Dax, Landes

**Dax** (_Dacs_ in Gascon) is a commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in south-western France, sub-prefecture of the Landes department. It is also the capital of the _arrondissement_ of Dax and of 2 _cantons_ in the department: Dax-1 and Dax-2.

It is well-known spa town, specialising in mud treatment for rheumatism and similar medical problems.

## History

Dax was first established by the Romans, and its name was _Civitas Aquensium_. In the Middle Ages, it was administered by viscounts until 1177. when Henry II Plantagenet, later King of England, got the Aquitaine. Dax remained under the English rule until 1451, when it was conquered by the French troops before the end of the Hundred Years' War.

## Geography

Dax is, in straight line, at about  from the beaches of southern Landes,  from Bayonne,  from Bordeaux,  from Mont-de-Marsan and  from Pau.

The _commune_ has an area of , and its average altitude is ; at the city hall, the altitude is .

The city of Dax is mainly on the left side of the Adour river.

### Climate

The climate of Dax is Marine West Coast Climate (Köppen climate classification: **Cfb**), with mild winters and warm summers.

## Population

The inhabitants of Dax are known, in French, as _Dacquois_ (women: _Dacquoises_).

With a population of 20,485, Dax has a population density of  inhabitants/km<sup>2</sup>.

**Evolution of the population in Dax**

Dax forms, with 12 other _communes_, the urban area of Dax with a population of 49,853 inhabitants (2013) and an area of . This urban area is the centre of the metropolitan area of Dax, formed by 31 _communes_, with a population of 64,937 inhabitants (2013) and an area of .

## Administration

Dax is a subprefecture of the Landes department since 1800. It is also the capital of the _arrondissement_ of Dax and the administrative centre () of two _cantons_:
1. Dax-1, formed with a part of Dax and ten other _communes_, with 24,887 inhabitants <small>(2014)</small>.
1. Dax-2, formed with a part of Dax and nine other _communes_, with 29,536 inhabitants <small>(2014)</small>.

### Twin towns

Dax is twinned with:
- Logroño, Spain

## Sites of interest

- Cathedral of _Notre-Dame Ste-Marie_
- Church of _Saint-Vincent-de-Xaintes_
- _Fontaine Chaude_ ("Hot Fountain")

## People from or related to Dax

- Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), theologian born in a village near Dax.
- Jean-Charles de Borda (1733-1799), mathematician.
- Roger Ducos (1747-1818), politician.
- Paul Darbos (1990), Internet celebrity.

## Related pages

- Arrondissement of Dax
- Communes of the Landes department

## Other websites

- Ville de Dax - Official site
- General Council of Landes
- Prefecture official website
- Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine

## Infobox (french commune)

- **name**: Dax
- **commune status**: Subprefectures in France, Subprefecture and Communes of France, commune
- **image**: Dax Fontaine chaude2.jpg
- **caption**: La Fontaine Chaude
- **image coat of arms**: Blason Dax 40.svg
- **arrondissement**: Dax
- **canton**: Canton of Dax-1, Dax-1 and Canton of Dax-2, 2
- **insee**: 40088
- **postal code**: 40100
- **mayor**: Gabriel Bellocq
- **term**: 2014–2020
- **intercommunality**: Grand Dax
- **elevation m**: 9
- **elevation min m**: 2
- **elevation max m**: 46
- **area km2**: 19.70
- **population**: 20683
- **population date**: 2015