Garonne, HAUTE

Garonne, HAUTE, a department in the south of France, embracing portions of ancient Gascony and Languedoc, has an area of 2428 sq. m., and a pop. (1872) of 479,362; (1891) 472,383. It is watered throughout by the Garonne, from which it derives its name, and within the basin of which it wholly lies. Occupied in the south by a branch of the Pyrenean range, the slope of the department and the course of its streams are toward the north and north-east. Apart from this southern mountainous region, the department is hilly and fertile. The soil in the valleys is remarkably productive, and bears heavy crops of wheat, maize, flax, hemp, potatoes, and rape-seed. Orchard fruits and chestnuts are produced in abundance, and the annual yield of wine is about 20,000,000 gallons, two-thirds of which is exported. Mineral springs and baths are very plentiful. The chief manufactures are woollen and cotton fabrics, paper, and hardware. The department is divided into the four arrondissements of Toulouse, Muret, St Gaudens, and Villefranche, with Toulouse as capital.