Creuse

Creuse, a river and a department in the centre of France. The river rises near Féniers, on the northern slope of Mont Odouze, and flows 146 miles north-westward till it falls into the Vienne, a tributary of the Loire, 12 miles N. of Chatellerault.—The department, with an area of 2150 sq. m., had a population of (1872) 274,663; (1891) 284,660. Low mountains and chains of hills, 2000 to 3000 feet high, occupy the greater part of the land. The climate is moist and variable, and the soil thin and light, interspersed with stretches of heath and pasture in the southern hilly district, but better in the lowlands of the north-east. The rearing of cattle forms the chief industry, and large quantities of chestnuts and fruit are grown. Coal is mined at Ahun. Creuse is divided into the arrondissements of Aubusson, Bourganeuf, Boussac, and Guéret, with Guéret for capital.