Toulouse

Toulouse (pronounced {{IPA|/tuluz/}} in standard French, {{IPA|/tuˈluzə/}} in local Toulouse accent) (Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced {{IPA|/tuˈluz?/}}) is a city in southwest France on the banks of the Garonne River, half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. With close to 1.1 million inhabitants in 2005, the Toulouse metropolitan area is the second largest in southern France and one of the fastest growing in Europe. It is the home base of the European aerospace industry, such as Alcatel Espace and EADS Space, and hosts the headquarters of Airbus S.A.S..

Transportation

In addition to an extensive bus system, Toulouse has a modern metro system. The VAL (Véhicule Automatique Léger) metro system is made up of driverless (automatic) rubber-tired trams. The existing line A runs for 12.5km. It was recently extended and now runs from Balma-Gramont to Basso Cambo. The new line B is planned to open in 2006 will add 20 stations and will intersect line A at Jean Jaurès. (see List of Toulouse metro stations)

Related Topics:
Metro - VAL - Rubber-tired - 2006 - List of Toulouse metro stations

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Toulouse Blagnac International Airport is the principal local airport.

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