VIENNE Haute

VIENNE Haute, a department of France, bounded on the N. by those of Vienne and Indre, E. by that of Creuse, S. by those of Corrèze and Dordogne, and W. by that of Charente. Length, from N. to S., 60 miles; greatest breadth, 50; area, 2130 square miles. The surface is crossed by two chains of hills, nearly parallel to each other. One of these is the heights of Gatine, traversing the S. of the department, and reaching the highest point here in

Mont Jargau, 3114 feet high. The other chain of hills is further north, near the centre of the department, separating the valley of the Vienne on the S. from that of its affluent the Gartempe on the N. It is about the same height as the heights of Gatine; its highest summit, Le Puy le Vieux, being 3196 feet high. The rivers already mentioned are the principal ones in the department. They both flow nearly due west, and neither is navigable. In the extreme south, the Tardoire and Bandiat, affluents of the Charente, and the Dronne, Isle, and Loue, affluents of the Garonne, rise on the slope of the Gatine hills, but after a short course leave the department. The prevailing geological formations in the whole department is the primary and early secondary rocks; and the principal minerals are iron, copper, lead, antimony, coal, granite, limestone, porcelain, clay, and felspar. The soil is on the whole not very fertile, and is ill suited for the cultivation of wheat, but it affords excellent pasturage. The climate is cold, moist, and variable. The arable land forms considerably less than half of the entire area; and the produce of corn is insufficient for the home consumption. Rye and buck-wheat are the principal crops raised; beans and peas are also cultivated. The rearing of live stock is well attended to, and there are extensive meadows and pasture-grounds, as well as unenclosed heaths and commons. The horses are of excellent breed; and they, as well as the mules, sheep, horned cattle, and swine, are very numerous. There are extensive vineyards, but only ordinary red wine is obtained here. Forests occupy a great part of the hills, consisting in the upper parts of pine and birch, and further down of oak, chestnut, and walnut trees. Many of the inhabitants are employed in mining and in working iron, which is the most important production of the country. There are also manufactures of coarse woollen and linen cloth, paper, leather, glass, pottery, and nails. Commerce is facilitated by numerous roads, and by a railway that traverses the department. The capital is Limoges; and there are four arrondissements as follows:—