a department in the north of France, lying along the straits of Calais. Its territorial extent is 1,331,719 arpent, or 1,650,000 acres, or 2,380 square miles. The population in 1800 was 566,061, and in 1817 it was 580,457. The contributions in 1802 were 4,558,519 francs. The climate of this department is cold and moist, and the soil is not very fertile. It produces corn, tobacco, hemp, flax, and wool. There are coal mines and quarries of various kinds. The manufactures, which are chiefly of woollens, are but inconsiderable. Arras is the chief town. The department contains 6 sub-prefectures, 43 cantons, and 953 communes.