Contenu du sommaire

The inequal distribution of domestic electricity consumption in apparently indentical regions forms a useful indicator of standards of living. In rural regions, it also aids identification of the most dynamic elementary service centers. This simple method can easily be used in other circumstances, and allows, therefore, extensive comparoisons to be made.

Thermalism has made Evian a prosperous town, but it is affected by the seasonal character of employment and the dominance of certain economic activities. Several attempts have been made to extend the length of the tourist season and to increase interest in health-cures, but up till now no really satisfactory result has been obtained. The problem seems particularly important because thermal and tourist activity provides 1 250 jobs (of which 70 % are seasonal) whilst the permanent population is only just 6 000 people.

This study uses 12 series of 40 annual rainfalls (1931 to 1970) previously controled and covering the department of Ardèche. Authors applied a multivariate factor analysis to the matrix (12 X 40) of annual precipitations. This points out two important factors of spatial dispersion : on one hand the « plateau du Coiron » and on the other hand the distance from the Rhône Valley. Projected on these two factors the observation-dots show graphically the annual variability of the spatial dispersion.