Department Ain Area 32.02 km² | Population (2012) 10,677 Local time Monday 10:46 AM | |
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Weather 9°C, Wind NE at 10 km/h, 66% Humidity Points of interest Col de la Faucille, Pas de l'Échine, Tetras Aventures | ||
Gex ([ʒɛks]) is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France.
Contents
Map of 01170 Gex, France
It lies 5 km (3.1 mi) from the Swiss border and 16 km (9.9 mi) from Geneva. It is a subprefecture of Ain.
History
The town gave its name to the Pays de Gex, at various times under the jurisdiction of France, Switzerland and the Duchy of Savoy.
With the 1815 Protocol of the Conference of Paris, (signed on 20 November) and the Treaty of Paris of the same date, Gex was placed in the Customs region of Switzerland and neutralised. The resolutions regarding the Pays de Gex were annulled by Art 435 of the Treaty of Versailles. In November 1923 France moved its customs office to Gex, and the matter was brought before the Permanent Court of International Justice (predecessor of the International Court of Justice), which decided in favour of Switzerland. A compromise was reached in 1932.
Historically, citizens spoke a dialect of the Franco-Provençal language.
Economy
Its principal market for exports is Geneva.