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Manche
—  Department  —
Coat of arms
Location of Manche in France
Coordinates: 49°03′N 01°15′E / 49.05°N 1.25°E / 49.05; 1.25Coordinates: 49°03′N 01°15′E / 49.05°N 1.25°E / 49.05; 1.25
Country	France
Region	Basse-Normandie
Prefecture	Saint-Lô
Subprefectures	Avranches Cherbourg-Octeville Coutances
Government
• President of the General Council	Jean-François Le Grand
Area1
• Total	5,938 km2 (2,293 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	495,153
• Rank	52nd
• Density	83/km2 (220/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Department number	50
Arrondissements	4
Cantons	52
Communes	602
^1 French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries, and lakes, ponds, and glaciers larger than 1 km2

Manche (French pronunciation: [mɑ̃ʃ]) is a French department in Normandy named after La Manche ("the sleeve"), which is the French name for the English Channel.

History[link]

Manche is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the province of Normandie.

The first capital was Coutances until 1796, and it resumed that role after World War II because of the almost complete destruction of Saint-Lô during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. When Saint-Lô was rebuilt, it again became the capital.

Geography[link]

The Department includes the Cotentin Peninsula down to the famous Mont St Michel; though not the off-shore Îles Anglo-Normandes, which are British Crown Dependencies. These islands are a wonderful example of when Normandy invaded England and vice-versa, and oaths of allegiance to new kings got mixed up. Other reefs and not quite islands such as the Minquiers are technically British, though they are annually contested in good fun by French and Channel Island fishermen. The coast is fantastic for sailing and boating though the unusually fast tidal races require a certain yachting skill to navigate safely.

The region is lush and green with amazing sandy beaches, remaining very rural and farming orientated. The peninsula was originally joined as a single land mass to Cornwall and Dorset in England, so the countrysides are very similar. Flat marsh areas as Marais are common and great for wildlife and bird watching. Walking, cycling, and horse riding are possible on local trails from most towns, opening up some of Europe's most beautiful scenery. A wonderful canal tow path, river Vire, and disused railway line walk from the north coast past St. Lo to Mont St Michel, is another way to take in the countryside stopping off as you go in nearby towns.

The region and around St Lo is the horse capital of France, where the cooler climate compared to the south is ideal for breeding and training. The national Haras stud at St Lo is worth a visit as it reflects the history of people working successfully with horses on their local land.

France's first EPR reactor is near completion at Cherbourg and the TGV fast trains are planned for Paris to Caen and Cherbourg for 2020. The current train service is reasonable at 2½ hours on a through train. Its hard to imagine now the World War II landings and the sheer scale of destruction that was done to the area, an area chosen then for its geography and wide coastal sandy beaches.

Climate[link]

The climate is oceanic, with relatively mild winters temperatures can drop to -10°C for a few days occasionally. Temperate summers, around 25°C, can occasionally reach 40°C in direct sun light. Precipitation is substantial, and varies greatly by region, between 700mm on the coast and 1300mm in the southern central area. Highly localised, not life threatening flash flooding has been experienced over the last few years in the spring period.

The west coast benefits from the Gulf stream's influence, allowing the naturalization of many mediterranean and exotic plants (mimosas, palms, agaves...).

There is often a sea breeze on the coast, which combined with tides contributes to quick temperature changes over a single day. Sea temperatures can be very pleasant for swimming between July and October.

Demographics[link]

Inhabitants of the department are called Manchots or Manchois.

Sports[link]

• Football : main clubs : AS Cherbourg, US Avranches, Saint-Lô, Granville, Villedieu, UST Équeurdreville-Hainneville...
• Cycling : the Tour de France has visited the department 21 times with stages ending at : Cherbourg (16), Avranches(2), Granville(1), Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët(1) and the Mont Saint-Michel(1).
• Sailing: the Solitaire du Figaro has come to Cherbourg several times.
• Thai boxing : Villedieu-les-Poêles
• Badminton : Two local clubs compete in the national championship (N3): St Hilaire du Harcouet and Hainneville.
• Golf: course: Granville, Bréhal, Coutainville, Cherbourg, Centre Manche, Fontenay, Côte des Isles

See also[link]

Normandy portal

• Cantons of the Manche department
• Communes of the Manche department
• Arrondissements of the Manche department
• Cotentinais, the Norman dialect of Manche.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Manche

• (French) Prefecture website
• (French) General Council website
• (English) Manche at the Open Directory Project

• (French) A whole wiki about the Manche !
• (French) Comité départemental du tourisme de la Manche

Omar Rafael Chaparro Alvidrez is a Mexican actor and media personality.

Biography[link]

Omar was born in Chihuahua and he knew Brenda, and began his career in 1996 in Chihuahua, Mexico, in the radio program “Los visitantes” with his friend Perico Padilla and there is where he created many of his famous characters like La Licenciada, Chole Ramos and La Yuyis Montanegra. Because of the success of this radio program He was invited to make a TV show at the local TV station of Chihuahua, that TV show was named Los Visitantes (The Visitors).

Omar traveled to Mexico City looking for a better opportunity and he went to audition to many TV shows and TV networks, but it is from Telehit that he received his first opportunity and in 2001 started the TV show Black and White with his folks Perico and Rafita Valderrama.

On August 25, 2001, Omar got Married with Lucia Ruiz de la Peña and now they have three children, Andrea who is 5 years old, Omar Emiliano who is 2 years old and the little Sofia who is almost 1 year old. Because of his talent to make different voices and to make different characters, Omar was invited to perform in a couple Comedy TV shows like XHDRBZ and La Jaula.

In December 2002 Omar joined the team of the morning radio show Ya Párate with Facundo and Tamara Vargas.

In September 2003 Omar joined Big Brother VIP 2, where he stayed 64 days and He was the champion, obtaining an absolute majority with 64% of the votes , becoming the first man to win a reality show in Mexico.

In March 2004, the TV show No Manches was released on Channel 5 of Televisa, started by Omar, No manches was a family variety-show, with jokes, characters and musical guests, which had international guests like Robbie Williams, Shakira, Hanson, Thalía among others, this TV show changed the way television was made in Mexico.

In July of that year Omar traveled to Greece to the Olympic Games , with Televisa's team, making comedy.

In that year Omar made his debut in Movies in the film Puños Rosas playing the part of Chuy and also he made the dub in to Spanish of the character Syndrome of the Movie The Incredibles from Walt Disney.

In 2005 he debuted in theater in the play “La cena de los idiotas” that allowed Omar to act alongside former Jose Elias Moreno, Luis Gatica among others, getting many awards as the best new actor.

In July 2005 he got the second place of the contest “Festival Original Cantado y Unico” and also in November of that year he got first place of the reality show Bailando por México (dancing for Mexico) again obtaining an absolute majority with 50% of the votes.

In that year he also debuted as Industrialist releasing his own line of clothes, under the name "Bros Club" and which its exclusively available in Sears Mexico.

On December 2005 Omar, opened his restaurant-bar "Bros Club" in Chihuahua, México.

In January 2006, he joined to the reality show Cantando por un sueño (Singing for a dream) getting fifth place, he also was host of the contest TV show Buenas Tardes. In that year Omar was also invited to play in some episodes of the soap opera La fea mas bella.

In June 2006, he traveled again with the Televisa's team to the World Cup in Germany, to make comedy sketches.

He made the dub in to Spanish of the movie Hoodwinked (Buza Caperuza in Spanish)

In September of this year, Omar debuted as showman, releasing his own show which he wrote by himself, taking his show to many cities of Mexico and USA, .."Omar Chaparro el Show" it's a spectacle for all the family, in which Omar introduces his famous characters jokes and music

On October 21, 2006, Robbie Williams invited Omar to play the guitar, at the Robbie's concert in Mexico City like he had promised Omar a year ago in the TV show "No manches", that when he was back in Mexico they both will sing a song together on stage, and Omar play the guitar at Robbie's concert, while he sang the song "Better man"

In February 2007, Omar is included in the book "Televisa Presenta" to celebrate the 50 Televisa's Anniversary

On May 15, 2007, Omar debuted as actor on TV, in the TV show "Sexo y otros secretos" (sex and other secrets), Mexican version of the American TV show "Sex and the city".

In July 2007, Omar appeared in the summer edition of the magazine TV y novelas Mexico "Piel de estrellas" (skin of stars)

On Sept 2008, Omar was hired by Telefutura the sister station of Univision, to conduct his own show.

On September 4, 2010 Omar was hired to host the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards México 2010 along with Anahí.

Career[link]

Omar in the radio[link]

• Los Visitantes (1996–1999)
• Ya Párate (2002- until now)

TV shows[link]

• The visitors (1999)
• Black and White (2001–2004)
• No Manches (2004–2006)
• Buenas Tardes (2006)
• Sexo y otros Secretos (sex and other secrets) (2007)
• Los diez primeros (the top ten) (2008)
• ¿Qué dice la gente? (2008)

Reality shows[link]

• Big Brother VIP 2 (2003 1st place)
• Festival Original Cantado y unico (2005 second place)
• Bailando por México (2005 1st place)
• Bailando por el Teleton (2005 second place)
• Guerra de Villancicos (2005 second place)
• Cantando por un sueño (2006 fifth place)

Movies[link]

• Puños Rosas (2004) as Chuy
• The Incredibles (2004) as Syndrome
• Hoodwinked (Buza Caperuza) (2006) as the Grandmother
• Kung Fu Panda (2008) as the Po, the Panda

Television appearances[link]

• Salon 21 Concierto OV7 (2002)
• XHDRBZ (2003)
• La Jaula (2003)
• No te hagas guey con el Teleton(2003)
• Athens Summer Olympic Games (2004)
• Oye Awards (2004)
• No te hagas guey con el Teleton (2004)
• Teleton (2004)
• Celebremos México(2005)
• La fea mas bella (2006)
• La jugada del mundial (Germany World Cup 2006)
• Plaza Sesamo (2006)
• El amor hace milagros (Teleton's video 2006)
• El juicio del Teleton (2006)
• Teleton 2006
• Una bella navidad para la fea (2006)
• La Flor de Tabasco
• Tv y novelas awards (2007)

Theater[link]

• La cena de los idiotas (2005)

Album's collaborations[link]

• Big Brother Vip (2003)
• Ya Parate (2005)
• Cantando por un Sueño CD+DVD (2006)

TV advertisements[link]

• Pepsi (2004)
• Sabritas (2005)
• Embarrados Canal 5 (2005)
• Instituto Federal Electoral (2005)
• Helados Holanda (2006)
• El Canal de las estrellas (2006)
• Tarjeta 40 principales(2006)
• Campaña México es de todos (2006)
• Pedro tu eres la estrella, Homenage to Pedro Infante (2007)

External links[link]

• Omar Chaparro oficial web site
• Chaparro´s myspace

Sources[link]

• esmas.com biography
• Omar Chaparro's official website