Charente

Charente, a French inland department, divided into five arrondissements, and having Angouleme as its capital. Generally level, save where the surface is broken by offshoots from the Limousin Mountains in the north, and by chalk-hills in the south, it is drained by the Charente, the Vienne, and the Dronne. Chestnut forests abound on the hills, and much wine is grown, which is for the most part distilled into brandy. Truffles also are plentiful. Felt, leather, paper, and pottery are the chief manufactures.