CÔTES-DU-NORD

CÔTES-DU-NORD, a maritime department in the N.W. of France, containing part of the old province of Brittany. It is bounded N. by the English Channel, W. by Finistère, S. by Morbihan, and E. by Ille-et-Vilaine. Area 2595 square miles. A chain of granitic mountains, of which the culminating point, Mount Menez, attains a height of about 1200 feet, runs through the department from E. to W., dividing it into two unequal parts, of which the southern is the smaller. Towards its western extremity this chain sends out two branches, the one extending westward and the other south-westward to the department of Finistère. Various smaller ramifications are sent off northward and southward from the main chain. The rivers are short and unimportant, the principal being the Rance, Arguenon, Guer, Trieux, Gouessant, and Gouet. The coast is generally steep and rocky. It is much indented by the mouths of numerous small rivers, and fringed, particularly towards its west end, by many small islands. The soil is mostly stony, primitive formations being everywhere found near the surface; and the plains on both sides of the mountain chain are often sandy and sterile. Agriculture is in a very backward state. Rye, oats, and wheat are the principal crops grown. Cattle, goats, and sheep are reared, but they are of inferior breeds. The draught horses, however, are much esteemed. The fisheries employ a great portion of its inhabitants, and constitute one of the most important resources of the department, which is thus an admirable nursery for the French navy. The forests are extensive, and abound with wolves, foxes, badgers, roe-bucks, and wild boars. Iron and lead-mines are worked, but otherwise this department is not rich in minerals. The linen manufacture, though still the staple of the department, has of late years much declined.

Côtes-du-Nord is divided into 5 arrondissements, which with their populations are as follows:—