Towards a more virtuous economy The economy of Nord-Pas-de-Calais is characterized by the long-standing establishment of important sectors of activity such as agriculture and its derivatives (brazier activity from the 8th century), textiles, and trade due to its location. geographical. The industrial revolution gave a considerable boost to these traditional activities, and the presence of coal allowed the development of heavy industry. After the Second World War, the research centers were not rebuilt to avoid the destruction or appropriation of discoveries in the event of conflict and a fourth German occupation of the region. The end of the Trente Glorieuses coincides with the decline of the coal mines, which supplied energy to the region's heavy industry. These serious structural difficulties are added to the economic crisis: Of the three major sectors which were the pillars of its economy, coal, steel, textiles, only the last two still survive as best they can. The last mine in the region closed in December 1990 and the steel industry was moved from the Sambre and Valenciennois on the coast to Dunkirk to use the ore brought from the antipodes. Petrochemicals are also installed there. Textiles have become specialized and automated, to cope with the importation of large series. The secondary sector now only occupies 33.8% of the active population (28.9% for France). Its connection to North-West Europe, however, allows it to benefit from the economic benefits of the commissioning of the Channel Tunnel and the LGV (TGV).