Saône

Saône, HAUTE, a department in the east of France, slopes south-west from the southern extremity of the Vosges, whose spurs diversify the north-east. It is watered chiefly by the Saône and its tributaries. Forests abound everywhere (31 per cent. of area). One-half of the total area of 2061 sq. m. is cultivable. The principal natural products are wheat, potatoes, and oats, iron, coal, and salt; and the manufactured, iron goods, glass and pottery, bricks, paper, and cottons. Fruit, especially cherries, is extensively cultivated. There are several mineral springs, the best known at Luxeuil. Pop. (1861) 317,183; (1896) 272,891. The arrondissements are Gray, Lure, and Vesoul; and Vesoul is the capital.