Cantal
a central department in France, area 2,217 square miles; capital, Aurillac. This department, formerly part of upper Auvergne, is named from its highest mountain, the Plomb du Cantal, 6,094 feet in height. The greater part of it, occupied by the Cantal mountains and highlands, furnishes only timber, archil, and pasture. It is watered by numerous rivers, the principal of which are the Dordogne, Cère, and Lot.
The principal crops are rye, buckwheat, potatoes, chestnuts, hemp, and flax.
Cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and mules are reared in large numbers. Large quantities of cheese ("Auvergne cheese") are made. Hot mineral springs are abundant. Pop. about 225,000.