Garonne
HAUTE, a department in the S. of France, embracing portions of ancient Gascony and Languedoc; area 2,457 square miles, Pop. about 432,000.
It is watered throughout by the Garonne, from which it derives its name, and with in the basin of which it wholly lies.
Occupied in the S. by a branch of the Pyrenean range, the slope of the department and the course of its streams are toward the N. and N. E. Apart from this S. mountainous region, the department is hilly and fertile. The soil in the valleys is remarkably productive, and bears heavy crops of wheat, maize, flax, hemp, potatoes, and rape seed. Orchard fruits and chestnuts are produced in abundance, and the annual yield of wine is over 20,000,000 gallons, two-thirds of which is exported. The chief manufactures are woolen and cotton fabrics, paper and hardware. Capital, Toulouse.