The capital wasCoutances until 1796, and it resumed that role afterWorld War II because of the almost complete destruction ofSaint-Lô during theBattle of Normandy followingD-Day. When Saint-Lô was rebuilt, it once again became the capital.
The region is lush and green with sandy beaches and remains oriented towards farming. The peninsula was originally joined as a single land mass toCornwall andDorset in England, meaning that the underlyinggeological strata of both regions are very similar. However, there are substantial regional differences today in terms of flora and fauna, and farming practices have varied considerably between the United Kingdom and France. Flat marsh areas in the department attract many bird-watchers. The region in and around St Lô is also the equestrian capital of France, where the cooler climate compared to the south is ideal for breeding and training.
The most populous commune isCherbourg-en-Cotentin; and the prefectureSaint-Lô is the second-most populous. As of 2019, there are six communes with more than 10,000 inhabitants:[3]
The climate isoceanic with relatively mild winters in which temperatures go below zero only for a few days. Summer temperatures are usually around 20 °C, and can occasionally reach 35 °C in direct sunlight. Precipitation is heavy but varies greatly by region, from 700mm on the coast to 1300mm in the southern central area. Highly localised but not life-threatening flash flooding has been experienced during the last few springs.
The west coast benefits from the influence of theGulf Stream and this has enabled the naturalization of Mediterranean and exotic plants such as mimosas, palms, and agaves.
There is often a sea breeze on the coast, which combined with tides, contributes to rapid temperature changes in the course of a single day. Sea temperatures can be very pleasant for swimming between June and October.
Football: main clubs:AS Cherbourg, US Avranches, FC Saint-Lô, US Granville, CS Villedieu, FC Équeurdreville-Hainneville...
Cycling: theTour de France has visited the department 21 times with stages ending at Cherbourg (16), Avranches (2), Granville (1), Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët (1), and the Mont-Saint-Michel (1).
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