or Pyrenees, are the mountains which divide France from Spain, and are the most celebrated in Europe, except the Alps. They reach from the Mediterranean sea as far as the ocean, and are about 212 miles in length. They have different names, according to the different places wherein they stand. Mount Perdu, the highest of the Pyrenees, has an elevation of 1763 French toises, or 11,270 English feet.

Pyrenees, Lower, a department of France, lying at the foot of the Western Pyrenees. The country is beautifully diversified with mountains, valleys, forests, and wastes. The soil is better adapted for pasturage than tillage; but barley, wheat, oats, and maize, and vines, are cultivated; and there are mines of iron, copper, cobalt, with coal, slate, and marble. There are manufactories of coarse cloth, druggets, hosiery, linen, dainty, cotton yarn, &c. The superficial extent of this department is 755,950 hectares. The population in 1817 was 383,502; and the contributions for the year 1822 amounted to 1,523,760 francs. Pau is the chief town.

Pyrenees, Upper, a department in the south of France, lying at the foot of the mountains of the same name. The surface of the ground is mountainous, and feeds great numbers of cattle and sheep. Rye and barley are raised, but little wheat. Vines, mulberries, and flax are also cultivated. There are in the department 45 lead mines, 13 of iron, and 9 of copper, few of which however are wrought. It has few manufactures. Its territorial extent is 469,915 hectares; and the population in 1817 was 198,763. The contributions for 1822 amounted to 893,637 francs. Tarbes is the chief town.

Pyrenees, Eastern, a department in the south of France, at the eastern extremity of the mountains whose name it bears. The soil, though mountainous, produces corn, wine, oil, barley, flax, hemp, and legumes. Irrigation is practised here, and the lands to which it is applied yield two or three crops a-year. Oranges, lemons, and pomegranates are also produced here. There are many mines of iron; besides some of copper, lead, and coal. Wood is scarce. There are few manufactures. The extent of this department is 411,376 hectares. The population in 1817 was 126,625. Perpignan is the chief town.