Alès

Alès () is a commune in south central France in the region of Occitanie. It is a subprefecture of the Gard department. It is also the capital of the "arrondissement" of the same name.
It was formerly known as "Alais".
History.
Since the creation of the Gard department on 4 March 1790, Alès has been a subprefecture of the department.
Geography.
Alès is at north-northwest of Nîmes, in a curve (meander) of the Le Gardon d'Alès river, which half surrounds it. It is at the foot of the Cévennes, near the Cévennes National Park.
Alès has an area of , and its average altitude is ; at the city hall, the altitude is .
The "commune" of Alès is surrounded by the "communes" Saint-Jean-du-Pin, Saint-Martin-de-Valgalgues, Saint-Privat-des-Vieux, Cendras, Saint-Christol-lès-Alès and Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas.
Climate.
The climate of Alès, in the Köppen climate classification, is Csb - Mediterranean climate with warm summers.
Population.
The inhabitants of Alès are known, in French, as "Alésiens" (women: "Alésiennes").
With a population of 39,993, Alès has a population density of inhabitants/km2.
Evolution of the population in Alès
Alès forms, with other 21 "communes", the urban area of Alès with a population of 94,622 inhabitants (2013) and an area of . This urban area is the centre of the metropolitan area of Alès, formed by 52 "communes" with a population of 114,137 inhabitants and an area of .
Administration.
Alès is a subprefecture of the Gard department, the capital of the "arrondissement" of Le Vigan and the administrative centre () of the cantons
It is part of the intercommunality "Alès Agglomération".
Sister cities.
Alès is twinned with: