a department of France, bounded on the N. by that of Drôme; E. by that of Basses Alpes; S. by that of Bouches-du-Rhône; and W. by that of Gard. Length, from N.W. to S.E., 60 miles; greatest breadth, 38; area, 1373 square miles. The Rhone forms its boundary on the W., and its tributary, the Durance, on the S. The country, thus enclosed between the two rivers, is partly level and partly mountainous, the eastern portion being occupied by various branches of the Alps, and the western forming part of the valley of the Rhone. The mountains of Lure, which separate the departments of Drôme and Hautes Alpes, enter Vaucluse in the N.E., and reach the height of 5500 feet above the sea. Connected with this chain is Mount Ventona, the highest summit in the department, about 6500 feet in height; but the general elevation of the mountains is not more than from 2400 to 3000 feet. The mountainous part of the department is chiefly occupied by calcareous, and partly also by other secondary strata, while the less elevated regions consist of tertiary formations. The only navigable river belonging to the department is the Rhone, which receives here the Lez, Aigne, Ouveze, Nesyne, and Durance, all having a general direction from N.E. to S.W. The last of these, which is the second river in importance, itself receives the Jabron and the Cabavon within the department. The fountain of Vaucluse, celebrated in the poems and letters of Petrarch, who frequently resided here, forms the source of the small river Sorgues. It rises in a cavern between Apt and Avignon, and derives its name from the secluded valley in which it is situated (Valdis Clausa). The poet lived in the small village near it, and sometimes in the old castle of the bishops of Cavaillon, which still goes by his name. The climate of Vaucluse is mild and healthy, but subject to sudden and violent changes, and terrible storms are not unfrequent. The soil is on the whole poor, although some parts are of considerable fertility. Husbandry is in a backward state, and only about half of the land is arable. Rye, barley, wheat, buck-wheat, and maize, are the principal crops raised; and the produce of these is not sufficient to supply the domestic consumption. About one-twelfth of the area is occupied by vineyards, which yield about 9,000,000 gallons of highly esteemed red wines. There is here abundance of various fruits, including almonds, figs, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, and melons; and there are extensive plantations of olives and mulberry trees, on the latter of which great numbers of silkworms are reared. Saffron, madder, aromatic and medicinal plants, are largely cultivated. There is a considerable extent of meadow-land, and of heaths and open pastures, and on these large flocks of sheep are fed. The other domestic animals are not numerous. There are no minerals in the country of any importance. The chief manufactures are those of silk at Avignon and Orange, of woollen cloth, perfumery, confectionery, glass ware, and printing types. These goods, along with wine, brandy, madder, saffron, wax, honey, and wool, form the principal articles of export from the department. Vaucluse is traversed by numerous roads, and by the railway from Lyons to Marseilles. It forms the diocese of Avignon, which is the capital. The department is divided into four arrondissements as follows:

| Arrondissement | Cantons | Communes | Pop. (1866) | |----------------|---------|----------|-------------| | Avignon | 5 | 20 | 81,097 | | Carpentras | 5 | 31 | 56,672 | | Apt | 5 | 50 | 56,025 | | Orange | 7 | 48 | 75,250 | | Total | 22 | 149 | 268,994 |