a department in the northern part of France, between N. Lat. 47.57, and 48.57., and E. Long. 0.44. and 2.0.; being 68 miles in length from N. to S., and varying in breadth from 36 to 56 miles. It is bounded on the N. by the department of Eure, N.E. by Seine-et-Oise, S.E. by Loiret, S. by Loir-et-Cher, and W. by Sarthe and Orne. It is formed out of portions of the old provinces of Orleans, Maine, and Ile-de-France, and has an area of 2361 square miles.

Loir comprises four arrondissements, &c., as follows:

| Arrondissements | Cantons | Communes | Pop. in 1851 | |-----------------|---------|----------|-------------| | Chartres | 8 | 166 | 111,617 | | Châteaudun | 5 | 80 | 65,185 | | Dreux | 7 | 135 | 71,268 | | Nogent-le-Rotrou| 4 | 54 | 46,622 |

24 435 294,892

The surface is generally level, with a few eminences principally in the south and west, but none exceeding 500 feet in height. The principal rivers are the Eure towards the N., and the Loir in the S.; but neither of these is navigable within the department. Small lakes are numerous. The climate is temperate and healthy, and not subject to sudden changes. The soil in the middle and west of the department is the best. It consists, for the most part, of thick layers of gray, yellow, or black clay, intermixed with sand, or of calcareous earth, and is on the whole fertile; but in the S.W., especially in the arrondissement of Nogent, it is sandy and dry, and many tracts of land are so poor as to be uncultivated. The agriculture is better conducted than in most of the departments of France; and the production of the various kinds of corn far exceeds the consumption; great quantities of grain being sent annually to Paris and other places. The wheat is remarkably fine, and is prized on account of its being easily preserved for a long time, and being well adapted for sea voyages. The cows are small, but yield good butter for the supply of Paris, and fat oxen and calves for the markets of Poissy and Sceaux. The sheep are numerous, but not remarkable, except some flocks whose wool has been improved by crosses with the Merino races. Wine is not extensively produced, nor of the best quality; but in some parts there is an abundant supply of apples, from which cider is made as the common drink of the inhabitants. There are some iron mines, and granite, marble, and gypsum quarries. The manufactures are not extensive; but leather, paper, cotton goods of various kinds, serge, flannels, and other coarse woollens, hosiery, hats, caps, household linen, such as sheetings and table linen, and some earthenware, are furnished. The department draws its supply of fuel from its own woods, which cover about one-twelfth part of the whole surface.