Its population as of 1999 was 33,943 in the city, 21,622 in the northern canton and 25,766 in the southern canton.
The city of Li?in is an old mining city of Pas-de-Calais. Near Lens, this modest-sized city nevertheless has several nursery schools, schools, colleges, a university, a swimming pool, a city library, a cultural and social center (CCS), a hospital, a covered stadium, several gardens and parks, two movie theaters, two cemeteries, a Catholic church, a shopping center, a National Police station, a fire station, a complete intercommunity transportation system (managed by STILL: Soci??de Transport Intercommunale de Lens-Li?in), regional newspapers, the main ones being La Voix du Nord (Voice of the North), Nord Matin (Northern Morning) and Nord ?lair (Northern Flash), etc. The city has also recently acquired ADSL connectivity.
The history of Li?in begins very early. The foothill of Riaumont (highest point in Li?in) is a rich archaeological site. Traces of Neolithic and Gallo-Roman periods have been found there, and 752 tombs attest that Li?in was once a Merovingian burial ground.
In 1414, there were barely 150 inhabitants in Li?in. At that point it was a village mainly concerned with agriculture. Up until World War I, the population steadily grew:
The First World War brutally ended Li?in's expansion. The city was ruined, the churches and castles destroyed. Human losses were 400 civilian and 600 military. The city of Li?in was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1920.
After the war, it was necessary to rebuild everything. After a few years, Li?in was again an active city, and mining recommenced.
The Second World War again stopped the progress of the city. In 1940, Li?in was evacuated, and the city was settled by Germans. Resistance was organized, in particular with the help of the Voix du Nord newspaper. In this war, there were 220 civilian and 225 military casualties. Li?in was liberated on September 2, 1944 by the British Eighth Army.
After the war, mining recommenced in force; coal mining was vital to the reconstruction of the French economy. Silicosis, which would kill many miners, made its appearance.
In addition to silicosis, miners were in daily peril of being lost in mining catastrophes. There were five major mining catastrophes during the coal mining period:
Li?in suffered a great deal from the abandonment of coal; the whole city depended on the mines. Fortunately, the city reconverted and, although it may not have the same economic dynamism of that epoch, the commercial and industrial areas are a source of employment for many, and the city remains relatively prosperous with 33,430 inhabitants (see above).
Famous people from Li?in include:
Overview
History
Prehistory
Agriculture and mining begin
Li?in during the World Wars
End of coal mining
Additionally, a recession in the mining industry began and with it a recession in Li?in. From 1960 to 1970, 60 of the 67 pits closed, Following the tragedy in Saint-Am? the last pit closed in 1974. Li?in no longer produces coal, and has moved on to a new chapter.Li?in without coal
Mayors of Li?in since the French Revolution
Miscellaneous