Calvados

Calvados, a French department in Lower Normandy, is bounded on the N. by the English Channel, east by Eure, S. by Orne, and W. by Manche. Its surface covering an area of over 2,000 square miles, comprises extensive plains and fertile valleys. Along the coast is a dangerous ridge of rocks called Calvados, after the Salvador, one of the vessels of the Spanish Armada wrecked here. From this circumstance the whole department was named. Its chief rivers are the Touques, Orne, Dives, Seulles, Divonne, and Vire; and chief towns, Caen, Bayeux, Falaise, Honfleur, Lisieux, and Trouville. Its principal products are coal, marble, firestone, corn, and fruit. Rich pastures also abound, cattle, sheep, horses, and hogs being reared.