Automobiles, airplanes, food, beverages, perfume, and fashions are among the variety of products from France that customers throughout the world can buy. Each of France's 22 regions proudly produces its own specialties. These regions closely resemble the former French provinces both in name and location.

1. Currently, France is divided into regions. What did these regions used to be called?

I read over this paragraph several times. Though it does not tell what the regions used to be called. It only gives a hint --something to do with "Former French Provinces".

Why are there a lot of large factories in northeastern France?

There are a lot of large factories in northeastern France because they help produce a variety of Industrial products. And this area is also rich for its iron mines.

The 22 French regions

Alsace >>
Aquitaine >>
Auvergne >>
Bourgogne >>
Bretagne >>
Centre Val de Loire >>
Champagne - Ardenne >>
Corse >>
Franche-Comté >>
Ile de France >>
Languedoc - Roussillon >>
Limousin >>
Lorraine >>
Midi - Pyrénées >>
Normandie >>
Pays de la Loire >>
Picardie >>
Nord Pas-de-Calais >>
Poitou-Charentes >>
Provence Aples Côte d'Azur >>
Rhône-Alpes >>
Riviera Côte-d'Azur >>

To find out what the regions in France used to be called, you can use reliable sources such as history books, official government websites, or encyclopedias. These sources will provide you with information on the former provinces and their names. Here are the steps you can follow to get the answer:

1. Search for official government websites related to France's regions or provinces. The official website of the French government or the Ministry of Culture might provide historical and geographical information about the regions. Look for sections or articles on the history or administrative divisions of France.
2. Check academic sources or history books that discuss the evolution of France's administrative divisions. Libraries, online archives, or university databases are good places to find such sources. Look for books on French history or specifically on administrative divisions in France.
3. Consult encyclopedias or reference books that include information about France. General encyclopedias or specialized encyclopedias focusing on countries or regions can provide historical information on France's administrative divisions.
4. If you're unable to find the precise answer from these sources, you can also reach out to experts or historians specializing in French history who might have more specific information on the former names of the regions.

For the question about the large factories in northeastern France, you already provided the answer in your own question. The presence of iron mines in the area contributes to the establishment of large factories. These factories utilize the region's rich resources to produce various industrial products.