Puy-de-Dôme

Puy-de-Dôme, a central department of France, containing an area of 3070 sq. m. and a pop. (1891) of 564,266. The western side of the department is an elevated volcanic region, studded with numerous extinct cones, and greatly broken by corries, erosion valleys, crater lakes, &c. (see FRANCE). The highest cones are Puy-de-Sancy (6188 feet) and Puy-de-Dôme (4806); on the east side the Forez Mountains (5380) march with the frontier. The principal rivers are the Allier, a tributary of the Loire, and the Dordogne. The soil is, in general, thin and poor; but its volcanic character fosters vegetation, especially in the valley of Limagne. Agriculture and cattle-breeding are the chief occupations. The climate is uncertain, and severe in the mountains. The principal minerals are coal and lead. Hot and cold mineral springs are abundant, among the most frequented being those of Mont Dore (q.v.), Château-neuf, St Nectaire, Royat, Châtelon, &c. The department is subdivided into the arrondissements of Ambert, Clermont-Ferrand, Issoire, Riom, and Thiers. Capital, Clermont-Ferrand.