However, the Centre region is not situated in the geographical centre of France (except the Cher department). The name was criticised as being too dull and nondescript.[citation needed] Proposed names for the region included Val de Loire after the Loire Valley (the main feature of the region) or Cœur de Loire (Heart of Loire).[citation needed] On 17 January 2015, as part of the reorganisation of French regions, the region's official name was changed to Centre-Val de Loire.[3]Val de Loire is associated with positive images of the Loire Valley, such as the châteaux, the gentle and refined lifestyle, wine, as well as the mild and temperate climate, all of which attract many tourists to the region. A new logo was also created.
Geography
The regions Centre-Val de Loire and Île-de-France and their departments on the background of historical provinces
The gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 72.4 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 3.1% of French economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 25,200 euros or 84% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 99% of the EU average.[4]
An economic development agency, called Centréco, was created in 1994 by the Regional Council of Centre to promote the inflow of investments and the establishment of new businesses by French and foreign companies in the Centre region. This contributes to a mission of economic promotion, international support to regional companies, and the promotion of regional agrofood products via a regional signature, du Centre.
