Loire-Atlantique is a department in France. It is in the Pays de la Loire region. Its capital is Nantes, which is also the region's capital. The department gets its name from the river which goes through it (la Loire), and because it is next to the Atlantic Ocean.
History
Loire Atlantique is one of the first 83 departments of France created in 1790. It used to be called Loire-Inférieure. It got its new name in 1957.
The department was part of Brittany until 1941 when the Vichy Governement separated it. Many people still think it is Brittany's capital. Some want it to be part of Brittany again.
Geography
Loire-Atlantique is next to 4 departements: Vendée Maine-et-Loire Ille-et-Vilaine Morbihan
West of it is the Atlantic Ocean.