Seine-Inférieure

Seine-Inférieure, a maritime dept. of northern France, formed out of the old province of Normandy, and bounded on the N. and W. by the English Channel. Area, 2330 sq. m.; pop. (1891) 839,876. The Seine flows through the southern districts; but a number of important though small streams flow north-west across the dept. and fall into the Channel. The hills of Caux extend from east to west, and to the south of them are rich pasture-lands, watered by the Seine and its affluents. The coasts are formed of chalk-cliffs, varying in height from 200 to 400 feet. This dept. is one of the most flourishing in all France, having many manufacturing establishments (cotton and woollen stuffs, dyeworks, cloth, flax, shipping, foundries, sugar-refineries, tobacco, chemicals, &c.), a large trade from Havre, Rouen, and Dieppe, and much prosperous farming (cheese, butter, cattle, wool). Cider is extensively made. The coast-fisheries are valuable. On its coast are the favourite seaside resorts of the Parisians—Fécamp, St Valery, Tréport, Dieppe, and others. The arrondissements are Dieppe, Havre, Rouen, Neufchâtel, and Yvetot. The capital is Rouen.