver|beaver]]s and [[Eurasian otter|otter]]s and to some invasive American species, such as the [[coypu]] which destroys the ecosystem and accelerated the extinction of the [[European mink]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-faune/Les-mammiferes/Les-mammiferes-semi-aquatiques|title=Les mammifères semi-aquatiques|year=2005|editor=Bretagne Environnement|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325002324/http://bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-faune/Les-mammiferes/Les-mammiferes-semi-aquatiques|archive-date=25 March 2013}}</ref>

Among the invertebrates, Brittany is notably home to the [[escargot de Quimper]], the [[freshwater pearl mussel]] and the [[white-clawed crayfish]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2005 |editor=Bretagne Environnement |title=Que sait-on des invertébrés continentaux en Bretagne ? |trans-title=What do we know about continental invertebrates in Brittany? |url=http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-faune/Les-invertebres/Les-invertebres-continentaux/Que-sait-on-des-invertebres-continentaux-en-Bretagne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516093510/http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-faune/Les-invertebres/Les-invertebres-continentaux/Que-sait-on-des-invertebres-continentaux-en-Bretagne |archive-date=16 May 2013}}</ref> The larger Breton mammals died out during the modern period, including the [[wolf]]. Today, mammals of note include [[roe deer]], [[wild boar]], foxes, [[hare]]s and several species of [[bat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-faune/Les-mammiferes|title=Les mammifères|year=2005|editor=Bretagne Environnement|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125035427/http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-faune/Les-mammiferes|archive-date=25 January 2013}}</ref>

Brittany is widely known for the [[Breton horse]], a local breed of [[draft horse]], and for the [[Brittany (dog)|Brittany gun dog]]. The region also has its own breeds of cattle, some of which are on the brink of extinction: the [[Bretonne Pie Noir]], the [[Froment du Léon]], the [[Armorican (cattle)|Armorican]] and the Nantaise.

The Breton forests, dunes, moorlands and marshes are home to several iconic plants, such as endemic [[cistus]], [[aster (genus)|aster]] and [[linaria]] varieties, the [[horseshoe vetch]] and the [[lotus maritimus]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2006 |editor=Bretagne Environnement |title=Les plantes à fleur menacées en Bretagne |trans-title=Flowering plants threatened in Brittany |url=http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-flore/Les-plantes-a-fleurs-menacees |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126021031/http://www.bretagne-environnement.org/Patrimoine-naturel/La-flore/Les-plantes-a-fleurs-menacees |archive-date=26 January 2013}}</ref>