Gers

Gers, a department in the south-west of France, separated by Landes from the Bay of Biscay, with an area of 2415 sq. m., a climate healthy and temperate, a soil only moderately productive, no mineral riches, scarcely any trade, and an agricultural population, among whom education has not risen above a very low level. In 1861 there were 298,931 inhabitants, but the number has since steadily decreased; in 1881 it had fallen to 281,532; in 1891 to 261,084. There are parallel lines of hills in the south, separated by fan-shaped valleys which expand as they extend towards the plains in the north. The Gers and other principal rivers are tributaries of the Garonne and Adour. One-half of the surface is devoted to agriculture, and nearly a sixth to vineyards. Wine of very moderate quality is produced in considerable quantity; great part of it is converted into Armagnac brandy, which, after Cognac, is esteemed the best. The department has five arrondissements, those of Auch, Condom, Lectoure, Lombez, and Mirande; the capital is Auch.