III.

Population

Lorraine has 2,343,000 inhabitants (2007 estimate), with an average population density of 99 people per sq km (256 per sq mi). The administrative centre is the historic city of Metz (population, 2005 estimate, 124,500), located in the north of the region. Around 45 km (28 mi) to the south is Nancy (2005 estimate, 105,400), an important industrial and manufacturing centre. Other major cities and towns include Thionville (2005 estimate, 42,100); Épinal (2005 estimate, 35,100); Saint-Dié (2005 estimate, 21,900); Lunéville (2005 estimate, 19,400); and Verdun (1999, 19,624).

Higher education opportunities in the region include the University of Metz (1971) and the universities of Nancy I and II (founded 1572, reorganized 1970). Three large public squares in Nancy—the Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière, and Place d'Alliance—were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. The village of Domrémy, about 40 km (25 mi) south-west of Nancy, was the birthplace of St Joan of Arc. A large military cemetery and memorial to US soldiers who lost their lives during World War II is located in the town of Saint-Avold.