Hauts-de-France, Francei

Regional Level Types
Hauts-de-France	Region
France	Country

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Hauts-de-France is an administrative region in northern France, created in 2016 through the merger of the former regions of Nord–Pas-de-Calais and Picardy. It covers approximately 31,800 km² and is bordered by Belgium to the north and north-east, the English Channel to the west, and the regions of Normandy, Île-de-France, and Grand Est to the south and east. The region’s geography is characterised by low-lying plains, gently rolling plateaus, and a varied coastline along the Channel and North Sea. Major rivers include the Somme, Oise, and Escaut (Scheldt), which drain much of the region and have historically supported agriculture, industry, and transport.

Geologically, Hauts-de-France lies mainly within the Paris Basin, underlain by gently dipping Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. Cretaceous chalk is particularly widespread and forms prominent coastal cliffs, rolling uplands, and fertile agricultural soils, especially in Picardy and along the Channel coast. These chalk sequences are interbedded with marls, sands, and clays, while Quaternary deposits cover much of the lowland area, including loess, river alluvium, and coastal sediments. In the far north-east, older Palaeozoic rocks appear locally near the Belgian border, reflecting the transition toward the Variscan terrains of northern Europe.

This geological framework has supported an important mineral and extractive heritage. Hauts-de-France was historically one of France’s major coal-mining regions, particularly in the Nord–Pas-de-Calais coalfield, which played a central role in the country’s industrialisation during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Quarrying of chalk, limestone, clay, and sand has also been widespread, supplying materials for construction, cement, and brickmaking. Chalk and flint have been especially important in traditional building, while sand and gravel extraction remains economically significant along river valleys and coastal areas.

Administratively, Hauts-de-France is divided into five departments: Aisne, Nord, Oise, Pas-de-Calais, and Somme, with Lille serving as the regional capital. The region has a strong historical identity shaped by its position at the crossroads of northern Europe, its industrial and mining heritage, and landscapes marked by intensive agriculture, war, and reconstruction. Its geology has played a key role in shaping both its economy and its cultural landscape.

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.

Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

36 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities