Aveyron

Aveyron, a department in the south of France, named from the river which runs westwards through it, and after a course of 90 miles falls into the Tarn, a feeder of the Garonne. The department of Aveyron has an area of 3376 sq. m., in one of the most mountainous parts of France. Situated between the highlands of Auvergne and the Cévennes, it slopes like a terrace south-west to the Garonne. A third part of the land is unfit for cultivation, but affords excellent pasture for the numerous herds of cattle, goats, sheep, and swine, which form the principal resources of the mountaineers. The famous Roquefort cheese is exported hence in large quantities. Coal, iron, lead, zinc, copper, silver, alum, and antimony are found and wrought; and paper, cotton and woollen cloths, and leather are produced. The capital is Rodez. There are many prehistoric remains in the department, which was formerly part of the province of Guienne. Pop. (1886) 415,826; (1891) 400,467.