a department in the east of France, forming part of the ancient Lorraine. It takes its name from Mount Vosges, which forms its eastern boundary. It is traversed by the upper branches of the Moselle. The soil of this department is poor in the hilly parts, but tolerably fertile in the plains. It produces vines, though not to a great extent. There are mines of iron, copper, lead, and silver, and quarries of marble. The manufactures are trifling. The extent of the department is 587,955 hectares, and the population in 1817 was 334,169. Epinal is the chief town.