a central department of France, embracing the eastern part of the ancient province of Berry and part of Bourbonnais; bounded N. by the department of Loiret, W. by Loire-et-Cher and Indre, S. by Allier, and E. by Nièvre and the Loire. It is situated between N. Lat. 46° 18', and 47° 41', and between E. Long. 1° 50', and 3° 6'. Area 2840 square miles. The surface of the department in general is extremely level, the only elevated districts being on the northern and north-western frontiers, which are skirted by a range of low hills. The principal rivers which traverse it, besides the Cher and its tributaries, are the Grand Sauldre and Petit Sauldre on the N.; but the Loire and Allier, though not falling within the department, drain the eastern districts, and are available for navigation. The Cher itself becomes navigable when it receives the Arnon and Yevre, and the communications of the province are greatly facilitated by the canal Du Berry, which traverses it in all its length, and the lateral canal of the Loire which stretches from Digoin to Briare. With the exception of the Sologne, a sandy and sterile tract in the N.W., the soil is generally fertile, but varies considerably in different localities. The most productive region is that on the E., which belongs to the valley of the Loire; the central districts are tolerably fertile but marshy, being often flooded by the Cher; while in the S. and S.W. there is a considerable extent of dry and fertile land. The department contains a comparatively large extent of pasturage, which has given rise to a considerable trade in horses, cattle, sheep, and wool for the northern markets. Among the agricultural productions hemp holds the first place; but wine, fruits, chestnuts, truffles, &c., are important articles of traffic. Mines of iron and coal are wrought; and marble, millstones, lithographic stones, manganese, gypsum, and porcelain clay are procured in different parts. The smelting of iron-ore and the manufacture of steel and cutlery is carried on to a considerable extent. The other manufactures are of coarse cloth and canvas, cotton and woollen gauze, porcelain, and toys. Cher is comprised in the fifteenth military division, and its tribunals hold of the imperial court of Bourges. It is divided into three arrondissements, cognominal with their capitals, of which the population and subdivision are as follows:

| Arrondissement | Cantons | Communes | Pop. 1851 | |---------------|---------|----------|-----------| | Bourges | 10 | 311 | 120,149 | | Sancerre | 8 | 75 | 77,885 | | St Amand | 11 | 121 | 106,590 |