a department in the west of France, forming part of the ancient Maine. It contains a considerable proportion of poor soil and wastes, and the surface is generally hilly. The principal productions are rye, maize, buck wheat, and vines; and there are considerable pastures. The manufactures are considerable, and consist of serges, flannels, druggets, light woollens, cloths of linen and hemp, handkerchiefs, hosiery, laces, paper, iron-ware, glass, soap, &c. The territorial extent of the department is 639,276 hectares: the population in 1817 was 410,380. The contributions in the year 1802 amounted to 3,986,579 francs. Mans is the chief town. The department takes its name from the river Sarthe, which runs through it in a southwest direction, and falls into the Loire near Angers.