MAINE-ET-LOIRE

MAINE-ET-LOIRE, a department in the W. of France, including the most part of the province of Anjou and the W. part of Touraine, and lying between N. Lat. 46. 59. and 47. 45., and between 0. 15. E. and 1. 18. W. Long. Its greatest length is 77 miles, its greatest breadth 60, and its area 2756 square miles. It is bounded on the N. by the

Maintenon. departments of Mayenne and Sarthe, on the E. by that of Indre-et-Loire, on the S. by those of the Vienne, the Deux Sevres, and La Vendée, and on the W. by that of the Loire-Inferieure. This department receives its name from the two rivers Maine and Loire, which unite here. There are no mountains of any importance in the department, but the ground consists of an undulating plain, diversified here and there by vine-covered hills. A small portion, however, at the N.W. extremity is occupied by the hills which separate the valleys of the Vilaine and the Loire, and the southern part is covered by a continuation of the hills of Gâtine. The most important river in the department is the Loire, which passes through it from E. to W., dividing it into two nearly equal parts. Besides this, it is watered by the Authion, the Maine, the Sarthe, the Mayenne with its tributary the Oudon, the Erdre, and the Thouet in the N.; while in the S. there may be noticed the Layon, the Erve, the Sevre-Nantaise, and the Moine, several of which are navigable rivers, while they all contribute to the fertility of the neighbouring country. The department is very productive, and the principal occupation of the inhabitants is agriculture. The corn produced is considerably more than sufficient to supply the wants of the inhabitants. The principal of the other productions are,—potatoes, hemp, flax, nuts, and fruits of various kinds. About 11,000,000 gallons of wine are made annually, besides a considerable amount of cider. The forests of this department are extensive, and consist principally of oak and beech. The pasturage is very good, and large quantities of live stock are annually reared, especially along the banks of the principal rivers. It has been calculated that there are in this department 210,000 head of large cattle, 200,000 sheep, 86,000 pigs, 4300 goats, 40,000 horses, and 3600 mules and asses. The forests abound in deer and wild boars, and there are also found numbers of foxes and weasels. The game and fish are very plentiful. Coal mining is carried on to a considerable extent, but the quantity produced, amounting to about 200,000 cwt. annually, is entirely consumed in the department. There are also considerable slate mines, situated chiefly round the town of Angers, where they give employment to 3000 workmen, and produce annually about 80,000,000 slates. Iron is also found, though in no great abundance; but it furnishes materials for several furnaces. There are also quarries of granite, marble, sandstone, limestone, &c. There is not much manufacturing industry in this department, but what there is has its chief seat about Cholet; and its principal products are linen, cotton, and woolen stuffs; Maine-et-Loire being especially famous for its handkerchiefs. There are also several breweries and distilleries, as well as tanneries and manufactories of bricks, tiles, pottery, and other articles. The trade of the district consists chiefly in cattle, grain, wines, linen, and dried fruit.

This country was anciently occupied by the Andes, or Andecavi, from whom the name Anjou is derived; and many Gallic monuments are still to be seen in the department. It was afterwards in the hands of the Romans, who have also left traces of their occupation. During the time of the Revolution this neighbourhood is remarkable as having been the seat of the war of La Vendée. This department is divided into five arrondissements as follows:—