AVEYRON, a department in the S. of France, in the ancient province of Guienne. Area 3429 square miles. It is divided into five arrondissements as follows:—
| Arrond. | Cantons. | Communes. | Pop., 1851. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodez..... | 11 | 75 | 105,558 |
| Isparion ..... | 11 | 43 | 67,698 |
| Milhan..... | 7 | 46 | 65,625 |
| St Affrique ..... | 6 | 41 | 60,038 |
| Villefranche ..... | 7 | 54 | 92,234 |
| 42 | 259 | 394,153 |
A portion of this department is mountainous, but about one-half is under cultivation, nearly one-fourth heath, one-tenth woods and forests, and rather more than an eighth part meadow land. Vineyards occupy about one-twelfth part of the cultivated land. It has mines of copper, lead, silver, iron, zinc, and antimony; besides considerable coal-fields of great value. The inhabitants are extensively engaged in the rearing of cattle; and there are manufactures of paper, woollen and cotton goods, and leather, to which water-power is skilfully applied. Aveyron exports corn, chestnuts, almonds, hemp, wool, wax, cheese, timber, and cattle. The capital is Rodez.