ALPS, LOWER DEPARTMENT OF, in France. This department is bounded on the north by the department of the Upper Alps, on the east by Piedmont, on the south by the department of the Var and the north-east extremity of that of the Bouches-du-Rhône, and on the west by the departments of Vaucluse and the Drome. It presents a succession of high rugged mountains, with vast forests and numerous low rich valleys. Its extent is equal to 2666½ square miles. It is divided into five arrondissements, thirty cantons, and 256 communes, having in 1851 a population of
152,070. The chief town is Digne, with 4119 inhabitants. Alpteghin. This department returned two members to the chamber of deputies.