Creuse

Creuse, a department in the centre of France, deriving its name from its chief river, a tributary of the Vienne. It comprises the old province of Haute Marche, with parts of Berry and Limousin, and has an area of 2,150 square miles. Most of the surface is mountainous, and only adapted to the rearing of sheep and cattle. Chestnuts, fruits, potatoes, and barley are the chief vegetable products, and the mountains yield granite, building-stone, and coal in moderate quantities. There are mineral springs at Evaux. Gueret, the chief town, is an insignificant place.