Ardèche

Ardèche, a department in the south of France, takes its name from a tributary of the Rhone, and includes part of ancient Languedoc. It is almost wholly mountainous. In the NW. of the department, the Cévennes culminate in the volcanic Mont-Mézène, 5752 feet in height. Numerous extinct volcanic peaks, deep craters, grottos, rock-labyrinths, and basaltic columns, give an extraordinarily picturesque appearance to the scenery. The upland, where winter reigns for six or eight months, is devoted to pasturage; but the valley of the Rhone produces wine, olives, chestnuts, figs, and almonds. Only a fourth of the area is cultivated. Iron, coal, antimony, lead, marble, and gypsum are wrought. There are manufactures of silk, paper, leather, cloth, and straw. Area, 2136 sq. m.; pop. (1891) 371,269. The capital is Privas.