User:Reesehanson/sandbox/Nice

The top portion is the closest this page had to a demographics section. I hope to refocus this section to give more information on social identity of Nice. My addition of the demographics section is what I think should replace the population section above it.

Population
The metropolitan area of Nice, defined by INSEE, is home to 888,784 inhabitants (fifth most populous in France) and its urban area totals 933,080 inhabitants, which makes it the sixth largest in France.

Since the 1970s, the number of inhabitants has not changed significantly; the relatively high migration to Nice is compensated by a natural negative growth of the population.

Population Breakdown
With a population of 342,522 people, Nice is France's 5th largest city. Nice has an annual growth rate of .29% the French national growth rate is .4%. The local migrant population making up 17.8% of the city population, the french national average is at 12.3% foreign born. Many of this migrant population includes those emigrating from former french holdings, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. Another substantial non-french descent population within Nice is that of Russian descent. A popular destination for emigrating Russian Nationals since the reign of Czar Alexander II.

Religion
Catholicism is the dominate religion in the region, with Nice and the surrounding areas falling under the Diocese of Nice and Bishop André Marceau. The Diocese first being put in place in the 3rd century CE and now serving 778,000 Catholics out of the 1.2 million people within the Diocese territory. There are many churches and cathedrals in Nice. Many dating back over 500 years ago, several prominent examples are Saint Marie Madeleine church, Cimiez Convent, and the Abbaye de Lerins Monastery dating back to the 5th century.

The substantial migrant population of former french holdings Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco are predominately of the Islamic faith. Islam is the 2nd largest religion in size of following in the region behind Catholicism. There are several mosques across Nice, the most prominent being, Mosque AlBaraka, Mosque AR-rahma, Mosque al-Juma. A majority of the mosques are located in the primarily migrant neighborhoods that include Ariane and Les Moulins.

The Orthodox faith has a prominent presence in the form of the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. A Russian Orthodox cathedral built by Czar Nicholas II in 1912 on land owned by the Russian government. This Russian Orthodox population was first established following the Russian defeat in the Crimean War. The defeat forcing the Russians to find a new base for their Mediterranean fleet and finding it in Nice first with the Kingdom of Naples and then soon with the French once French rule was established. French and Russian relations improved to the point that the Russian monarchy would routinely visit and Russian officials started to settle down in the region. The Orthodox cathedral in Nice was just put back into the Russian government. The cathedral has been aligned with the Patriarch in Constantinople since the inception of the Soviet Union.

Neighborhoods
Nice has 11 main neighborhoods that are defined by demographics and attractions. Vieux Nice, Chateau de Nice, The Port, Promenade des Anglais, Musiciens, Cimiez, The Russian District (Eglise Russe), Valrose, Baumettes, Ariane, and Les Moulins.
 * Vieux Nice, otherwise known as the Old Town. This neighborhood has not changed since the 1700's in terms of the architecture and is will known for its markets in the Cours Saleya, a large town square.
 * Chateau de Nice, the name in reference to the ruins of the Medieval Castle that once stood on top of the hill. Once playing as the main defensive position of the city and now host to residents and tourists alike.
 * The Port, is the less well known tourist neighborhood near the water. Many cruises and day ferries run regularly from the port.
 * Promenade des Anglais and Cimiez, are both locations that are well known for their connections to the English Aristocracy. The promenade got its name from the English who paid for the building of the promenade, now its an iconic beachfront of Nice. Cimiez was known as one of Queen Victoria's favorite places and is now a upper class community.
 * Musiciens, is a more residential neighborhood of Nice, but is also a center for the modern growth and development of the city. It's streets named for famous European artists.
 * The Russian District (Eglise Russe), is home to the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and the neighborhood where the Russians during after the Czarist era would settle.
 * Valrose, houses the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis that is headquartered in the Chateau de Valrose. Chateau Valrose is a 19th century castle built by Baron Paul Von Derwies, an adviser to Czar Alexander II.
 * Ariane and Les Moulins, both neighborhoods are considered predominately migrant communities consisting of tower block complexes on the outer limits of the city. The city government has begun several projects to revitalize the neighborhood of Les Moulins.