Charente

Charente, a department of France, formed chiefly out of the old province of Angoumois. Area, 2285 sq. m. Pop. (1866) 378,218; (1891) 360,259. It is generally level, with granite offshoots of the Limousin range in the north, and chalk-hills in the south, abounding in marine deposits; and it is watered by the river Charente and its tributaries, with the rivers Vienne and Dronne. The hills are in many places clad with chestnut forests. The climate is generally mild and healthy, and a sixth of the surface is devoted to vines, which flourish in the dry, hot limestone soil. The wines grown are spirituous and fiery in flavour, and are chiefly distilled into brandy, which forms the most important of the exports. Truffles grow abundantly in several parts. The principal manufactures besides brandy are paper, leather, felt, and pottery. Charente is divided into the five arrondissements of Angoulême, Cognac, Ruffec, Barbezieux, and Confolens. Angoulême is the chief town.