Bouches-du-Rhone ('mouths of the Rhone'), a department in the south-east of France, formerly a part of Provence, with an area of 1971 sq. m.
It is divided into the three arrondissements of Marseilles, Aix, and Arles. Through the northern and eastern districts the Maritime Alps slope gently down to the basin of the Rhone. Towards the seashore there are several plains of considerable extent; the western portion called the Camargue is very unhealthy. The amount of arable land is small; heaths, woods, wastes, and water occupy the rest. The Rhone—which between Arles and the sea separates into several branches, forming a delta, called Île de la Camargue—and its affluent, the Durance, are the principal rivers. The department is intersected by several canals of importance, and by a great aqueduct conveying water from the Durance to Marseilles. The soil in some parts is strongly impregnated with salt. The great plain of Crau, to the east, is stony and arid. Besides the Etang de Berre, there are numerous salt-lakes communicating with the sea by natural or artificial channels. Marble, limestone, and gypsum are found, and from 1000 to 2000 men are engaged in coal-mining. Leather, hats, perfumes, soap, olive-oil, vinegar, and chemical products are manufactured; there are extensive brandy-distilleries and sugar-refineries; the produce of the salt-works is larger than that of any other part of France, and that of wine is large. Pop. (1872) 554,911; (1891) 630,622.